Party Games
How to play Apples to Apples
Match noun cards to a judge's adjective and persuade the judge that your choice fits best.
QUICK ANSWER
How do you play Apples to Apples?
Everyone except the judge submits one noun face down; the judge shuffles, reads, and chooses a favorite. Resolve the full result of that action before the next player begins. Continue in order while keeping pieces, scores, resources, or progress visible. Award the green card to the chosen player; first to the agreed number of cards wins.
Jump to the step-by-step rules ↓EDITOR'S TABLE NOTES
Is Apples to Apples a good fit for your group?
This game works especially well for social groups that value laughter, participation, and short explanations more than detailed strategy; the listed 4–10-player range and 30–60 min playing time should also fit the group. Before setting up, decide whether that matches the experience your group wants today.
Rules version covered here
This guide uses a simple, inclusive version designed to keep everyone involved. Decide the time limit, clue restrictions, and tie procedure before beginning. For Apples to Apples, pay particular attention to the stated setup and ending condition below.
QUICK VIDEO GUIDE
Learn Apples to Apples in under a minute
About this video
This original mini lesson covers what you need, setup, normal play, the winning condition, and one beginner tip. Continue below for the complete written guide.
INTERACTIVE LEARN-TO-PLAY
Practice Apples to Apples before the first round
Walk through the setup, try a sample turn, and get a quick answer when play stalls.
Deal red noun cards and choose the first judge, who reveals one green adjective card.
Confirm the starting player, turn direction, and the exact ending condition for Apples to Apples.
Playable example turn
Step 1 of 4
Everyone except the judge submits one noun face down; the judge shuffles, reads, and chooses a favorite.
What should we do now?
Start with this action: Everyone except the judge submits one noun face down; the judge shuffles, reads, and chooses a favorite.
Scoring and winning
Award the green card to the chosen player; first to the agreed number of cards wins.
Common dispute to prevent
Arguing that the judge selected the wrong answer; the judge's preference defines the round. Agree on any edition-specific variation before the first turn.
The objective
Your goal is to match noun cards to a judge's adjective and persuade the judge that your choice fits best. Before play begins, make sure every player can explain how the game ends and what determines the winner. That one check prevents many mid-game disagreements.
What you need
An Apples to Apples set. Lay out every required item before teaching the rules. If pieces, cards, controllers, or play space are missing, resolve that before the practice turn.
How to set up
- Deal red noun cards and choose the first judge, who reveals one green adjective card.
- Confirm the starting player, turn direction, and the exact ending condition for Apples to Apples.
Setup check: Ask one player who did not arrange the game to compare the table, field, or screen with these steps. A fresh look often catches an incorrect starting position.
How to play: step by step
- Everyone except the judge submits one noun face down; the judge shuffles, reads, and chooses a favorite.
- Resolve the full result of that action before the next player begins.
- Continue in order while keeping pieces, scores, resources, or progress visible.
- Award the green card to the chosen player; first to the agreed number of cards wins.
Example first round
A useful first-round walkthrough for Apples to Apples begins this way: Everyone except the judge submits one noun face down; the judge shuffles, reads, and chooses a favorite. Next, resolve the full result of that action before the next player begins. Continue in normal turn order until the ending condition applies: award the green card to the chosen player; first to the agreed number of cards wins.
How scoring and winning work
- The result is determined by the guide's stated objective: Match noun cards to a judge's adjective and persuade the judge that your choice fits best.
- The final step explains when play stops: Award the green card to the chosen player; first to the agreed number of cards wins.
- For the most common rules question, use this clarification consistently: Only if the group agrees, and no one should reveal which card is theirs.
Useful variations
- Use teams or allow a pass so shy players can participate without being singled out.
- For a shorter session, announce a stopping time before starting; 30–60 min is the normal planning range for Apples to Apples.
- When playing with beginners, demonstrate this strategy before scoring begins: Choose for the current judge's humor and associations rather than searching for one objectively correct match.
Beginner strategies
- Choose for the current judge's humor and associations rather than searching for one objectively correct match.
- After each round, identify which decision created the strongest position and test that lesson in the next game.
Choose one of these ideas for the first game instead of trying to remember every strategy at once. Afterward, identify one decision that changed the result and one move you would test next time.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Arguing that the judge selected the wrong answer; the judge's preference defines the round.
- Mixing rules from another edition or a familiar house version without telling the other players.
If an illegal move is discovered, pause and agree on the least disruptive correction. For casual play, consistency and a shared understanding matter more than reconstructing many turns.
Frequently asked questions
May players lobby for submitted cards?
Only if the group agrees, and no one should reveal which card is theirs.
What is the best way to teach Apples to Apples?
Explain the objective, demonstrate one normal turn, and let everyone try a no-pressure practice turn before scoring.
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