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The scenery and the friends have changed over the years but the tradition remains. It is one of the happiest memories of my childhood that I have. My family has been playing games for the holidays since I was a kid. To set the timer, just turn it upside-down and slide the switch to the desired setting.Playing games around the holidays has a way of breaking the ice and focusing attention on fun instead of gifts. Time challenge: For an extra-challenging game with less time, set the timer to the 2 1/2-minute ( For example: Ronald Reagan, Carson City, Simon and Schuster, and The Brady Bunch for 2 points Hubert Horatio Humphrey for 3 points. Game VariationsĮxtra points: When answering with proper names or titles, score an extra point for using the key letter more than once as a first letter in your answer. Make sure all players are using the same List #. Also remove the category card and clip it on the other side, or clip on another card with the desired List # facing you. To start a new game, remove the answer sheet and clip on a blank one (answer sheets are two-sided). In case of a tie, the challenged player's vote does not count. Players who do not accept the answer give a thumbs-down sign. Players who accept the answer give a thumbs-up sign. When an answer is challenged, all players (even the challenged player) vote on whether the answer is acceptable. While answers are being read, other players may challenge their acceptability. But if one player challenges the answer, the group must vote on its acceptability. For example, if the category is SPICES/HERBS and the key letter is P, you could answer Posh. For example, if the key letter is G and the category is PRESIDENTS, your answer could be George Bush or Garfield, lames.Ĭreative answers can be acceptable.
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When answering with a proper name, you may use the first or last name, as long as the key letter is the first letter of your answer. For example, you cannot answer Gary for A BOY'S NAME and for U.S. The same answer cannot be given more than once in the same round. For example, "B" is the key letter for the "movie title", A Beautiful Mind "P" is the key letter for the "book", The Pelican Brief. The articles "A", "An" and "The" cannot be used as key letters.
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The first word of your answer must begin with the key letter. The player with the highest score in that round is the winner. In case of a tie: The players who tied play one more round with a new letter. End of the GameĪfter 3 rounds have been played, all players total the 3 scores on their answer sheets. Note: if the same letter is rolled twice in a game, reroll the die for a different letter. Fill in the next column with your new answers. Roll a new letter, start the timer, and continue playing, using the same category list you did in the previous round. Record your score at the top of the column on your answer sheet, as shown in Figure 3. Then score 1 point for each of your circled answers. Continue reading answers until all 12 categories have been marked. Players mark their own answer sheets by circling acceptable answers that do not match any other player's answers. Scoring the round: Players, in turn, read their answers aloud. When the timer stops, all players must immediately stop writing. Players are using List #1 and the letter P was rolled. (These rules also appear inside each folder).įigure 2 shows an example of a filled- in answer sheet. Answers must fit the category, and must begin with the key letter. Now the round begins!Īll players quickly fill in the first column of their answer sheets. (To reset the timer at any time press it to stop, then press it again to start). Press the top of the timer to start it ticking. (If necessary, slide the switch to this setting). Start the timer: Turn the timer upside- down, and make sure it's on the 3- minute ( Roll it only on the die-rolling board to prevent possible damage to table tops. The rolled letter is the key letter that will be used in this round of play.Ĭaution: the 20-sided die is heavy. One player rolls the letter die on the board and calls out the rolled letter. Make sure each player is using the same List #. Decide which List # you want to use, and clip the card onto the folder so that it is facing you. To play a round, do the following steps in order:Įach player takes a folder. Each set has 8 cards.įor all 6 folders, do the following: slide a set of category cards under the left clip, an answer sheet under the middle and right clips, and a pencil into the middle holder.
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Separate the category cards into 6 sets of List #1 through List #16. Score points if no other player matches your answers. Quickly fill out a category list with answers that begin with the same letter.
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