9 Lives vs Fast Friends: Which Party Card Game Wins?
By Exploding Kittens | Party card games, puzzles, greeting cards | Published: 2026-10-27
Category: Comparisons
Compare 9 Lives and Fast Friends from Exploding Kittens. Decide which party card game fits your group based on counting strategy or speed guessing.
Quick answer
Choose 9 Lives if your group enjoys counting and tactical bluffing; pick Fast Friends if you prefer fast-paced word association and laughter.
Counting vs. Speed: Two Different Energies
9 Lives is a high-stakes counting game where players add numbered cards to a pile, trying to keep the total under 9 while using action cards to force opponents to bust. It rewards careful math and sneaky timing.
Fast Friends is a speed jinx guessing game where pairs race to say the same word before the timer buzzes. It's about quick thinking and shared vocabulary, not numbers.
Group Size and Replayability
9 Lives works well with smaller groups because each round involves focused turns and card management. Fast Friends is more flexible—pairs rotate, so larger groups can cycle through quickly.
Both games are simple to learn, but Fast Friends may feel more replayable because the word prompts change every round, while 9 Lives relies on the same numbered deck.
Trade-offs at a glance
- 9 Lives – Counting & Bluffing: Players add numbered cards to a pile, trying to keep the total under 9 while using action cards to force others to bust. Steal busted players' cards for points. Best for groups that enjoy math-based strategy and sneaky timing.
- Fast Friends – Speed & Word Association: Pairs race to say the same word before the timer runs out. Lose Life Tokens when you fail, and new pairs rotate in. Best for groups that prefer quick, laugh-out-loud word games.
- Decision rule: If you want to think carefully and mess with opponents' totals, choose 9 Lives. If you want fast, silly rounds that test how well you know your friends, choose Fast Friends.
Product facts
- 9 Lives: Counting to 9 has never been this high stakes! Take turns adding numbered cards on the pile. As the total grows closer to 9, blindside other players by throwing down special action cards that force them to bust. Then you get to steal their cards and add them to your score pile. Most points by the end of the deck wins! This means 9 Lives rewards strategic counting and risk management, not just luck.
9 Lives - Fast Friends: Get ready for Fast Friends, the speed jinx guessing game where saying the same word is harder than you think. Players race to match minds before the timer buzzes, hoping to shout the same phrase at the same time. Every round brings laughter, surprises, and friendly chaos as players lose Life Tokens and new pairs take their turn. Simple to learn, fast to play, and endlessly replayable, Fast Friends is the ultimate… Fast Friends depends on quick verbal reactions and shared intuition, making it ideal for groups that enjoy spontaneous humor.
Fast Friends
Which one fits your group?
Best for
- Groups that enjoy strategic counting and bluffing (9 Lives)
- Parties or casual gatherings where fast, verbal fun is the goal (Fast Friends)
Not for
- Players who dislike math or careful turn-taking (skip 9 Lives)
- Groups that prefer quiet, individual play (skip Fast Friends)
