Few board games can turn the concept of a fish auction into a frantic race of reflexes, but Cash-A-Catch manages exactly that. Combining set collection, auctions and a bell that players are actively encouraged to slam, this small card game creates far more excitement than its humble box suggests.
In Playte's Cash-A-Catch, players take on the role of fish merchants, competing in auctions to buy the latest hauls of fish in the hope of selling them for profit before they spoil. The content of each auction varies, and the size of the haul ultimately depends on the players' patience. However, no matter how many fish you acquire, you can only keep three types on your board. Any additional fish are thrown into your trash pile and count as negative points at the end of the game.
Each round, one player becomes the auctioneer. Before hosting the auction, they can sell fish sets for cash. Doing so also removes the highest-value fish of the same type from opponents' collections, creating a constant tension between scoring points and disrupting rivals. The only exception is the ice box, which protects cards from being affected by an auctioneer's sale.
During the auction, the auctioneer reveals cards from the deck one at a time. At any point, a player can ring the bell to end the auction and purchase all face-up cards for €10. The auctioneer doesn't go empty-handed either, receiving €1 in commission for every card sold. The winning bidder then sorts through their haul, deciding which fish to keep and which to throw into their trash pile before the auctioneer role passes clockwise to the next player.
This auction phase delivers the adrenaline and tension you'd expect from a push-your-luck game. Ring the bell too early and you may end up overpaying for a handful of cards. Wait too long and another player could swoop in and claim a lucrative haul before you get the chance. Or, if you're anything like me, you'll occasionally get caught up in the excitement and instinctively slam the bell despite having no real interest in the cards on offer. The constant temptation to wait for just one more card creates plenty of memorable moments and does a great job of testing players' patience, nerve and reactions under pressure.
The end game is signalled when the "Final Phase" card is revealed. This indicates that only a handful of cards remain in the deck and that auctioneers will no longer receive commission for cards sold.
Like many set-collection games, the value of fish increases dramatically as sets grow larger. A single fish is worth just €1, while a ten-card set is worth €30. Squid cards act as wild cards and can be added to any set, while other special cards introduce additional interaction. Fish thief allows players to steal cards from an opponent's market, while Canned Fish lets player remove cards from their trash pile and reduce the negative points they'll suffer at the end of the game.
While the bell may be unnecessary, it is certainly welcome at my table. It helps Cash-A-Catch stand out from other auction and set-collection games, transforming what could have been a fairly standard card game into something far more energetic and memorable. That said, you may want to substitute it with a quieter alternative if you're playing in a public venue or if your seating arrangement makes it difficult for everyone to reach.
Cash-A-Catch supports three to five players, but I found four to be the sweet spot. It keeps the auctions competitive without becoming too chaotic, while ensuring everyone has a fair chance to reach the bell and enough opportunities to take on the role of auctioneer.
This 20-minute game is accessible to players of all ages and works particularly well as a filler between heavier games or as a family-friendly option. While the game can become a little chaotic at five players, its short playtime and the drama that comes from landing a huge haul make that easy to forgive.
Cash-A-Catch won't replace deeper auction classics, but that's not really what it's trying to do. It's a quick, accessible game that delivers plenty of laughs, dramatic bell-ringing moments and just enough tactical decision-making to keep players engaged. If you're looking for a lightweight family game that can get everyone around the table shouting over fish prices, Cash-A-Catch is well worth a look.
