Read this out first

Contact

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.

first round is practice. stop and ask anytime.

Set up · 1 of 2

Pick someone to be the Keeper. They think of a secret word: a real word, ideally five letters or more.

Set up · 2 of 2

The Keeper says the first letter out loud. That's the only free letter.

How to play · 1 of 6

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".

How to play · 2 of 6

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.

How to play · 3 of 6

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.

How to play · 4 of 6

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.

How to play · 5 of 6

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.

How to play · 6 of 6

Keep going

Clues now have to fit the longer start. Anyone can take a guess at the secret word itself at any time.

How to win

Whoever says the secret word wins and becomes the next Keeper. That counts if it happens during a contact, too.