Scattergories Rules

What is Scattergories?

Scattergories is a word-based party game for 2 to 6 players. Each round gives everyone the same category list and the same starting letter. Before time runs out, players try to write one valid answer for as many categories as possible.

The catch is that simply finding a correct answer is not always enough. To score, your answer also needs to be different from the answers given by the other players.

What comes with Scattergories?

The official game includes:

• 6 folders
• 6 answer pads
• 18 category cards
• letter die
• timer
• die-rolling board
• 6 pencils

Each folder holds an answer sheet and a category card, allowing all players to work from the same list during a round.

How to set up Scattergories

Before starting, place an answer pad into each folder and insert the same numbered category list for every player.

Each player takes one folder and a pencil.

Set the timer, place the letter die on the rolling board and make sure everyone is ready with the same category list showing.

How to play Scattergories

A standard game is played over three rounds. Each round uses a new letter and a new column on the answer sheet.

Scattergories step by step

1. Roll the letter die
   One player rolls the special letter die. The result becomes the key letter for that round.

2. Start the timer
   Once the letter has been announced, start the timer immediately.

3. Write answers for the categories
   Everyone works through the same 12 categories and writes one answer for each. Every answer must fit the category and begin with the rolled letter.

4. Stop when time runs out
   As soon as the timer finishes, everyone must stop writing.

5. Read the answers aloud
   Players go through the categories one at a time and read out their answers.

6. Remove matching answers
   If two or more players wrote the same answer for a category, none of those matching answers score.

7. Score the unique answers
   Each acceptable answer that does not match another player's answer scores 1 point.

8. Begin the next round
   Reset the timer, roll a new letter and use the next answer column. If the same letter appears again during the game, reroll until a different letter is produced.

Scattergories scoring

Scoring is deliberately simple.

You earn 1 point for each answer that:

• fits the category
• begins with the correct letter
• does not match another player's answer

For example, if the letter is C and the category is "U.S. Cities", an answer such as Chicago would be valid.

However, if another player also writes Chicago, both answers are cancelled and neither player scores.

What counts as a valid answer?

The first word of an answer must normally begin with the rolled letter.

There are a few important exceptions and clarifications.

Articles do not count

Words such as A, An and The do not determine the starting letter.

For example, if the letter is T, The Shining would not qualify simply because it begins with "The". The important word is Shining.

Proper names can use either name

When answering with a person's name, either the first or last name may be used as long as the relevant name begins with the correct letter.

For example, with P for the category "Celebrity", either Paul Newman or Presley, Elvis can qualify.

You cannot reuse the exact same answer

The same exact answer cannot normally be used twice in one round.

For example, if Daisy is used as a flower, you cannot also use Daisy again as a girl's name.

Creative answers are allowed

Scattergories rewards creativity. An unusual answer may be accepted as long as the group agrees that it genuinely fits the category.

The official rules specifically allow players to challenge answers they believe are questionable.

What happens when an answer is challenged?

If someone believes an answer should not count, the group votes.

Players who think the answer is valid give a thumbs-up, while players who reject it give a thumbs-down. The player whose answer is being challenged also votes.

The majority decides.

If the vote is tied, the challenged player's own vote does not count, which means the remaining players decide whether the answer is accepted.

How do you win Scattergories?

After all three rounds have been completed, every player adds together their scores.

The player with the highest total score wins.

If two players are tied, those players play an additional round with a new letter. The tied player who scores highest in that extra round wins the game.

Scattergories game variations

The official rules also include a couple of optional ways to change the game.

Extra points

When using proper names or titles, players can award extra points when the key letter appears more than once as the first letter of words in the answer.

For example, if the letter is H, an answer such as Hubert Horatio Humphrey could score multiple points under this variation.

Time Challenge

The timer contains several shorter settings. Instead of using the full amount of time, players can choose one of these shorter settings to make the round more difficult and increase the pressure.

Tips for better Scattergories answers

The easiest answer is often the one everyone else thinks of as well.

Instead of immediately writing the most obvious option, spend a second looking for something more unusual that still clearly fits the category. A slightly less obvious answer is far more valuable if nobody else writes it.

It also helps to keep moving. If one category is slowing you down, skip it temporarily and return later rather than wasting most of the round on a single answer.

Finally, avoid answers that require too much explanation. Creative answers are allowed, but if your answer is so unusual that you need to argue for it every round, you're relying too heavily on the voting system.

Scattergories rules summary