The Christmas period is time for some fun and relaxation time with family, that is, unless you bring the board games out.
We've all been there - a game of Monopoly that gets too personal or a game of Pictionary that results in a broken pencil, games nights can be brutal.
But there's an easy play that competitive families should try their hand at, and it's called Cards Against Humanity.
The 2011 creation is a risque game that might leave family looking at you differently after playing an overly-offensive card to win the round.
Advert
Yes, we're looking at the 'Daniel Radcliffe's Delicious A******e' card.
So if you're looking to give the game a go, give your mum a heads up and plough on.
The only issue with the game itself, rude words excluded, is that once you go through all the card, you're left looking for a different way to play.
But did you know that there's a bunch of house rules that you can try to incorporate?
In a typical game, each player draws ten White cards, and one person is appointed the Card Czar.
Each time the Card Czar plays a Black Card - which contains a question of a fill-in-the-blank sentence - each player must play one of their White cards to complete the card.
All White cards are played face down, and the Card Czar shuffles them all before looking through them and picking out a winner.
Some of the classic switch-ups include:
- Happy Ending: When you're ready to stop playing, play the 'Make a haiku' Black Card to end the game. This is the official ceremonial ending of a good game of Cards Against Humanity, and this card should be reserved for the end.
- Rebooting the Universe: At any time, players may trade in an Awesome Point to return as many White Cards as they'd like to the deck and draw back up to ten.
- God Is Dead: Play without a Card Czar. Each player picks his or her favourite card each round. The card with the most votes wins the round.
- Survival of the Fittest: After everyone has answered the question, players take turns eliminating one card each. The last remaining card is declared the funniest.
- Never Have I Ever: At any time, players may discard cards that they don't understand, but they must confess their ignorance to the group and suffer the resulting humiliation.
- Rando Cardrissian: Every round, pick a random white card and place it into play. This card belongs to an imaginary player called Rando Cardrissian. If he wins the game, you all go home in a state of everlasting shame.
If that isn't weird enough for you, some editions of Cards Against Humanity come with some really off the wall options.
One game owner was baffled when she checked her instruction manual and found some of these House Rules:
- Chubby Bunny: Players crumple up their winning cards and keep them in their mouths as points.
- Freaky Friday: Players play Cards Against Humanity while wearing their mothers' underpants.
- Hard Mode: Play Cards Against Humanity while raising four kids, dealing with chronic back pain, and waiting tables at Chili's. Bonus! For an added challenge, try being gay or Black.
- Tie Breaker: If the Card Czar can't decide between two White cards, he or she may declare a Tie Breaker. In the event of a Tie Breaker, the more conventionally attractive player wins.
- Don't play Cards Against Humanity: Walk to the park. Call your mother. Live a little.
A lot to digest here, I know. But these are all surefire ways to spice up your stale game.
Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals.
Joshua Nair