Gather

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.

  • 2–8 players
  • 5–15 min
  • ages 6+
  • works without a TV
  • vs. computer

Be the first to get rid of all your cards.

Gather on iPad: Crazy MauGather on iPhone: Crazy Mau

How it works

  1. Play a card with the same symbol, number or special type. Wish cards always fit – you then pick a symbol.
  2. If you can't or don't want to play, draw a card. If it fits, you may play it right away.
  3. +2 and +4 stack: whoever can't add to the stack draws the total and skips their turn.
  4. Skip jumps over the next player, Reverse turns the order around (with two players it works like Skip).
  5. Call “Mau!” before you play your second-to-last card. Forgetting costs 2 penalty cards.

Good to know

  • On a +4, a +2 only fits in the wished symbol.
  • Save a wish card for the end.

On the TV and on your phone

What you see and tap, where and when – step by step:

  1. Choose Crazy Mau
  2. Join and start
  3. Play a card
  4. Wish for a symbol

How to play Crazy Mau with Gather

What makes Crazy Mau work

  • Up to eight people can play, kids and grandparents at the same table.
  • Stacked +2 and +4 cards bring plenty of gleeful groans.
  • Forget to call “Mau!” and you draw two penalty cards – the app keeps track.

Pick Crazy Mau when a mixed group wants to start right away and nobody wants to read rules.

Skip it when you want a game where planning matters more than the hand you’re dealt.

Frequently asked questions

Can you play a +2 on a +4 in Crazy Mau?

Only in the symbol the player of the +4 wished for. The other way round always works: you can put a +4 on any open +2 or +4, and the total keeps growing.

Can you play a regular wish card on an open draw penalty?

No. While a draw penalty is open, only +2 and +4 fit – otherwise you draw the whole total and miss your turn.

Can I go out with a special card as my last card?

Yes. In Gather you can finish with any card, including a wish card or a +4. Some house rules forbid that – not here.

When do I have to call “Mau!”?

When you have two cards and play one of them – tap “Mau” before or while playing it. If you forget, you get two penalty cards as soon as the next action happens.

Does Gather play Crazy Mau with a regular deck of cards?

No. Gather uses its own 104-card deck: four symbols (Sun, Moon, Leaf, Wave) numbered 1 to 9, plus Skip, Reverse, +2, Wish and Wish +4. House rules that give sevens, eights or jacks special powers don’t apply.

Can I play a card right after drawing it?

Yes, if it fits – but only that card. After drawing you can play it or keep it; you can’t play any other card from your hand that turn.

Variants and house rules

Gather plays by the rules above. Anything you can set in the app is marked – the rest are agreements you make at the table.

With computer opponents setting in Gather

With only two players, Crazy Mau gets samey fast. In the mode with computer opponents the app fills empty seats and +2 chains get exciting again. Also good for practising alone.

Penalty points over several games table agreement

Losers count the cards left in their hand; after five games, whoever has the fewest wins. That rewards close losses too. Keep the running total on a piece of paper.

Two against two table agreement

With four players, partners sit opposite each other: if either of you goes out, the team wins. Gather scores each game for individuals, so you agree on the team result at the table – and no talking about cards.

Good for

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