Apples to Apples

Overview

A judge plays a describing word, and everyone else plays the card they think it best describes. The judge picks. There's no right answer, which is the game.

Checked against Mattel's Apples to Apples Party Box instructions (BGG15, ©2013). Other editions, such as Junior and Big Picture, have their own rules.

1. Setup

4 to 8 players.

• Red Apple cards name a person, place, thing or event.
• Green Apple cards each carry two describing words.

Shuffle each deck. Choose a first judge, who deals five Red Apple cards to every player, including themselves.

2. A round

1. The judge turns over a Green Apple card, chooses one of its two words, reads it aloud and puts the card face up.
2. Everyone except the judge plays the Red Apple card they think that word best describes, face down.
3. The judge mixes the cards, then turns each over and reads it out.
4. Table talk: players argue for their card and try to convince the judge. Mattel calls this one of the most important parts of the game.
5. The judge picks the card they think the word best describes. Whoever played it wins the Green Apple card and keeps it on the table.
6. Played Red Apple cards go to a discard pile. The decks and the role of judge pass left, and the new judge deals everyone back up to five.

Cards that start with "My" are read from the judge's point of view: "My Love Life" means the judge's love life.

It's fine to play a card that isn't a perfect fit. Judges often pick the most creative or funny answer.

3. Winning

The first player to collect 4 Green Apple cards wins.

4. Variations in the rules

• Quick Pick, with five or more players: the last Red Apple card put down isn't judged and goes back to that player's hand.
• Crab Apples: play and judge the card that's least like, or the opposite of, the word.
• 2 for 1 Apples: play the card best described by both words on the Green Apple card.

Commonly argued

• Five cards in hand, not seven, in the Party Box.
• First to four Green Apple cards wins, whatever the number of players.
• The judge chooses which of the two words to use.
• Arguing your case is part of the game.
• "My" cards mean the judge's, not yours.
• The judge's decision needs no justification. They pick the card they think fits best, by any standard they like.