Erwin SchrödingerErwin Rudolf Josef Alexander Schrödinger—or simply Erwin Schrödinger, as he is better known—was an Austrian theoretical physicist renowned for his contributions to quantum mechanics, particularly the Schrödinger equation, for which he received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1933.Erwin SchrödingerIn 1935, Schrödinger proposed the thought experiment known as Schrödinger's Cat. I will explain this thought experiment in two ways:- to a 5-year-old child;- then, by presenting the elements proposed in the experiment.Imagine a closed box containing a toy kitten and a small machine that has a 50% chance of releasing a small ball of paint—or not. According to the laws of everyday physics:- the ball dropped and the cat is covered in paint, OR- it didn't drop and the cat is perfectly clean.Note that in the microscopic world (of quantum physics), things work in a very wild way: as long as no one opens the box to look, the cat exists in a "mixed" state—meaning it is both clean and covered in paint at the same time.Now, for adults. Schrödinger devised a hypothetical situation to demonstrate the limitations of the interpretation of quantum mechanics at the time:- the closed box: a cat is placed inside a sealed steel box, making external observation impossible;- the lethal mechanism: inside the box, there is a vial of poison, a hammer, a Geiger counter, and a small amount of radioactive material;- the quantum element: the radioactive material has a 50% chance of emitting radiation within an hour and a 50% chance of not doing so;- the outcome: if radiation occurs, the Geiger counter triggers the hammer, breaking the poison vial, and the cat dies. If not, the cat lives.The experiment proposed by SchrödingerWhat does this prove? Schrödinger created this story (which is merely a thought experiment—no actual cat was used!) to demonstrate that the idea was absurd.In fact, Schrödinger wanted to critique other scientists of the time and show that the rules governing the microscopic world (atoms) cannot be directly applied to our real, macroscopic world—to large objects like a cat. In real life, a cat cannot exist in two different states—alive and dead—simultaneously simply because we aren't looking inside the box. He was trying to prove that the quantum theory of the time still had "holes" or contained concepts that were very strange to explain.This thought experiment by Erwin Schrödinger is the central theme of today’s review: Schrödinger’s Katzen, which also plays around with two other elements:- it alludes to a host of famous physicists, astronomers, mathematicians, cosmologists, and astrophysicists;- it plays with Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle.Game characters and their real names and activities:- Cecilia Pounce-Gatoschkin: Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin (Astronomer, discovered the composition of stars);- Maria Goeoppert-Meower: Maria Goeppert Mayer (Theoretical physicist, Nobel Prize for the atomic shell model);- Marie Purrie: Marie Curie (Physicist and chemist, pioneer in the study of radioactivity);- Michael Felidae: Michael Faraday (Physicist and chemist, electromagnetism and electrochemistry);- Richard Feyncat: Richard Feynman (Theoretical physicist, quantum mechanics and electrodynamics);- Sally Prride: Sally Ride (Physicist and astronaut, first American woman in space);- Sir Isaac Mewton: Sir Isaac Newton (Mathematician and physicist, laws of motion and gravitation);- Albert Felinestein: Albert Einstein (Theoretical physicist, Theory of Relativity);- Stephen Pawking: Stephen Hawking (Theoretical physicist and cosmologist, black holes and the origin of the universe); and- Neil deGrasse Tabby: Neil deGrasse Tyson (Astrophysicist and contemporary science communicator).Finally, the game even flirts with the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle; after all, Schrödinger's Cat was conceived to illustrate the consequences of the interpretation that reality is only defined when measured, and the Heisenberg Principle establishes the limits of such measurement.The Heisenberg Principle essentially states that you cannot know everything about something simultaneously: you know either one thing or the other. Today's reviewed game plays with this concept as well!Let's take a look at Schrödinger's Katzen!Schrödinger's Katzen - Game InfoSchrödinger's Katzen is a game for 2 to 6 players, ages 14 and up, by designers Christopher O'Neill, Heather O'Neill, and Heather Wilson. The artwork is by James Stowe.Game BoxSchrödinger's KAtzen was released in 2015 by 9th Level Games and in Brazil in 2025 via MeepleBR Jogos. Its main mechanics are player elimination, push-your-luck, betting, and bluffing.Game ComponentsPlaying the GameWe are famous feline physicists—the "Physicats"—such as "Albert Felinestein," "Marie Purrre," or "Stephen Meowking"! As Physicats, we conduct experiments, form hypotheses, and try to join forces on each other's research (or not)! We can use our unique special abilities to help prove our hypothesis—or at least blow someone else's chances. On each turn, a Physicat attempts to determine the minimum number of live cats, dead cats, or empty boxes among all the boxes in Schrödinger's lab.It is a fast-paced, fun, and pseudoscientific game of strategic uncertainty involving betting, bluffing, and deduction.That is the premise of Schrödinger's Katzen!In the game, the big question is: what’s in the box—a live cat or a dead cat? This question was raised by physicist Erwin Schrödinger in his famous thought experiment, and now you can investigate it too! In your case, there might even be a third option: the box could be empty.Before setup, it is important to get to know the cards and other key game components so we can familiarize ourselves with everything and enjoy the game even more.The game features several types of Box Cards:- Alive Cat: green background;- Dead Cat: gray background;- Empty Box: brown background;- Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle (or Heisenberg, for short): purple background.Box CardsAll box cards show one of three quantum states:- a live cat;- a dead cat;- an empty box—that is, no cat.Heisenberg Cards are special cards that count as any of the three quantum states; specifically, a Heisenberg card always takes on the quantum state of the current claim.Heisenberg CardFor example, if you make a claim about alive cats, each Heisenberg counts as an alive cat. If, on a subsequent turn, you or another player make a claim about dead cats, each Heisenberg then counts as a dead cat, and so on. That is why the card features a question mark.In the game, we will make claims or express doubts about what is—or isn't—in the box. To do this, we will use a board to indicate our opinion or challenge other players.The ClipboardThen there are the Physicat cards. Each card has a special ability that can be used only once per game, during your own turn. You decide when to use it. Keep your Physicat face down in front of you until you use its special ability; at that point, you reveal it.A Few of the PhysicatsAfter using your Physicat's ability, leave it face-up next to the clipboard. During the game, you will create a row of face-up Physicats. This is because some Physicats interact with previously played ones.Now that you have this information, we are ready for setup:- place the Clipboard in the center of the table and keep the statement marker nearby;- shuffle all the Box Cards and deal 6 cards face-down to each player for the 1st round. In each subsequent round, deal one fewer card than in the previous round: in the 2nd round, each player gets 5 cards; in the 3rd round, 4 cards; and so on;- the remaining cards form a face-down draw pile. Leave space next to it for a face-down discard pile;- each player takes 1 random Physicat face-down and places it in front of them. You may look at your Physic-Cat at any time, but do not let other players see it;- reveal 1 of the remaining Physicats and place it face-up near the clipboard;- the other Physicats will not be used in this game: put them back in the game box without looking at which ones they were.4-Player SetupThe person who most recently saw a cat in a box begins the first round.A game of Schrödinger's Katzen lasts several rounds. Each round begins with the starting player announcing the total number of Box Cards for the current round—that is, the total number of cards dealt. This is crucial, as it represents the maximum number of Box Cards in play for the round and will serve as the benchmark for claims and challenges.That same player then begins their turn, with two possible actions available to them:- Action 1: make a claim- Action 2: doubt the current claim.If you choose Action 1, make a claim regarding the minimum number of Box Cards in the current round that must show a specific quantum state. Your claim can refer to alive cats, dead cats, or empty boxes, but never to Heisenbergs.Take a good look at the cards in your hand and consider what the other players might be holding. Choose one of the three quantum states and state clearly and loudly that you believe at least "this many cards" of that specific quantum state are in play.An Example ClaimMake your claim by placing the marker in the corresponding space on the Board: green numbers indicate alive cats, while gray ones indicate dead cats, and brown ones represent empty boxes. They follow the cards' background colors.After the first claim, each subsequent claim must be at least one step higher than the previous one on the Board's track—meaning you must increase the claim. However, keep in mind: the new claims do not need to refer to the same quantum state as the previous claim.Increasing a ClaimNote from the previous image that to advance a claim, you must move the marker at least one step along the red thread toward the ball of yarn in the center. You may skip spaces, but you cannot move backward or leave the marker on its current space.Whenever you make a claim, you may show proof to substantiate it. Reveal as many cards from your hand as you wish that match the quantum state of your claim and place them face-up in front of you. You may always reveal Heisenberg cards, as they are valid for all claims.Showing ProofTake note: proof cards remain on the table until the end of the current round!Optionally, if you reveal cards from your hand as proof, you may swap out Box cards still in your hand for new cards from the draw pile. The number of cards you revealed as proof determines the maximum number of cards you can exchange.First, take the cards you wish to exchange from your hand and place them face down in the discard pile. Then, take that same number of cards from the draw pile and add them to your hand.Swapping Out Hand CardsHere's another important detail: you can only swap cards if you have shown proof during the same turn! Also, note that the total number of Box Cards in play for the round does not change when you show proof, or swap cards. If the draw pile runs out, you can no longer swap cards.Oh, and don't forget your Physicat: it has a special ability that can be used only once per game, on your own turn. Use it strategically.Finally, regarding Action 2: if you doubt the current claim, the round ends and the check takes place as follows:- everyone reveals the cards in their hands to check the current claim;- if you are right, you continue playing;- if you are wrong, you are eliminated.Count all the cards that apply to the current claim and compare that number to what was claimed. Don't forget to count the Heisenbergs! There are two possible outcomes:- there are fewer cards than claimed: the person who made the claim was wrong.- there are at least as many cards as claimed: the person who doubted the claim was wrong.For example: it is Maria's turn; she has 4 alive cats and 2 dead cats in her hand. Maria doubts that there are actually 6 empty boxes in play for the current round. She declares: "I doubt the current claim."An example of Doubting the Current ClaimNow, everyone reveals the cards in their hands. Note from the previous image that 5 empty boxes and 2 Heisenbergs are revealed, totaling 7. So, José’s claim that there were “at least” 6 empty boxes was correct; therefore, Maria was wrong. She is eliminated from the game!If you are eliminated from the game without having used your Physicat's ability, you must place it in the face-up Physicat row immediately upon leaving the game.For the next round—if the current claim was doubted and checked—shuffle all the Box Cards. The game continues with one fewer player and one fewer card in each player's hand, and the marker is reset on the board. The player who was correct after the claim check in the previous round starts the next round.Otherwise—that is, if the current claim was not doubted—it is now the player to the left's turn to act.That is how a turn and a round of Schrödinger’s Katzen goes!Ending the GameThe number of rounds depends on the number of players. Keep playing until only one player remains.That player wins the game!Strategy TipsSchrödinger's Katzen is all about making bold claims, doubting others, and bluffing. It’s that simple! There are two clear, distinct strategic paths to take:- making a claim based on what you do have;- making a claim based on what you don't have.These strategies are truly distinct. The first—claiming based on what you have—basically involves making a claim about a quantum state represented by the cards currently in your hand. In other words, you hold Box Cards matching the claimed quantum state and want to pursue that line of play, betting on what you already possess. It’s straightforward, honest, and valid.I only recommend this strategy when the majority of your Box Cards match the quantum state you’ve claimed. Then, you simply present a piece of evidence or two and swap out the Box Cards in your hand that don't match the claimed state, aiming to draw more cards of the type you’re claiming.If you choose the other strategy—claiming based on what you don't have—you’re engaging in a classic bluff. But why would you do that? What’s the strategy behind it? It’s simple: make a claim regarding a quantum state for which you hold no Box Cards, then wait for someone else to raise the stakes on that same state before you doubt them.This ensures that—since you don't actually hold Box Cards for the declared quantum state—the total quantity in play is likely lower than the amount being claimed. Then, you just wait for someone to "take the bait" and raise, or you doubt a raise made by someone else. That is the ultimate bluff!It is common for players to switch strategies, as the game is highly dynamic. There is no harm in doing so; in fact, adapting to the claims being made is crucial for deciding when to make a claim or doubt one. You might even hold a Physicat card that either supports or undermines your current strategy, so adapting makes perfect sense.Speaking of which, never overlook the Physicats—they are the icing on the cake. Remember that they can only be used on your turn and are excellent allies when you want to doubt someone, as their abilities truly make a difference. Revealing a Physicat while doubting a claim can create a fantastic "plot twist" during the game.Another very useful card is Heisenberg. It offers greater flexibility, as it adopts the last declared quantum state, greatly aiding your claims. However, be careful: if you hold Heisenberg cards and someone changes the claim, your cards will adopt that new quantum state. You then have two options:- keep the Heisenbergs in hand and raise the quantum claim;- get rid of the Heisenbergs to avoid supporting a different quantum claim.Never lose sight of the number of cards currently in play for the round, as they set the parameters for the claims. It is also helpful to keep in mind the total number of each card type in the game (something heavy gamers love):- 20 Alive Cat cards;- 20 Dead Cat cards;- 8 Empty Box cards;- 4 Heisenberg cards.With this in mind, stay alert to the claims in the game, devise your best strategy, make confident claims, bluff, use your Physicat's abilities, doubt when you are certain, and win at Schrödinger's Katzen.Rules and Gameplay VideosRules:Gameplay:Pedagogical TipsIf you’re looking for a game that will capture kids' attention—one that’s easy to teach and play, fun, and guaranteed to spark plenty of laughter—then Schrödinger's Katzen is the game for you!The game’s cat-themed artwork is a huge hit with kids; it’s beautiful, colorful, and cheerful, and they really love it.Throughout the game, kids experience that exciting "good kind of tension." After all, making a claim or doubting someone else involves important decisions—because if you doubt and get it wrong, you’re eliminated. It teaches valuable lessons about consequences. The game prepares them for real life!Of course, all of this is presented in a lighthearted and funny way; player elimination often leads to giggles or cheers when someone successfully pulls off a doubt.Over time, they’ll adapt to the game and learn to bluff, making matches even more fun. After all, bluffing while trying to hide a tell—like a smile—is a real challenge for kids.Kids will get a thrill out of using their "Physicat" ability on their turn, surprising everyone at the table. These are moments worth remembering.Schrödinger's Katzen offers all this, but beyond the fun, it gives kids the chance to exercise important skills, namely:- resource management: handling their cards and quantities;- strategy: weighing whether to make a claim or issue a challenge;- decision-making: choosing the right strategy and deciding whether or not to use the Physicat;- logical-mathematical reasoning: constantly calculating quantities.From an educational standpoint, Schrödinger's Katzen addresses resource management and fosters strategy, decision-making, and logical-mathematical reasoning—all while being entertaining!I highly recommend Schrödinger's Katzen in your collection!
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