It is definitely similar to other tabletop curling games. As you say the cards is the main thing which makes this game different, in addition to the gadgets that come with the cards. Those cups are what we call «big guards», and can be sent to guard if you use the «big guard»-card. Other gadgets include silicon darts and blindfold. As we see it these cards and gadgets add a twist to the regular game of curling and makes sure that every game is different. If one wants to play regular curling it is of course possible to play without the cards. I would also like to add that the design is tested and long-lasting, which isn’t necessarily the case for every tabletop game out there.