Gemopedia
Card Games🇺🇸United States21st century

Cuttle

Officially Cuttle (also known as Manipulation Rummy variant)

TWO-PLAYER STRATEGIC COMBAT CARD GAME using STANDARD 52-CARD DECK — each card has a UNIQUE POWER (Aces + faces + numbers). Signature 'ACES SHIELD, KINGS SLIME, JACKS STEAL, QUEENS DEFEND' interactive mechanic makes each card a mini-spell. Goal: FIRST PLAYER to 21 POINT-CARDS in play area wins. Gained cult following via CUTTLE.APP (2018+) online platform + associated GDC talks + indie developer community; now competitive worldwide with monthly tournaments + $500+ prize pools.

⏱~15 min🌤indoor

Quick facts

Category

Card Games

Type

Individual

Players

2–2

Duration

~15 min

Where played

indoor

Country of origin

🇺🇸 United States

Estimated origin

Traditional folk rules of Cuttle documented since early 20th c. USA (public-domain rules); revitalized 2018+ via CUTTLE.APP (created by Ryan Otoupal + collaborators); online platform grew rapidly during COVID; discord + monthly tournaments; GDC 2020 designer talks.

Olympic

No

Popularity

niche

How it works

Objective

Be the FIRST player to PLAY point-cards summing to 21+ points in front of you (with tiebreak at 17-20 range possible on nuance).

Rules

Basic rules

  • SETUP: Each player draws 5 CARDS; remaining deck = DRAW PILE; discard pile in middle

    Signature 5-card starting hand.

  • TURN: DRAW 1 CARD, then take 1 ACTION: (a) PLAY a POINT CARD (2-10 face-value to your point-area) OR (b) PLAY a ROYAL for its EFFECT (JQKA + 8 have unique powers) OR (c) DRAW ADDITIONAL card + SKIP main action

    Signature 3-choice turn structure.

  • CARD POWERS: ACE = 'SHIELD' (deflect one attack), JACK = 'STEAL' opponent's point card, QUEEN = 'ROYAL PROTECTION' (immune to jack + kings while she's on field), KING = 'SLIMED' (removes 1 point card + is unbeatable), 8 = 'EYE' (see opponent's hand until end of turn)

    Signature 5-role card powers.

  • REMOVE + COUNTER: certain cards can be COUNTERED by matching card (2 counters 2, 3 counters 3) — creates mini bluffing/holding meta-game

    Signature counter meta-game.

  • OVER-DRAW: if DECK RUNS OUT, players use their DISCARD PILE (reshuffle) — but this reveals game state to opponent

    Signature deck-exhaustion reshuffle.

  • WIN CONDITIONS: (a) reach 21+ point cards in play area OR (b) opponent runs out of hand + can't play (rare)

    Signature dual win conditions.

  • CUTTLE.APP: online free platform with ranked ladder, tournaments, replays

    Signature Cuttle.App online platform.

Scoring

Point-total on play-field; first to 21+ wins; some tournament variants play best-of-3 games.

Win condition · Reach 21+ points in play area OR opponent unable to play.

Equipment

  • STANDARD 52-CARD DECK (no jokers)

    Signature standard deck.

  • TABLE + 2 SEATS or online CUTTLE.APP

    Standard playing space + online option.

Terminology

Point card
Numeric card (2-10) played face-up for points.
Royal
Face card (J/Q/K) with unique power.
Shield (Ace)
Deflect one attack effect.
Slimed (King)
Point card become permanently protected + removes 1 opponent point card.
Steal (Jack)
Move opponent's point card to your side.
Royal Protection (Queen)
Your points immune to certain attacks while queen active.
Eye (8)
See opponent's hand this turn.
Counter
Play matching card to negate opponent's play.

Major competitions

  • Cuttle.App Monthly Championships (online)

    monthly · Global online · since 2019

  • Cuttle.App Ranked Ladder Seasons

    quarterly · Global online · since 2020

Where it is played

Governing bodies

  • Cuttle.App community (informal — Ryan Otoupal + collaborators)

    Founded 2018 · USA (online-based)

  • Folk-game tradition (public-domain rules)

    Founded 1900 · USA (historical)

Famous names & records

Famous athletes

  • Ryan Otoupal (US, Cuttle.App developer + community lead)
  • Top ranked Cuttle.App players (rotating rankings)

Sources & provenance

Last verified 2026-08-28.verified