Contact
One player knows a secret word. Everyone else trades clues to pry out its letters until someone guesses it.
the best bit: two friends yell the same word and the keeper groans
- Players
- 3–10 (best with 4–6)
- Time
- 15–40 min
- Learn in
- A few minutes
- Mood
- Lively
- Format
- One vs. everyone
The 30-second version
One player picks a secret word and reveals only its first letter. Everyone else gives each other clues to words that start the same way. If two guessers say the same word at the same time, and the keeper couldn't block it, the keeper has to give up the next letter. Whoever names the secret word wins.
don't explain it all up front. play one practice round.
Grab these
Nothing at all. just your people.
Set up
- Pick someone to be the Keeper. They think of a secret word: a real word, ideally five letters or more.
- The Keeper says the first letter out loud. That's the only free letter.
How to play
-
Think of a word that fits
Any guesser thinks of a word that starts with every letter revealed so far. If the Keeper has given "P", you might think of "panda".
-
Give a clue
Describe your word to the room without saying it: "Is it a bear that only eats bamboo?" The clue is for the other guessers, not the Keeper.
-
Call "Contact!"
If another guesser thinks they know your word, they shout "Contact!" The two of you count down from three and say your words at the same time.
-
The Keeper can block
Before the countdown ends, the Keeper can block by naming the word: "No, it's not panda." If they're right, that clue is dead and someone gives a new one.
-
Make contact, win a letter
If the two guessers say the same word and the Keeper didn't block it, the Keeper reveals the next letter of the secret word.
-
Keep going
Clues now have to fit the longer start. Anyone can take a guess at the secret word itself at any time.
for example…
The Keeper is thinking of "PANCAKE" and says "P". Sam asks, "Is it a bear that only eats bamboo?" Jo shouts "Contact!" and the Keeper can't block in time. "Three, two, one: panda!" They match, so the Keeper reveals "A". Now every clue has to start with "PA".
How to win
Whoever says the secret word wins and becomes the next Keeper. That counts if it happens during a contact, too.
Once you know it
- Category Contact
- The Keeper announces a category up front, like food, animals or movies. It's gentler and great for a first game.
From experience…
- Keepers: pick words with an awkward start. Words beginning with "PS" or "KN" run out of clues fast.
- Guessers: make your clues obvious to your friends and obscure to the Keeper. Inside jokes are fair game.
- Clue words must be real words. Agree up front whether names count.