<p>The instructions that come with the game have the quote in the question and indicate that there are basic and advanced rules.</p>

<p>The basic rules state that cards without instructions must be saved and played in pairs. They say that "if you play matching pairs with no instructions on them," you can randomly steal another player's card.  With the later section, it is clear this only applies to "cat" cards with no instructions.</p>

<p>There is a later section "for advanced play" which specifically states that "play pairs .... no longer only applies to cards with no instructions on them, it now applies to ANY cards in the deck with the same icons in the corners".  It also gives the rules for three of a kind play and 5 different cards play.  This seems to be the only set of rules listed on the "official rules" webpage in the other answer.</p>

<p>Ergo: <strong>Whether you can play non-cat pairs is based on which rule set you are following.</strong></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-26T19:16:17.000Z
2015-08-27T13:56:41.893Z
2015-08-27T13:56:41.893Z
kaine
<p>Yes, you can play 2 of any card as long as the icons match per the <a href="http://www.explodingkittens.com/how" rel="nofollow">official rules</a>.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p><strong>Important note:</strong> You can play any card as two or three of a kind, as long as the icons in the upper left match.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-26T17:38:58.117Z
2015-08-26T17:38:58.117Z
Pat Ludwig
<p>I am unclear on a detail.  Can I play a pair of cards with instructions (such as shuffles)? </p>

<p>From the instructions: "If you play matching pairs <strong>with no instructions on them,....</strong>".  </p>

<p>It seems like there might be "advanced rules" where this is allowed.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-27T08:36:12.517Z
Can you please add an example to your question? That would make it easier to understand what you're trying to ask.
freekvd
<exploding-kittens>
Playing pairs of non-cat cards
kaine
# Playing pairs of non-cat cards

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-08-26)

I am unclear on a detail. Can I play a pair of cards with instructions (such as shuffles)?

From the instructions: "If you play matching pairs **with no instructions on them,....**".

It seems like there might be "advanced rules" where this is allowed.

**Tags:** exploding-kittens

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Can you please add an example to your question? That would make it easier to understand what you're trying to ask.  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_0 on 2015-08-26. Score: 9 | Accepted answer

The instructions that come with the game have the quote in the question and indicate that there are basic and advanced rules.

The basic rules state that cards without instructions must be saved and played in pairs. They say that "if you play matching pairs with no instructions on them," you can randomly steal another player's card. With the later section, it is clear this only applies to "cat" cards with no instructions.

There is a later section "for advanced play" which specifically states that "play pairs .... no longer only applies to cards with no instructions on them, it now applies to ANY cards in the deck with the same icons in the corners". It also gives the rules for three of a kind play and 5 different cards play. This seems to be the only set of rules listed on the "official rules" webpage in the other answer.

Ergo: **Whether you can play non-cat pairs is based on which rule set you are following.**


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### Answer by username_2 on 2015-08-26. Score: 2

Yes, you can play 2 of any card as long as the icons match per the [official rules](http://www.explodingkittens.com/how).

> **Important note:** You can play any card as two or three of a kind, as long as the icons in the upper left match.


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