Paws Up
Paws Up at your next game night?
Add Paws Up to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
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- Designer Reiner Knizia
- Publisher Pegasus Spiele , Hobby Japan
- Illustration Stephan Lorenz
The description, FAQ and assessments for this game were generated with the help of artificial intelligence from the game data and reviewed editorially. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
What to Expect
Players act as pet influencers collecting ‘paws’ by assembling photo and story cards. Each round three cards are revealed; all players simultaneously choose and reveal a card from their hand. The highest revealed card swaps with one of the open cards, then the next highest swaps, and so on. When you hold a qualifying set (three same animals, same paw value, or same environment), you can claim a visible trophy that decreases in value over time.
Who Is This Game For?
Paws Up suits families and casual gamers who enjoy short games (~30 minutes). With a minimum age of 8, it’s easy to learn but demands quick simultaneous decisions and an eye for set collection. It works well as a filler or a light addition to a game night.
How It Works
Core mechanics include Auction/Bidding-style selection via Selection Order Bid, Connections and Set Collection. Each round exposes three open cards; players simultaneously pick a hand card and reveal it. In order of card strength players exchange their played card with an open card. Valid combinations in hand allow you to claim trophies. Trophy values fall over time while card values shift as decks change.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Reiner Knizia, Paws Up fuses simultaneous hand selection with order-based swapping and visible trophies in a compact 30-minute game. The theme focuses on Animals and Photography, with explicit references to Cats, Dogs and Hamsters in the family tags.
Pro
- Short playtime (~30 minutes) — good as a filler.
- Simultaneous selection accelerates gameplay and interaction.
- Set Collection combined with Selection Order Bid yields tactical choices.
- Designed by Reiner Knizia — experienced game designer.
Contra
- May feel light for heavier strategy players.
- Simultaneous decisions can be challenging for younger or inexperienced players.
Setting & atmosphere
The setting is modern pet influencers and photography; cards represent animals and environments. Categories list Animals and Card Game—no additional setting is implied.
Tips for beginners
Focus on clear set goals (animal type, value, or environment) and watch the open cards to time beneficial swaps.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
No. The game is designed for 2–5 players.
How long does a game really take?
Playtime is about 30 minutes; including setup and explanation it’s suitable as a quick filler.
What prior experience do I need?
Little prior experience — mechanics are accessible, but simultaneous choices reward practice.
How does this compare to similar games?
Paws Up pairs simultaneous hand selection with order-based swapping and visible trophies, putting emphasis on timing rather than only accumulation.
Is this suitable for families?
Yes. Minimum age 8 and a short duration make it family-friendly.
What mechanic makes it special?
The blend of simultaneous selection, Selection Order Bid and Set Collection defines its gameplay.
Fazit
Paws Up is a tactical, quick card game for 2–5 players that fits family gaming and filler slots. If you like simultaneous choices and set collection, it’s worth checking out.
Paws Up at your next game night?
Add Paws Up to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add Paws Up to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
