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Tips for Scattergories

"Scattergories" is a fast-thinking categories game where players race against time to name a restaurant, Halloween costume, author, fruit and other types of items. However, all answers must start with the same letter as determined by a roll of the 20-sided die. The object of "Scattergories" is to fill out a category list with answers that all begin with the key letter and score the most points by using creativity to make sure you don't end up with the same answers as someone else.

Earn Extra Points
- Each category card may feature only 12 categories, but don't be fooled into thinking that 12 is the maximum number of points you can earn each round. Earn extra points by using the key letter as a first letter more than once in your answer. For example, using "Ronald Reagan" for the category "Presidents" will earn you two points, while using "Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough" for the category "Ice Cream Flavors" will earn you three points, as long as no one else uses the same answer.
Proper Names
- When using a proper name as an answer, you can use the first or last name, as long as the key letter is the first letter of your answer. For example, if the key letter is "J" and the category is "Presidents," you can answer with "James Madison" or "Jefferson, Thomas."
Creative Answers
- All of your answers should be unique, but you can take your creativity even further with what the "Scattergories" game rules call "creative answers." For example, you can answer "Knuckle" for the category "Sandwiches" or "Posh" for the category "Spices/Herbs." While creative answers are acceptable, according to the game rules, other players can challenge your creative answer and vote on its acceptability.
Challenge Answers
- Challenging answers can work for or against you, depending on whether you are the challenger or the challenged. While you can't earn extra points for challenging an answer, you can use this tactic to keep your opponents from scoring. When challenging a player's answer, all players, including the challenged player, vote on whether or not the answer is acceptable with a thumbs-up or a thumbs-down. A thumbs-up majority means the answer is acceptable, earning the challenged player his or her point, while a thumbs-down majority means the answer is not acceptable, earning the challenged player no point.

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