| Playing the Game |
| 1. |
The judge picks a green apple
card from the top of the stack, reads the word aloud,
and places it face up on the table. |
| 2. |
Players (except the judge) choose
the red apple card from their hand that is best described
by the word on the green apple card played by the judge.
Players quickly place these red apple cards face down
on the table, according to the following rules – |
| |
Six or more players: |
| |
• |
The last red apple card placed on the table
will not be judged and is returned to that player’s hand. |
| |
|
If you snooze, you lose! |
| |
Four or five players: |
| |
• |
Only the first four red apple cards placed
on the table will be judged. |
| |
• |
Players may play one or two red apple cards
from their hand. (Players attempting to play two cards
must place them on the table, one card at a time.) |
| |
|
Nothing ventured, nothing gained! |
| 3. |
The judge mixes the red apple
cards so no one knows who played which card. The judge
turns over each red apple card, reads it aloud, and then
selects the one he or she thinks is best described by
the word on the green apple card. The player of the selected
red apple card is awarded the green apple card played
by the judge. |
| 4. |
To keep score, players keep
the green apple cards they have won until the end of the
game. |
| 5. |
The judge collects all of the
red apple cards played during that round and discards
them into the box bottom. |
| 6. |
The card tray, and the role
of judge, passes to the player on the left. The new judge
deals enough red apple cards to bring each player's hand
back up to seven. |
| 7. |
Play continues following steps
1-6 until someone has earned enough green apple cards
to win the game! |
| |
| WINNING THE GAME |
Number
of Players |
Green Apple Cards
Need to Win |
| 4 |
8 |
| 5 |
7 |
| 6 |
6 |
| 7 |
5 |
| 8-10 |
4 |
|
| Want to Play Again? |
| |
Simply return the played green
apple cards to the bottom of the card stack. Pass the
card tray to the next judge and you’re ready to play again!
|
| |
If you reach the end of
the red apple card stacks, just shuffle the discards
and refill the card tray. The card combinations in Apples
to Apples are virtually limitless. |
| Playing Tips |
| • |
It's OK to play a red apple
card that isn't a perfect fit. Judges will often pick
the most creative, humorous or interesting response. |
| • |
Lobbying and "table talk"
are encouraged! Players can comment on cards and try to
convince the judge to pick a particular card – either
their own or a favorite choice. |
| • |
Playing red apple cards that
appeal to the judge can improve your chances of winning.
This is often called "playing to the judge."
|
| • |
Red apple cards that begin with
"My" should be read from the judge's point of
view. For example, when the judge reads "My Love
Life," it should be assumed that it is the judge's
love life that is being described by the word on the green
apple card. |
