Party Games
How to play Apples to Apples
Choose the response you think this judge will find best described by the green word. Preference and persuasion decide the round, not a dictionary answer.
What you need
BGG15 red response cards and green descriptive cards
Set up the game
- Shuffle colors separately. Choose a judge and deal five red cards to everyone, including the judge. Keep green cards as a shared deck.
Playing Apples to Apples
- Judge reveals green, chooses one of its two words and reads it aloud.
- Everyone except the judge submits one red card face down. Judge mixes and reads the responses.
- Players may explain their choices. Judge chooses a preferred response; its player keeps the green card as a point.
- Discard submitted red cards. Pass judging left and replenish every hand to five. First player with four green cards wins.
A comparison works more than one way
Imagine the chosen word is “noisy.” A marching band is a direct fit; a squeaky shopping cart might win through a familiar image. Neither has a numerical advantage. If a response starts “My,” read it from the judge’s viewpoint so everyone understands the same comparison.
Choose the group’s style
The sheet permits persuasive table talk. Say whether your group wants gentle literal comparisons or playful exaggeration. This sets tone; it does not add a requirement for the judge to justify their selection. Junior and picture products have different cards and may differ in procedure.
Beginner decisions
- Notice whether the judge rewards literal matching, irony or absurdity. The most factual response does not automatically win.
- Keep explanations short enough that every response gets attention; a long story can hide your intended connection.
Common rule mix-ups
- Letting the judge submit to their own prompt.
- Using an older seven-card hand rule while claiming to follow BGG15.
Questions about this game
Must both green words fit?
Not normally; the judge chooses one. The printed “2 for 1” variation uses both.
Is the slowest response rejected?
Only under optional Quick Pick with five or more players.
Sources and edition notes
Mattel BGG15 sheet (2013): five red cards, first to four green cards. Other Party Box printings differ.
Sources and stated format checked October 14, 2026. This records a document check, not a claim of hands-on testing.
Report a rule or edition correction →