Last Updated on April 18, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

The exact origin of this unique two-player card game Cuttle is unknown. Dating back to at least the 1970s, it is the earliest known example of a combat card game. The goal is to be the first player to build a layout worth at least 21 points. Cards can be used for their point value or to attack an opponent’s layout by destroying or capturing cards.

It shares similarities to modern commercial combat card games such as Magic: The Gathering.

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How to Play Cuttle

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Players and Cards

Cuttle is played by two players using a standard 52-card deck without jokers.

Goal

The objective is to be the first to accumulate 21 or more points in point cards on your side of the table. The first player to achieve this wins.

Setup

• Each player receives a hand of concealed cards.
• The dealer deals six cards to themselves and five to their opponent.
• The remaining deck is placed face down as the draw pile.
• The dealer’s opponent takes the first turn.

During the game, players place cards face up on the table in front of them, forming their layout. Discarded cards go into the scrap pile, a face-up stack beside the draw pile where only the top card is visible.

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Gameplay

Turn Actions

On your turn, you must perform exactly one of the following actions:

• Draw a card from the draw pile.
• Play a point card from your hand.
• Play a one-off effect card from your hand.
• Play a permanent effect card from your hand.

The turn then passes to your opponent.

Running Out of Cards

If the draw pile is empty, players may pass instead of drawing. If there are three consecutive passes, the game ends in a draw.

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Card Types and Usage

1. Point Cards

• Cards Ace through 10 can be played as point cards.
• Aces are worth 1 point, while other number cards are worth their face value.
• There are two ways to play a point card:
  1. As a point card: Played face up in your layout, contributing to your total points.
  2. As a scuttle: Used to remove an opponent’s point card from the table. The scuttle card must be of higher value, or of equal value but in a higher suit. Suit rankings (low to high) are: Clubs < Diamonds < Hearts < Spades.

2. One-Off Effect Cards

• Cards Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9 can be played as one-off effects.
• These cards are immediately discarded to the scrap pile after use.

3. Permanent Effect Cards

• Cards 8, Jack, Queen, and King serve as permanent effects.
• These remain in play until removed.
• The 8 is placed sideways to distinguish it from point cards.

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One-Off Effects

• Ace – Scrap all point cards on the table.
• 2 – Scrap any permanent effect card OR block an opponent’s one-off effect.
• 3 – Retrieve a card of choice from the scrap pile.
• 4 – Opponent discards two cards of their choice.
• 5 – Draw two cards.
• 6 – Scrap all permanent effect cards on the table.
• 7 – Draw and immediately play a card. If unplayable, discard it.
• 9 – Return a permanent effect card to its owner’s hand.

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Permanent Effects

• 8 – Opponent must play with their hand revealed.
• Jack – Transfers control of a point card to the opponent.
• Queen – Protects all point and permanent cards (except itself) from being targeted.
• King – Reduces the points required to win:
  • No kings: 21 points.
  • One king: 14 points.
  • Two kings: 10 points.
  • Three kings: 7 points.
  • Four kings: 5 points.

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Cuttle Variants

Fours (Greg Pallis Variant)

When a 4 is played, the two discarded cards should be chosen at random instead of by the opponent.

Eights (Daniel Goers Variant)

An 8 can be played as a one-off effect to scrap another 8 on the table.

Nines (Various Suggestions)

• Standard Rule: Nines are weak since the opponent can immediately replay the removed card.
• Suggested Rule: When a 9 is played, the opponent must wait at least one turn before replaying the removed card.
• Reddit Variant: The removed card is placed on top of the draw pile instead of returned to the opponent’s hand.

Tens (Daniel Goers Variant)

A 10 can be used to block a scuttle. Both the 10 and the scuttle card are scrapped, while the targeted point card remains.

Queens (Reddit Variant)

If you have two queens, they protect each other as well as all other permanent cards.

Joker (Daniel Goers Variant)

A single Joker can be added to the deck. When played, both players must exchange hands.

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Key Points from the Original FAQ:

Endgame: If the deck is exhausted, players pass instead of drawing. Three consecutive passes result in a draw.

Objective: Be the first to reach 21 points in point cards.

Setup: The dealer gives six cards to themselves and five to their opponent. The opponent goes first.

Turn Actions: Play a card or draw one. If a player has 21 points at the end of their turn, they win.

Card Functions:

• Point Cards: A-10 can be played for points.
• Scuttle: Use a higher-value card (or equal value but higher suit) to remove an opponent’s point card.
• One-Off Effects: Various numbered cards cause immediate effects when discarded.
• Permanent Effects: Face cards provide ongoing effects until removed.

So that’s the basic rules on how to play the unusual game of Cuttle! We hope this helps!