How to Play Spite & Malice!

Every hand pulls you between careful strategy and the satisfying rush of dumping your last card onto a build pile just ahead of your opponent. Whether you call it Spite & Malice, Skip-Bo, or Cat and Mouse, this is the version for players who want a real contest — against a friend online, a family member, or a sharp computer opponent.

Launch the game and choose solo play or invite someone online
Pick your difficulty level and any game variant you want to try
Draw your hand and start building shared centre piles from Ace upward
Play cards from your hand, draw pile, or side stacks to move the game forward
Empty your payoff pile completely before your opponent empties theirs to win

Controls

Tap or click a card to select it, then tap or click where you want to place it. The game highlights legal moves so you can focus on strategy rather than rules.

Scoring

Experience points accumulate with every game played, tracking your progress across your account. Coins earned through daily challenges unlock additional themes.

When does a round end?

The round ends the moment one player plays the last card from their payoff pile.

Tips & Tricks

Prioritise payoff pile cards over hand cards whenever both are playable — clearing the pile is the only thing that wins
Use your side stacks deliberately; parking a high card there early can strand you later when build piles need low ones
Check the daily challenge before you start — sometimes a small change to how you play earns bonus coins without costing you the match
Try Kings variant once you are comfortable with the base game; it changes which cards act as wildcards and opens up new tactics

Why people keep coming back

Online multiplayer invite a specific friend or get matched with a random opponent instantly
Four difficulty levels computer opponents scale from relaxed to genuinely competitive
Game variants Kings and Misery modes change the rules enough to feel like a fresh game
Eight themes including the Night theme, with the option to unlock more through daily challenges
Cloud statistics your record and experience follow you across every device you sign in on
Facebook integration personalise your profile and keep your progress tied to your account

Content & audience

Suitable for ages 18 and up (ESRB T (Simulated gambling); PEGI 18 (Simulated gambling); DJCTQ L; USK 16 (Simulated gambling); IARC 18 (Simulated gambling); COB-AU M (Simulated gambling); PCBP 12; CSRR PG15 (Simulated gambling); CCC 14; Microsoft 18).
Free game supported by advertising, with optional in-app purchases.
Playable offline; no account required.

Category: Video Gaming › Card Games · Store category: Card & board, Casino

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About Spite & Malice!

Now with online multiplayer! Connect and play with friends and family or simply choose a random opponent.

Play North Sky Games’ brand new Spite & Malice game, also known as Skip-Bo and Cat and Mouse. Play all the cards from your payoff piles before your opponent and win the match! With a host of unique game variants, including Kings and Misery, and 4 challenging levels of difficulty, Spite & Malice offers an unparalleled game play experience!

Customize your game to your liking with one of our 8 unique themes, including the new Night theme, and come back every day for a new chance to earn additional coins and unlock the latest theme by completing the daily challenges!

Also includes Facebook integration! Personalize your game, earn experience with every game, never lose your statistics! Your statistics are stored in the cloud and shared between all your devices.