Ratto Zakko
Ratto Zakko Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Components
The source prints no "Components" heading; this list is the component list from the "Idea of the game" page.
- 5 serving cloches
- 1 Natty Ratty shaker
- 1 "fly" wooden chip
- 40 foodstuffs
- 7 flies
- 7 rats
- 5 serving plates
Preparing to play
The 5 serving plates are placed in a circle in the middle of the table. The serving cloches in the right colours are then placed on top of the serving plates.
At the start of the game, the wooden chip with the fly is hidden under the blue serving cloche with the fish and the black Natty Ratty shaker over the yellow serving cloche which is on top of the cheese.
The 7 rat cards are removed from the pack, since they are not needed for the starter. The rest of the cards are shuffled well. The oldest player is given the pile of cards, face down.
Recommendation from the establishment
Head waiter Natty Ratty recommends newcomers to choose the starter. Hungry, experience guests might do better with a main course. The dessert, on the other hand, is the dish of the day for regulars and professionals!
Starter to start with
The player whose turn it is turns over the top card so that all players can see it at the same time. Now, at the speed of light, you try to grab the right serving cloche or shout out the right one.
Grabbing
A foodstuff is dealt: If a foodstuff is depicted on the card, the serving cloche with the right foodstuff is grabbed.
Please note: the colour of the foodstuff is irrelevant. Only the foodstuff itself is important.
Example: the active player turns the blue cheese over. All players immediately make a grab for the yellow serving cloche over the cheese.
A fly is dealt: If the pesky fly is illustrated on the card, the serving cloche which covers the wooden chip with the fly is grabbed at.
Example: All the players immediately grab at the serving cloche the fly is hiding under.
Shouting out instead of making a grab
A foodstuff is dealt and the fly is sitting underneath the serving cloche: If a foodstuff is illustrated on the card and the fly is sitting underneath the appropriate serving cloche, DON'T grab at the shaker: instead, shout out "Fly" loudly.
Example: the active player turns over a green chili. However, the fly is hiding underneath the red serving cloche with the chili. The players DON'T make a grab for the red "chili cloche" – instead they shout out "Fly" loudly.
**A foodstuff is dealt and Natty Ratty is sitting on top of the serving cloche: If a foodstuff is illustrated on the card and the Natty Ratty shaker is sitting on the desired serving cloche, ALWAYS shout out "Rat" loudly.
Example: the active player turns over a fish: however, the black Natty Ratty shaker is covering the blue serving cloche with the fish. The players DON'T grab for the Natty Ratty shaker – instead, they shout out "Rat" loudly.
Fly alert: If the fly is also sitting underneath the Natty Ratty shaker, DON'T shout out "Fly" – shout out "Rat" too.
The person to grab the card or the quickest one to shout out gets to keep the card as a reward and is given the pack of cards for dealing the next card.
As soon as a "Fly/Rat" is grabbed or shouted out, the winner of the round can replace the fly or the Natty Ratty shaker as they like. Otherwise, the game continues as usual.
Error!
Each player only gets one try. If, however...
- ... the wrong serving cloche is grabbed...
- ... or an incorrect thing is shouted out...
- ... or grabbed, although you should be shouting out (and the other way round)...
- ... or shouted out AND grabbed,
a card already won as a reward (if you have any) has to be returned. These card(s) is/are given to the player who made a correct grab or shouted out the first.
If nobody makes a correct grab or shouts out correctly or if 2 or more players make a correct grab or shout out at the same time, the dealt card and, if applicable, the wrong card(s) in this round is/are put to the side in a "jackpot". This/these are given to the winner of the next round.
The main course for the hungry and experienced
The 7 rat cards are added to the pack of cards and the cards are shuffled for the main course. Play the game as described under "Starter".
Shouting out in case of a rat
A rat is dealt: If the active player uncovers a rat card, you have to shout out the foodstuff which is hidden beneath the Natty Ratty shaker.
Example: the active player uncovers a rat. The Natty Ratty shaker is currently on top of the green serving cloche above the apple, hence the players shout out "Apple" loudly.
Fly alert: If the fly is also sitting beneath the covered serving cloche, shout out "fly" loudly. NEVER shout out "Rat" if a rat is dealt.
The dessert for the insatiable and professionals
Play as described under "Starter" and "Main course".
Banging your hand in the case of original colour
A foodstuff is played in its original colour. If the foodstuff on the card is visible in its original colour, instead of making a grab for the matching serving cloche or shouting out "Rat" or "Fly" as necessary, always bang on the table with your hand.
Please note: incorrectly banging your hand on the table is punished as described under "Error!"
The end of the game
The game comes to an end as soon as the pile of cards has been used up. The player with the most cards wins. Enjoy your meal!
Back cover (not a separate heading in the source): the foodstuff illustrations on the back of the box are labelled in English as apple, cheese, chili, egg and fish.