— THE GAME · HOW TO PLAY
THE RULES
ARE SIMPLE.
THE RACE IS ON.
A fast-paced word and name challenge. Find an answer that fits the category before time runs out — and make it longer than the one before.
YOUR ROUND AT A GLANCE
20 sec
Players Best with 2-5
Each turn Top the last answer
Round winner Last valid answer
Point target Agree before you play
— ONE ROUND. FIVE STEPS.
READY.
SET.
TOP THAT.
Keep the challenge moving around the
table until only one player remains.
5-7 points
Recommended target. Agree on
yours before the game begins.
Draw a Card
Draw from either the Words That or Name That deck. Read both options on the card, then choose the round’s question.
01
You have 20 seconds per turn. Say an answer aloud that fits the chosen category, then spell it to count the letters.
02
Beat the Clock
The next player must give a valid answer with more letters than the previous answer — or fewer letters if the direction has been reversed.
03
Keep It Going
Reverse numbers printed on the card switch the longer/shorter direction. WILD Cards add their own twists; follow the effects written on them.
04
Reverse or Wild
The last player to successfully give an answer wins the round and earns a point.
05
End of the Round
— CHANGE THE DIRECTION
LONGER. SHORTER.
THINK AGAIN.
Reverse numbers printed on the cards switch the direction of play between longer and shorter answers.
Yes, you can reverse again.
Double reversals are allowed, but you cannot reverse on the same number twice in a row.
EXAMPLE · WORDS STARTING WITH H
Go longer
After a reversal, go shorter
Illustrative answers, not a reproduction of a card. Check the printed reverse numbers on your card.
— Try a Round · Demo
Test Your Quick Thinking
Ready for a Challenge
Choose your challenge below.
Name That
Words That
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING!!
— THE FINER POINTS
GOOD TO KNOW.
BEFORE YOU GO.
Keep the counting clear and the competition friendly. Here’s how to handle the details.
-
Words That answers must be single, unhyphenated words. Name That can be names, titles or phrases; spaces and hyphens don’t count toward the letter total.
-
Say your answer aloud, then spell it to count the letters. As long as your answer was said in time, you may finish spelling after the timer runs out.
-
Use commonly known names. For example, Taylor Swift is valid as a familiar name; don’t extend it to Taylor Alison Swift to add letters.
-
Spell numbers out for the letter count. In “8 Mile,” the 8 counts as “eight” — five letters. The space doesn’t count.
-
Discuss it or look it up together. An invalid answer eliminates that player for the round. The last successful valid answer wins the point.
-
Agree on a target before starting. We recommend 5–7 points. The player with the most points wins the game.
KNOW THE RULES? START THE CLOCK.
Gather 2–5 players, agree your point target and draw your first card.