Apples to Apples: like Uno and Go Fish, it’s the family card game that’s as simple as comparing fruit, but way more fun. This is your go-to for a hilarious party game that’s easy to learn, no matter your age. Whether you’ve got a group of four or ten people, get ready for some laugh-out-loud moments.
What You Need
So you’re ready to dive into a game of Apples to Apples? This party game, a card game of hilarious comparisons, requires a few key ingredients.
First, you’ll have your red apple cards – these are filled with nouns, representing all sorts of people, places, and things.
Next, you’ll need your green apple cards. These cards hold the adjectives, those descriptive words that’ll have you debating whether a kitten is more “cute” or “chaotic.” To keep your game organized (because nobody wants a card-tastrophe), you’ll find a card tray.
And, of course, there’s the rulebook, though with this awesome guide, you might not even need it! Apples to Apples is designed for four to ten players, ages twelve and up, and the goal of the game is to collect the most green apple cards by making the funniest or most fitting matches.
Setting Up the Game
Okay, let’s get this Apples to Apples game set up!
Step 1: Shuffle! Grab those red apple cards and give them a good shuffle – we don’t want any Napoleon Dynamite moments with rigged decks here! Do the same with the green apple cards.
Step 2: Choose the Judge: The judge for the first round is a very important role. You can pick whoever seems most likely to appreciate the finer points of comparing ninjas to grandmas.
Step 3: Deal the Cards: Once you’ve crowned your judge, they’ll use the card tray to deal out seven red apple cards to each player, including themselves.
How to Play Apples to Apples
Here’s how the hilarious comparisons begin in Apples to Apples:
Step 1: The Judge’s Card. The judge draws the top green apple card from the deck – let’s say it reads “Delicious” – and announces it to the group.
Step 2: Find Your Match. Now it’s time for everyone else to bring their A-game (the judge gets to sit back and enjoy the show this round). Each player selects a red apple card from their hand that they think best matches “Delicious.” Maybe you’ve got a card that says “Chocolate Cake” – slam that down!
Step 3: Reveal and Decide. Once everyone’s laid down their card face-down, the judge shuffles them to keep things anonymous. Then, the judge reveals each card one by one, reading them aloud. It’s up to the judge to decide which card wins – in this case, which card embodies “Delicious” the most.
Step 4: Claim Your Point. The winner gets to snag that green apple card as a point, the played red apple cards are discarded, and the role of judge passes to the left. New round, new judge, new chance to prove your apple-matching skills!
Winning the Game
So, you’re neck-and-neck in this hilarious game of Apples to Apples, but how do you actually snag the victory?
It all comes down to those green apple cards! Each green apple card you win represents a point. The first player to collect enough green apple cards (and therefore, points) is crowned the champion of hilarious comparisons!
How many green apple cards do you need to win? That depends on how many players are in the game. Check out this handy chart:
Apples to Apples: Cards to Win
| Number of Players | Green Apple Cards Needed to Win |
|---|---|
| 4 Players | 8 Cards |
| 5 Players | 7 Cards |
| 6 Players | 6 Cards |
| 7 Players | 5 Cards |
| 8-10 Players | 4 Cards |
Optional: You could also play a set number of rounds – whoever has the most points at the end wins!
Apples to Apples Variations
Okay, so you’ve mastered the art of basic apple-matching. Ready to spice things up? Let’s get weird with some Apples to Apples variations – and I’m not just talking about funky rules!
Crab Apples: Embrace Your Inner Contrarian!
This one’s for the rebels! Instead of finding the best match, you’re looking for the red apple card that’s the opposite of the green apple card. Imagine the judge throws down “Majestic.” What’s the opposite of that? How about “A Pile of Dirty Laundry”? Because nothing says ‘not majestic’ like the aftermath of laundry day!
Apple Potpourri: Matchmaking in the Dark
Talk about a wild card! In this version, everyone chooses their red apple card before the judge reveals the green apple card. It’s like choosing a blind date – you have no idea what you’re getting into! Say you go out on a limb and pick “A Unicorn.” Will the green apple card be “Sparkly,” “Mythical,” or maybe even “Overrated”? It’s unpredictable and hilarious – a bit like trying to match socks in the dark.
2-for-1 Apples: Double the Challenge, Double the Fun
Double the apples, double the fun! This time, the judge plays two green apple cards. Now you’ve got to channel your inner matchmaker and find a red apple card that tickles two boxes at once. Think “Dangerous” and “Delicious.” What fits that bill? “Chocolate Lava Cake,” of course! It’s a dangerous game eating molten hot cake, but oh-so-delicious!
Party Box Bonanza: Level Up Your Apple Arsenal
If you’re serious about your apple-comparing (or, let’s be real, just love a good excuse to laugh for hours), the Apples to Apples Party Box is the way to go. It’s packed with a mountain of hilarious red apple cards and descriptive green apple cards, which means more outlandish combinations and endless possibilities for side-splitting fun!
Junior Jumble: Fun for Budding Wordsmiths
Got younger players? Apples to Apples Junior is perfect for ages 9 and up! It has all the same laugh-out-loud fun as the original game, but with simpler vocabulary and relatable themes that kids can easily grasp.
Theme-Park of Apples: Explore New Worlds of Hilarity
Ready to take your apple-matching adventures to a whole new level? Hop aboard the Apples to Apples theme-park of editions! Dive into the magical world of Apples to Apples Disney, explore timeless stories with Apples to Apples Bible Edition, or brace yourself for the hilariously awkward world of Apples to Apples Big Mouth!
Tips and Strategies
Alright, so you’ve mastered the basics of apple-matching in Apples to Apples. Ready to level up and become a true apple-slinging strategist? This isn’t just a game of chance – it’s a battle of wits, a humor hurricane, a…well, you get the idea. Here’s how to outsmart your opponents and collect enough green apple cards to become the envy of every orchard:
Know Your Audience (Beyond the Judge)
The judge might hold the green apple card that determines the winner, but don’t forget about the other players. What makes them laugh? What kind of red apple cards have they been playing? If you can crack their humor code, you can predict their moves and play yours accordingly. It’s like poker, but with adjectives and Abraham Lincoln.
For instance: Let’s say your friend Sarah always laughs at the most absurd combinations. If the green apple card is “Romantic,” and you have to choose between “A Bouquet of Roses” and “A Roomba Vacuum Cleaner,” maybe the Roomba is the way to go!
Play the Player, Not Just the Card
This is where things get juicy! Apples to Apples is as much about psychology as it is about matching. Got a friend who overthinks everything? Hit them with a simple, unexpected match. Someone on a winning streak? Try to anticipate their play and block them by playing an equally strong card. It’s all about outsmarting your opponents and claiming those sweet, sweet green apple points!
Imagine Tom, who loves history, is the judge. The green apple card is “Powerful.” You’re holding “Genghis Khan.” Seems like a sure win? Not so fast! What if another player also has a historical figure? Maybe “My Mom” – a classic underdog – steals the win with its humor!
Don’t Be Afraid to Be the Contrarian
Sometimes, the best way to stand out in Apples to Apples is to zig when everyone else zags. If all the other players are playing it safe with literal matches, a well-placed ironic or humorous mismatch can be a real showstopper – especially if you’ve got a judge who appreciates a good curveball.
Example time: The green apple card is “Beautiful.” Everyone else is playing cards like “Sunsets” and “Rainbows.” Time to shake things up! Slap down “My Dog’s Breath.” Is it beautiful? Debatable. Is it hilarious? You bet!
Control the Tempo (If You Can)
Remember, every green apple card counts in the race to victory. When you’re on a winning streak, keep that energy going! Be decisive with your card choices and encourage the judge to keep things moving. But if you’re lagging behind, take a moment to observe your opponents, strategize, and maybe even try to subtly influence the game with some well-placed, lighthearted table talk. You never know – a well-timed distraction could be your ticket to a comeback!
Imagine this: You’re behind by a couple of green apple cards, and the player to your right always takes ages to choose a card. This is your chance! Start a conversation about the funniest card you’ve seen all night. It might just throw them off their game (and buy you some extra thinking time).
