The key differences
- From 3 players on, only Crazy Mau works: it goes up to 8 players, Checkers only up to 2.
- Checkers rewards skill more than Crazy Mau (pure skill vs. lots of luck).
- Crazy Mau is louder than Checkers (lively vs. silent).
- Crazy Mau is quicker to learn than Checkers (explained in a minute vs. clear after one round).
- Crazy Mau is over sooner: usually 5–15 minutes, while Checkers takes 10–25 minutes.
- In Crazy Mau everyone has secret information on their phone; in Checkers more is out in the open.
- Crazy Mau is one of the Card games, Checkers one of the Board and dice games.
At a glance
| At a glance | Crazy Mau | Checkers |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Card games | Board and dice games |
| Players | 2–8 players | 2 players |
| Length of a game | 5–15 min | 10–25 min |
| Age | ages 6+ | ages 6+ |
| Luck or skill | lots of luck | pure skill |
| Noise level | lively | silent |
| Learning curve | explained in a minute | clear after one round |
| 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?
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.
Checkers
Pieces move diagonally, captures are made by jumping, and capturing is compulsory. That rule is what makes it sneaky: use it well and you can lure your opponent into traps.
Pick Checkers when two people want a board duel with more traps than Nine Men’s Morris.
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.