The key differences
- From 3 players on, only Crazy Mau works: it goes up to 8 players, Chess only up to 2.
- Crazy Mau is quicker to learn than Chess (explained in a minute vs. takes experience).
- Chess rewards skill more than Crazy Mau (pure skill vs. lots of luck).
- Crazy Mau is louder than Chess (lively vs. silent).
- Crazy Mau is over sooner: usually 5–15 minutes, while Chess takes 10–40 minutes.
- In Crazy Mau everyone has secret information on their phone; in Chess more is out in the open.
- Chess is one of the Board and dice games, Crazy Mau one of the Card games.
At a glance
| At a glance | Chess | Crazy Mau |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Board and dice games | Card games |
| Players | 2 players | 2–8 players |
| Length of a game | 10–40 min | 5–15 min |
| Age | ages 6+ | ages 6+ |
| Luck or skill | pure skill | lots of luck |
| Noise level | silent | lively |
| Learning curve | takes experience | explained in a minute |
| Interaction | you react to each other | you react to each other |
| TV | not needed | not needed |
| Against the computer | yes | yes |
| Teams | no | no |
| Bluffing | no | no |
| Reading needed | no | no |
Which one suits you?
Chess
Two players, one board, no luck: whoever plans better wins. With a clock it turns into a race against time; without one there’s room to think things through.
Pick Chess when two people want a calm, focused game.
Crazy Mau
The classic card game with action cards: match suit or number, stack penalty cards and play your wild card at just the right moment. Quick to explain, quick to play, and mean enough to stay interesting.
Pick Crazy Mau when a mixed group wants to start right away and nobody wants to read rules.
What they have in common
- Both only work with exactly 2 players.
- Both also work without a TV, right on iPhone, iPad or Mac.
- You can play both against the computer.
- Both work from age 6.
- Both come free with Gather and need no account.