Apples to Apples

One of the most fun family games currently on the market is Apples to Apples, published by Mattel (formerly Out Of The Box).  The card game is available in numerous editions, including variations aimed specifically towards children.  The game is easy to learn - explaining the rules takes only a few minutes - and it's easy to jump straight in and get playing.  And since the game never plays the same way twice, you'll never get tired of this fun party game.

Apples to Apples is a fairly simple game.  All you need to play is the deck of cards provided, which is divided into two types of cards - noun cards, which bear the name of a person, place, thing, or concept; and adjective cards, which contain descriptors like "outrageous" or "happy".  Noun cards are dealt to each player, and then the dealer turns over an adjective card in the middle of the table.  Players place the card from their hand that they feel suits the adjective best face down in front of them, and the dealer collects and shuffles the cards.  He then selects the card he feels best represents the adjective, and the winner collects the adjective card for a "point".  The dealer then passes his duties to the next player, and play can continue to any set point goal.

The art of Apples to Apples comes in not only deciding whether "Godzilla" or "Your mother-in-law" best suits an adjective like "scary", but also in reading the dealer.  Since the dealer makes the final decision, playing a card to appeal to his or her peculiar sense of humor can often be the key to taking a point.  The forced selection of noun cards forces players to think around corners when justifying their plays, and much humor can be had from an awkward card match.  As a party game, Apples to Apples is second to none.