Check out the super easy beginner’s guide to playing Goat ‘n Goat. We will cover the set-up, the rules of the game, the scoring, and some tips for winning.
Goal of the Game
The objective of the game is to get your goats to climb up the large plastic mountains.
You get points for collecting the mountains, and the player with the most points at the end of the game is the winner.
Game pieces
There are 2 game pieces, the goat cards, and the mountain cards.
- Goat cards are red, blue, and green and are numbered 1 through 5. There are smaller numbers than bigger numbers, meaning there are going to be more lower goats than higher goats.
- The mountain cards are also red, blue, and green and are numbered 3 to 9. You want to get these cards because they are worth points and mountains are harder to get than goats.
Game set-up
1. You shuffle all of the goat cards to prepare for the game.
2. Depending on the number of players, you will deal a different amount of cards.
- 2 players get 5 cards each
- 3 to 5 players get 3 cards each
3. Then, you will put out 6 cards face up in a line for players to see.
4. Finally, put all the mountain cards near the player piles, separated by their colors and mountains.
5. Rock, Paper, Scissors to see who goes first for a goat-themed player to be ‘the goat’ first.
How to Play
You will repeat these same steps for every turn in the order they are written.
Step 1: Play Goat Cards
First, you have to play one or more goat cards, and they have to be the same number. You can match numbers with a different color.
Examples:
- Play one 3
- Play two 3s like red, and blue
- Play three 3s red, blue, and green
Now, look at your stacks on your table. Each color should have its own separate stack in front of you.
- If you do not have that color yet, start a brand new stack using your card(s).
- If your stack has a top card that is smaller, then place your new card(s) on top of that stack.
- If its top card is larger, then you lose those older cards. Put them faced down in a new separate pile.
- These are now penalty cards, and at the end, each one gives you -1 point.
- Start a new stack for that color using your new card(s).
Step 2: Draw New Goat Cards
After playing, you take new cards from the 6 cards that are face-up on the table.
You take new cards equal to the amount you played.
Examples:
- If you played a 2, take two new cards.
- If you played a 4, take four new cards.
It does not matter how many cards you played, only the amount of value in the number matters.
Then refill the face-up row back to 6 cards.
If you now have more than 8 cards in your hand, you must discard until you have exactly 8 cards.
All used cards become penalty cards (face down in front of you)
Step 3: Gather a Mountain (Optional)
You can exchange your goat cards for a mountain.
In order to take a mountain card, you must:
- Discard goat cards of your stacks of the same color.
- Their sum must be equal to or more than the number on the mountain.
Example:
In order to take a Blue Mountain 5, you can discard blue goat cards with a sum of 5 or more (like 3+2 or 4+1) from your stacks.
You can put the mountain card in front of you – it is safe and it is worth some points.
When the Game Ends
- For 2 players: The game ends after you go through the goat deck once.
- For 3–5 players: The game ends after you go through the goat deck two times.
Scoring
- Count the sum of all your mountain cards and then subtract 1 point for each penalty card (face down goat) for your final score.
- The player with the highest total wins the game!!!
Simple Example Turn
You have these cards: Red 2, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 4
- You play both “2”s (Red + Blue).
- Start stacks for Red and Blue.
- Because you played “2”, you draw from the face-up row 2 cards.
- Then you get rid of Red 4 goats to obtain a Red Mountain 4.
New Players Tips
- Play same number of cards.
- There shouldn’t be a reason to play a lower number than what’s already in your stack – that’s how penalties happen.
- Your hand should be 8 cards at max.
- To get a mountain quicker focus in building one color at a time.
- You’ll need stronger goat cards to get the high mountains, and they give you more points.
- See what mountains players are trying to get – you might race for the same one.
Quick Reference Table
| Action | Meaning |
| Play cards | Must match numbers |
| Draw cards | Equal to number played |
| Stack rule | Higher goes on top, lower causes penalties |
| Mountain | Trade same-color goats |
| Penalties | –1 point each |
| End game | Deck ends once/twice |
| Win | Highest total after penalties |
How to Play Goat n’ Goat (Goat and Goat)
In Goat n’ Goat, your main aim will be to make sure your goats are the ones that get to the highest mountains.
Each. Goat card is one of the three colors, red, blue, and green, and has a number from 1 to 5. The mountains are colored the same as the goats, and the mountains have numbers as well, 3 to 9.
When it’s your turn, you play one or more Goat cards that all have the same number.
You have to add played cards to your stacks by color. If you play a smaller number than what’s already there, you lose that stack as penalty points.
After you play your cards, you have to draw new cards that are equal to the amount of cards you played.
Then, if you have goats of one color, you can trade those into a mountain card of that same color as long as your goats equal or are higher than the number on the mountain.
When the deck is empty (once for 2 players, twice for 3–5 players), all the points from mountains you have are counted, and you will lose 1 point for each penalty cards you have.
The person with the most total goats wins!
Goat ’n’ Goat in 20 Seconds (Ultra Quick Guide)
Goats with matching numbers → play goats → draw cards → build stacks → trade goats for mountains → no penalties (if possible please) → most points wins.
FAQs
Am I allowed to take more than one mountain each turn?
No. You can only take one mountain each turn.
Can the penalty cards be used again?
No. The penalty cards can never be used again as they are permanently worth -1 point.
Are mountain cards in the game safe with other cards?
Yes. Once collected, mountain cards are completely safe and cannot be lost.
