Objective of the Game
The objective of Alias is for one player to explain words from a list to their partner without actually saying the word or any immediate variations of it. The partner must guess the words to score points. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.
Setup
- Game Setup: Depending on the version of Alias, you will need a special Alias card set. These cards contain the words to be explained.
- Divide players into teams (at least two teams are required).
- Each team receives a game piece and starts on the starting field of a game board, if available.
- Have a stopwatch or timer ready to measure the time for each game round.
Game Rules
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Start of the Round: A team chooses a player to be the explainer, who draws the top card from the Alias deck.
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Explaining the Words: The explainer has a set amount of time (usually 60 seconds) to explain as many words as possible from the card. The word itself or parts of it must not be used. Synonyms, descriptions, and hints are allowed.
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Guessing: The partner tries to guess the words. For each correct answer, the team moves its piece forward on the board according to the number of words guessed correctly.
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Incorrect Answers: For each word skipped by the explainer or guessed incorrectly, there could be a rule that deducts a point, depending on the version of Alias.
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Next Player: Once the time is up, the explaining team changes. The next team takes its turn.
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Reaching the Goal: The first team to reach the end of the board wins the game.
Strategies and Tips
- Speed and Clarity: The explainer should be precise but as quick as possible to cover many words in the given time.
- Teamwork: Well-practiced teams may develop codes or hints to communicate faster.
- Challenges: Some words are challenging to explain. Try to give small but clear hints without nearing the exact words or derivatives.
Alias is a fantastic game for groups, requiring both verbal skill and quick thinking, while providing a lot of fun and laughter.
