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Most people love this game; however, they find it difficult because of the idea of putting words into categories. It can be frustrating as there are not many in-depth articles on how to play it successfully.
Here, however, we will go through a step-by-step process on how to play Scattergories, the rules, and even some lists to help you win this game at home with friends and family and in the classroom as well. Let’s begin.
Game components
- 6 Folders
- 6 Clip strips
- 1 Answer pad
- 20-Sided die
- 48 Category cards
- Timer
- Die-rolling board
- 6 Pencils
The object of the Game
To score more points than the other players is your main goal. You score points by getting unique answers from those of the other players.
Number of players: 2-6 Players
Time: 30 Min
Age: 12+
Setup
Separate the category cards into six sets of list numbers one through to twelve. The cards are double-sided.
Give each player a play folder. Store the list on the left side of each folder. A blank sheet is also inserted onto the right side of the folder by each player.
The game is played in three rounds. Start by choosing a list card to stat with and clip it on the left side of the play folder. Be sure to check that each player is using the same list card.
Press the stop side on the time and turn the knob clockwise to the end. Make sure you don’t damage the knob by turning it too much.
Gameplay
After this, one player rolls the 20-sided dice to determine the key letter.
One player will press start on the timer and the round begins. Players will then start to fill in the blank sheet with the letter in mind. All answers must fit the category and must always start with the key letter chosen. You must always ensure your words have their first letters as the key letter. For example, if the key letter is “G”, and you are filling in a category that says “Foreign Cities”, your answer should be a city like Garland.
Articles do not count as key letters but can be used to start an answer. However, your next word must start with your key letter. For example, if you have to write for a category called Cars, you can start with an article and write A Mustang if your key letter is “M”.
Here is a filled-in answer sheet:
You cannot have the same word in different categories on the same round. If you want to answer using proper names you have to make sure the first letter of the last word matches the key letter.
Challenging answers
If you think a certain word does not fit a particular category you are free to challenge it. Players will then vote on whether it is allowed or not to use a thumbs up or down. Winning the vote is based on the majority. The word is rejected if it is a tie.
Players will stop writing when the timer stops.
End of Game
At this point, the players start reading their words out loud for others to hear. If a particular in the same category is found in another player’s answers that word is crossed out. No point is awarded for such duplicates.
If, however, the answer is unique to the player, the word is circled and the player is awarded one point. Count the number of points and write it at the top of the answer sheet.
Start a new round
To start a new round reset the timer and roll the dice. If you end with the same letter, reroll it again.
Redo the same process for the remaining two rounds. At the end of the third round, tally up tall the points. The player with the most points is the winner. If there is a tie, replay another round to help find a winner.
Game Variations
Extra points: To get an extra point for your answers, make sure to answer using proper names that have the key letter starting both the first and last name. For example, Jenna Jameson, Carson City, Simon and Schuster, and The Brady Bunch for 2 points; Hubert Horatio Humphrey for 3 points.
You can also challenge yourselves using less time by turning on the yellow markers on the timer.
Summarized Rules for acceptable answers
- The key letter should always be the starting letter of your words.
- You can use articles such as “A”, “THE”, and “AN” but not as key letters for your words.
- The same word cannot be given to two categories in the same round.
- Providing creative answers for categories is well accepted so far as they are sensible.
- Proper names are allowed so far as their first letter is equal to the key letter for the round.
Other versions of Scattergories Board Game
- The refill pack for Scattergories
- Scattergories The Card Game published by the Winning Movies Games USA.
- Scattergories Word Search puzzles by Puzzlewright Press.
- Scattergories Categories published by the Winning Movies Games USA.
- Scattergories 30th Anniversary Edition published by the Winning Movies Games USA.
- There is also a mobile version published by Magmic and licensed through Hasbro.
Scattergories list to play with friends
Scattergories is all about thinking creatively and coming up with words.
Here is a list of carefully selected lists to help you play Scattergories.
List A
- Old-fashioned boy’s name
- Items that are frozen
- Television shows from 2000
- Rivers
- Vegetables
- Things that are yellow
- Trees
- Marching band instruments
- College subjects
- Dishes made from pasta
- Books about animals
- Insects
List B
- States
- Tools
- Things found in a cafeteria
- Things found on a farm
- Fears
- Sweet things
- Dental procedures
- Perfumes
- Types off candy
- Accessories
- Things used by the handicapped
- Sounds animals make
List C
- Things that are cold
- Toppings for pizza
- Colleges
- Things with spots
- Things from the Civil War
- Items in a dresser drawer
- Ways to relax
- Ethnicity’s
- Things found in the sky
- Figures from history
- Types of drugs
- Types of bread
Sites to Play Scattergories Online For Free
Playing Scattergories on the board is fun and interesting, but you can also play it online so far as you have an internet connection.
Here are a couple of sites where you can play Scattergories easily and they are completely free.
- Scattergoriesonline.net
Benefits of Playing Scattergories Online
Playing Scattergories online comes with a lot of advantages. Here are some of them.
- These sites offer private and public rooms to play with friends and even strangers.
- Each round is scored automatically by the computer without any effort on the side of the players.
- Time limits are always shown so you know when your time is almost up.
- You can chat with others through the chatbox.
Video Tutorial on how to play Scattergories
Conclusion
Learning how to play Scattergories is fairly easy and only takes practice to get you moving and in the groove. Ultimately it will build your creativity.
If you love this type of hobby, check our other board games here.
Don’t own the game yet? Buy it here on Amazon.
