How to Play That’s Not a Hat — A Complete Beginner’s Guide
I first discovered That’s Not a Hat through Smosh. (Honestly, a lot of my favorite party and social games come from watching their videos.) If you’ve ever wanted to test your memory and bluffing skills while sharing laughs with friends and family, this guide is for you. We’re diving into how to play That’s Not a Hat, a hilarious party card game that proves simple rules can lead to unforgettable moments.
Whether you’re a casual gamer, a parent looking for an easy and approachable title, or a board game fan searching for your next go to amuse bouche, That’s Not a Hat delivers instant fun for all ages.
What is “That’s Not a Hat”?
At first glance, That’s Not a Hat looks incredibly simple. Designed by Kasper Lapp and published by Ravensburger, it’s a memory and bluffing card game where you try to remember which card represents which gift, even after it has been passed around the table several times. On paper it sounds easy. In reality, your confidence fades fast once cards start moving and everyone’s memory begins to blur.
(And yes, I genuinely enjoy the re gifting theme.)
The entire game revolves around convincing others that you remember what your face down card is. You’ll be passing gifts while saying confident lines like “I have a lovely hat for you” even though you are absolutely passing a banana. When someone calls you out and they’re correct, you take a penalty card. Collect three and you lose the game. (Full honesty: I am terrible at this game. I only survive when someone is worse than me, which is honestly part of the fun.)
Its charm comes from how quick, light, and accessible it is. That’s Not a Hat works perfectly as a warm up game, a party favorite, or something to bring out when you want easy laughter without complicated rules.
Game Contents
Inside the box, you’ll find:
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110 cards with clean, quirky illustrations of everyday objects like hats, buckets, traffic cones, pizzas, and shoes
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One rulebook with the full game instructions
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Gameplay support for 3 to 8 players
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Recommended age of 8 and up
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Average playtime of around 20 minutes
It also comes in a compact box that’s perfect for travel. Imagine pulling this out at the airport. Instant fun.
How to Play “That’s Not a Hat” Card Game
Here’s the quick guide to the That’s Not a Hat mechanics.
1. Set up the game
Shuffle the deck of 110 object cards. Deal one card face up to each player. This is everyone’s starting gift. Place the remaining cards face up in the center to form the “gift shop” pile.
2. Pass the gift
On your turn, draw the top card from the gift shop and show it to everyone. Then place it face down in front of you. Check the arrow on the back. It tells you which direction to pass the card.
Pass the gift to the correct player and say:
“I have a nice [object] for you.”
You can either tell the truth or bluff. That’s part of the fun.
3. Accept or refuse the gift
The player receiving the gift must choose to:
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Accept it and say “thank you”, stacking it face down on their pile
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Or call you out by saying “That’s not a [object]!”
If they call you out, flip the card:
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If the refuser is correct, you take a penalty card
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If they’re wrong, they take the penalty card
Penalty cards stay face up, and whoever takes one must draw a new card from the gift shop before continuing.
As the game goes on, cards start flipping face down and memory becomes everything. Bluffing becomes essential, confidence becomes a weapon, and laughter becomes inevitable.
4. Winning the game
Play continues until someone collects three penalty cards.
The winner is whoever has the fewest penalties.
How to Win
The rules are easy, but winning takes a bit of memory work and creative bluffing. Here are a few tips:
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Pay attention in the early rounds when cards are still manageable
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Use fun verbal cues like “The hat goes to Hannah” to help your memory
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Bluff confidently. Everyone forgets eventually
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Observe other players. Hesitation and awkward laughter can reveal everything
Winning is great, but That’s Not a Hat shines because of the chaos. It celebrates the fact that memory isn’t perfect and that’s exactly why it’s so fun.
Why It’s Perfect for Every Group
That’s Not a Hat is accessible to absolutely anyone. Kids can play with adults. Party gamers and strategy gamers both enjoy the challenge. Even the most competitive players end up cracking up when their confident guesses are totally wrong.
If you want more variety, you can also check out:
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That’s Not a Hat Pop Culture for modern references
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That’s Not a Hat Incognito which adds a traffic cone twist and makes the memory challenge a bit tougher
Each edition keeps the original charm while adding a fresh flavor.
Passing Fun, One Bluff at a Time!
Learning how to play That’s Not a Hat is just the start. After your first round, you’ll see how easily it sparks laughter and keeps the table talking. It’s a clever mix of memory, bluffing, and pure chaos that makes every play feel different.
And the best part? You can get That’s Not a Hat and its other editions right here at Gaming Library, your go to hub for board games in the Philippines. Explore beginner friendly card games, deep strategic titles, and a full library of tabletop favorites. Our team is always ready to help you learn how to play.
About Gaming Library
Gaming Library aims to be the go-to resource for board games, providing not only titles that can be enjoyed by families, but also to be enjoyed by friends both newcomers and veterans alike. By pulling from different resources from all over the world, we at Gaming Library curate an impressive collection of games for consumers to choose from, suitable for anybody from casual players to hardcore hobbyists. In doing so, we hope to provide the best means to foster activities that strengthen family ties and friendships, while teaching relevant skills and practical critical thinking that can be applied to your everyday life.
