Stack Rush or Crazy Mau?
Both games come with Gather. Here’s how they differ and when each one fits better.
The key differences
- From 7 players on, only Crazy Mau works: it goes up to 8 players, Stack Rush only up to 6.
- Crazy Mau is over sooner: usually 5–15 minutes, while Stack Rush takes 20–40 minutes.
- Stack Rush rewards skill more than Crazy Mau (skill and luck vs. lots of luck).
- Crazy Mau is louder than Stack Rush (lively vs. calm).
- Crazy Mau is quicker to learn than Stack Rush (explained in a minute vs. quick to learn).
- Crazy Mau has more interaction than Stack Rush (you react to each other vs. little contact).
At a glance
| At a glance | Stack Rush | Crazy Mau |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Card games | Card games |
| Players | 2–6 players | 2–8 players |
| Length of a game | 20–40 min | 5–15 min |
| Age | ages 7+ | ages 6+ |
| Luck or skill | skill and luck | lots of luck |
| Noise level | calm | lively |
| Learning curve | quick to learn | explained in a minute |
| Interaction | little contact | 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?
Stack Rush
A card game about laying cards in the right order: everyone builds the same four piles from 1 to 12, but each of you only wants to empty your own stock. The fun is in long turns where one card frees up the next.
Pick Stack Rush when two to six people want a relaxed card game with something to puzzle over.
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 work for 2–6 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 work from age 7.
- Both come free with Gather and need no account.