Throw a Balderdash Party
Balderdash is a game of wit, humor and bluffing in which players supply the answers to prompts that are listed on cards. In Beyond Balderdash, for example, obscure words, dates, movies, abbreviations, names and movie plots are provided, and players must come up with a fake answer that will convince the others that theirs is correct. Somewhere in the pile, there will be the correct answer. Some play to win; for others, coming up with the funniest answer is winning in itself. Either way, a Balderdash party is a surefire way to kick up a gathering for people who enjoy brain games such as Cranium and Dictionary. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Buy the game. Balderdash or Beyond Balderdash are found wherever games are sold. In Balderdash, only obscure words are listed on the cards. Beyond Balderdash packs a more powerful punch by offering a variety of categories. For a successful Balderdash party that offers something for everyone, opt for Beyond Balderdash.
2. Pick a number. A good Balderdash party is all about numbers and the types of people you pick. While the game calls for two to six players, insist on at least four or five and do not stop at six. The more, the better. The game includes pieces, a die and a board, but a lot of the fun is in going through rounds without keeping score. This is especially recommended if the group surpasses the six threshold.
3. Make sure you have the right mix of people. Look for intellectual, fun-loving types. While the shy and self-conscious may be able to handle the anonymous nature of the game, they had better have a thick skin when people are laughing if they use the wrong Kennedy in their fake answer or got the decade wrong.
4. Offer something for the others. Make sure there’s a movie on television, and ample refreshments for people who realize halfway through that they’re not cut out for a Balderdash party. It’s not for everyone, and there’s nothing worse than somebody staying in the game out of politeness. The quality of the answers will suffer.
5. Know when to fold ‘em. It’s completely up to the host when to end the game. It may behoove the host to set a time limit before the party starts, or just go with the flow. These games can last several hours or 45 minutes, depending on the crowd and the success of the party. Don’t let a Balderdash party outlast its welcome; it’s much more delightful to bow out gracefully at the earliest stages of the game waning. Nothing is worse than a bunch of tired, bored grumps trying to come up with witty answers at 2 a.m. because the host hasn’t signaled an end to the night.
Tags: Balderdash party, Beyond Balderdash, cards Beyond, cards Beyond Balderdash, come with, fake answer, listed cards