How To Play 30 Seconds

30 Seconds is an engaging description game designed for two or more teams, with larger teams typically leading to more lively gameplay. For optimal enjoyment, it's recommended to have more players per team. For instance, if six individuals are interested in playing, forming two teams of three players each is preferable over three teams of two. However, even as few as three people can partake in 30 Seconds, with specific rules tailored for this scenario.

In 30 Seconds, the primary objective is for teams to be the first to reach the FINISH square on the game board. To advance, teams must accurately identify the names that their teammates are describing within the given time limit. Each turn lasts for 30 seconds, during which teams aim to identify as many names as possible. Typically, teams strive to recognize up to five names within this time frame, making every second crucial for success.

The game's dynamic nature encourages quick thinking and effective communication within teams as they race against the clock to identify as many names as possible. With the pressure of the timer ticking away, players must rely on their ability to convey descriptions efficiently and their teammates' capacity to decipher them swiftly. As teams progress through the game board, the competition intensifies, adding an extra layer of excitement to each round of play.

• 240 Cards (2 400 Names)
• 1 Game Board
• 1 Thirty Second Timer
• 1 Die
• 4 Playing Tokens
• Official 30 Seconds Game Rules And Instructions

Perparation: Players form teams and choose a token to represent their team, placing it on the START square. Each team rolls the die, and the team with the highest roll begins the game. In case of a tie for the highest roll, the tied teams roll again to determine the starting team. Within each team, players establish the order in which they will take turns, which remains consistent throughout the game.

Game Play: The die features numbers 0, 0, 1, 1, 2, and 2. It must be rolled before a team takes a card out of the cardbox at the start of their turn. After the team's turn, the number rolled is subtracted from the number of names the team correctly identified. The team then advances their token the resulting number of squares. For instance, if a team rolled a 2 and identified four names, they move two squares forward. If they rolled a 0 and identified three names, they move three squares forward.

If a team identifies the same number of names or fewer as the number rolled, they stay on the same square. The team starting the game rolls the die. The starting describer selects a card from the 'OUT' side of the cardbox. Each card has blue and yellow sides, and the color of the square where a team's token is located at the beginning of their turn determines which side of the card they use.

For example, if a team's token is on a yellow square, they describe names from the yellow side of the card, and vice versa for blue. (Since the START square is blue, all teams must initially describe names from the blue side of the card). Each side of the card contains five names that can be described in any order. Before the timer is turned over, the describer must not look at the names to be described. The player turning the timer over must say 'GO' as they turn it, and the describer can begin describing once 'GO' is called out.

As the describer describes, the identifiers shout out their guesses. It's up to the other teams to monitor the timer and announce "TIME UP" when it expires. The number rolled at the turn's start is deducted from the correctly identified names, and the token is advanced accordingly. The card should be returned to the 'IN' side of the cardbox, and the die is passed to the left.

If three players want to participate, one player must serve as the describer for both teams throughout the game. Otherwise, the game rules remain unchanged.

If a player breaks any of the rules, their team's turn ends instantly, and their token is moved back one square.

Players take on the roles of describers and identifiers, with each player taking turns in both roles. The describer within a team must rotate with each turn. Describers are allowed to describe the names in any manner they choose, including singing, humming, and gesturing. They can describe the names in any order and use the words "and" and "the" that appear in some of the names.

However, describers are prohibited from saying the actual names on the card, looking at the names before the timer starts, saying any names or related words, using "sounds-like" or "rhymes-with" tactics, mentioning the letters of the alphabet, using translations, or pointing to anything. On the other hand, identifiers are permitted to use the letters of the alphabet.

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Please keep in mind that the official 30 Seconds PDF rules listed below could be different depending on the version you have. They should be an exact copy of what came in your original packaging. Download them to view now or print them for later use.

• Official 30 Seconds Game Rules

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