Cat in the Box Scoring & Paradox Rules Explained
Cat in the Box scores tricks every round, then adds a spatial bonus only when your original trick prediction was correct.
Normal trick score: +1 per trick won
Count the trick piles you won during the round. Each trick is worth 1 point.
Correct prediction unlocks the research bonus
If the number of tricks you won exactly matches your prediction, find your largest group of orthogonally adjacent tokens on the research board. Score 1 bonus point per token in that group.
Diagonal tokens are not connected
Only vertical and horizontal adjacency counts when measuring the prediction bonus group.
Paradox ends trick play immediately
If a player cannot legally play because no permitted declaration exists, the current trick is not won and the trick phase ends immediately. Tokens already placed during that trick remain on the research board.
Paradox player scores tricks as negative
Instead of gaining 1 point per trick won, the player who caused the paradox scores −1 point per trick they won that round and receives no prediction bonus.
Other players score normally
Players who did not cause the paradox still score their tricks and can receive the connected-group bonus if their predictions were correct.
Play the prescribed number of rounds
The standard multiplayer game uses one round per player. Highest cumulative total wins; if tied, the tied player with the higher score in the final round wins.