Crazy Mau or Thirty-One?
Both games come with Gather. Here’s how they differ and when each one fits better.
The key differences
- From 9 players on, only Thirty-One works: it goes up to 9 players, Crazy Mau only up to 8.
- Thirty-One rewards skill more than Crazy Mau (skill and luck vs. lots of luck).
- Crazy Mau is over sooner: usually 5–15 minutes, while Thirty-One takes 10–20 minutes.
- Crazy Mau is quicker to learn than Thirty-One (explained in a minute vs. quick to learn).
- Crazy Mau works from age 6, we recommend Thirty-One from 8.
At a glance
| At a glance | Crazy Mau | Thirty-One |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Card games | Card games |
| Players | 2–8 players | 2–9 players |
| Length of a game | 5–15 min | 10–20 min |
| Age | ages 6+ | ages 8+ |
| Luck or skill | lots of luck | skill and luck |
| Noise level | lively | lively |
| Learning curve | explained in a minute | quick to learn |
| 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.
Thirty-One
Three cards in your hand, three in the middle: swap until one suit gets as close to 31 as you can. Whoever knocks ends the round – and the worst hand then loses a life.
Pick Thirty-One when a bigger group wants a fast card game with a bit of a thrill.
What they have in common
- Both work for 2–8 players.
- Both are Card games.
- Both also work without a TV, right on iPhone, iPad or Mac.
- You can play both against the computer.
- In both, everyone has secret information on their own phone.
- Both come free with Gather and need no account.