Scattergories: Guide to Best Strategies, Rules, and Winning Instructions

Introduction

Scattergories is a creative thinking party game that I have enjoyed for many years with friends. The game was originally published by Parker Brothers in 1988 (now a subsidiary of Hasbro). The objective of Scattergories is to quickly come up with items that fit a specific category, starting with a certain letter.

The game is played in rounds, and the player with the most unique words at the end of all rounds wins. To play Scattergories, you need the game box, which includes a 20-sided letter die, a timer, category cards, and answer pads. You can also play online, which I’ve linked below.

If you like Scattergories, I also recommend checking out Codenames for a similar but more asymmetric game experience. Pictionary is also similar, but more visual-based.

Rules for Playing Scattergories

The official rules for Scattergories are quite straightforward. Each round starts with the roll of the 20-sided die, which determines the letter for that round. Then, a list of categories is chosen, and the timer is set. Players must come up with an answer for each category that starts with the designated letter. The trick is to think of unique answers that no other player will think of, as duplicate answers do not score points. There are also some ‘house rules’ that you can incorporate to make the game more interesting, such as allowing two-word answers where the first word is an adjective that describes the second word.

When answering with a proper name, the first or last name can be used, as long as the key letter is the first letter of your answer. For example, if the key letter is “J” in the “‘”Famous Musicians” category, your answer could be John Meyer or John, Elton.

Creative answers are also acceptable, according to the official rules. For example, you could answer “Knuckle” in a “Sandwich” category. But, if one player in the group decides to challenge your answer, it goes to a majority vote on whether it’s an acceptable answer.

Challenging Answers: While answers are being read, other players can challenge their acceptability. When an answer is challenged, all players (even the challenged player) vote on whether it’s acceptable. Players who accept the answer give a thumbs-up sign. Players who do not accept the answer give a thumbs-down. Majority wins (so you’d need 4 thumbs up in a group of 6 to be acceptable). If the vote is tied, the challenged player’s vote doesn’t count.

Official Scattergories Rulebook [PDF] is available here.

How to Play Scattergories

1. Setup: Each player takes an answer pad and a category list. The 20-sided die is rolled to determine the letter for the round.
2. Gameplay: The timer is set, and players must come up with an answer for each category on their list that starts with the designated letter. Players cannot use the same word twice in the same round.
3. End of the Game: When the timer runs out, players compare their answers. Any duplicate answers are crossed out, and players score one point for each unique answer. The player with the most points at the end of all rounds is the winner.

How to Win at Scattergories

Winning at Scattergories requires a combination of quick thinking, broad knowledge, and creativity. Here are some strategies that can help you win:

1. Think Outside the Box: The key to scoring points in Scattergories is to come up with unique answers that no other player will think of. This requires thinking outside the box and being creative with your answers.
2. Use Your Knowledge: Scattergories is a game of knowledge. The more you know about different topics, the more likely you are to come up with unique answers. So, read widely and learn about different topics to increase your chances of winning.
3. Be Quick: Scattergories is a timed game, so you need to think quickly. Practice brainstorming ideas quickly to improve your speed.

Best Strategies for Playing Scattergories

To excel in this game, one of the best strategies is to prepare by expanding your word knowledge across various subjects; the more extensive your vocabulary, the more options you have when categories pop up. It’s crucial to think outside the box and come up with unique answers that other players are less likely to duplicate, as unique answers score more points.

Flexibility in thinking is key—be ready to quickly shift your thought process as categories change. Speed is also of the essence since you’re racing against the timer, so practice writing swiftly and legibly. Additionally, familiarize yourself with the alphabet, as each round focuses on a different letter, and the ability to mentally cycle through the alphabet can help trigger word associations. Lastly, remember to listen to other players’ answers during the review phase; this can inspire new ideas for future rounds and help you gauge the competition’s thinking patterns. With a blend of rapid thinking, a wide-ranging vocabulary, and originality, you can significantly boost your chances of winning at Scattergories.

Here are some of the best general strategies for playing Scattergories:

1. Use Adjectives (if allowed by your house rules!): Using adjectives in your answers can help you come up with unique answers. For example, if the category is ‘Animals’ and the letter is ‘D’, you could write ‘Dancing Dog’ instead of just ‘Dog’. Note: The ‘adjective rule’ in Scattergories is controversial, to say the least. The official rules of Scattergories do not mention or prohibit adjective answers, so best to clarify that with your group before the game starts. It’s often wise to allow adjective answers when playing with younger players.
2. Think of Uncommon Words: Try to think of uncommon words that start with the designated letter. This will increase your chances of coming up with a unique answer.
3. Use the Full Time: Use the full time allotted for each round. Even if you finish early, take the extra time to review your answers and think of more unique ones.

Scenarios for Scattergories

There are many different scenarios that can occur in a game of Scattergories. Here are some common ones and how to handle them:

1. Scenario: You can’t think of any more answers. Solution: Try to think of different aspects of the category. For example, if the category is ‘Fruits’, you could think of different types of fruits, fruits from different countries, etc.
2. Scenario: You have the same answer as another player. Solution: Try to think of more unique answers in the future. Remember, the key to winning Scattergories is to come up with answers that no one else will think of.
3. Scenario: You can’t think of any answers that start with the designated letter. Solution: Try to think of words that start with the designated letter and then see if any of them fit the category.

Frequently Asked Questions about Playing Scattergories

1. Question: Can I use the same word twice in the same round? Answer: No, you cannot use the same word twice in the same round.
2. Question: Can I use a word that starts with the designated letter anywhere in the word? Answer: No, the word must start with the designated letter.
3. Question: Can I use two-word answers? Answer: Yes, you can use two-word answers as long as the first word is an adjective that describes the second word, if your group agrees on that being allowed.
4. Question: What happens if I have the same answer as another player? Answer: If you have the same answer as another player, neither of you score points for that answer.
5. Question: How many rounds are there in a game of Scattergories? Answer: The number of rounds in a game of Scattergories can vary, but a typical game consists of three rounds.

External Links

Play Scattergories online (free, no registration needed)

Scattergories online list generator (plug in a letter, get a list of words)

Official Rulebook [PDF]