Apples to Apples

OVERVIEW

What it is

This is a card game for a large group of people, though game play could commence with as few as 4. Players lay cards and get points for guessing correctly which card from their hand the dealer is most likely to pick. 

Quick start rules

Players take turns as the dealer and lay a green card with an adjective. All other players anonymously submit red cards (mainly nouns) from their hand. The dealer chooses the one that s/he feels best fits the adjective provided. The player whose card is chosen gets that card (and corresponding point). The next player becomes the dealer and so on until someone gathers enough cards/points to win (number of points to achieve a win is set based on number of players in the game). 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

We first played this as part of a board game night and somewhat reluctantly, as we liked the strategy games at this particular night the best. Were we ever wrong! The game could be as hilarious or as serious as we liked, and we learned a lot about the gamers with whom we played in quick order. Having knowledge of the dealer previously gave some advantage in some cases, but not always, and this game seems to have a fair amount of "beginner's luck" associated with it.

WHAT WE THINK NOW

 If we have a large group of people and need a game that requires little skill to play and a lot of appeal for a wide range of individuals, Apples to Apples is our go-to game. We have yet to play this with a group that didn't like it. 

Our 7 year old has played this successfully, but it is a game much more geared towards adults. Many of the cards are not people/things that a younger child would know.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Suggested ages

Box:

12+

Developmental Skills Actually Necessary:

The ability to read the cards and understand the instructions of the game

Rating and Maturity:

Depends (a LOT!) on the group playing, but is not overtly anything other than family friendly

Play Time

30 minutes

Space Necessary

Space for as many individuals as are playing, plus a central location to place cards (does not need to be large)