What Is Balderdash?
Balderdash is a game that gives you the chance to prove how smart you are, or how good you are at making your friends think you are smart. In Balderdash players are trying to guess the definition of a word. The words in Balderdash are not your average everyday words; these are unusual words from the English language, making their definitions harder to guess for the players. Balderdash is played until a specific point total is reached, or a player passes the finish line on the game board included with Balderdash.
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History
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According to Boardgamegeek.com, the game of Balderdash is based on a game called The Dictionary Game that was first played in 1971. Mattel published the first official version of Balderdash 13 years later in 1984. Mattel has also published a subsequent version of the game with more cards and categories called Beyond Balderdash.
Goal Of The Gane
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In Balderdash players are trying to prove how much they know about the English language. Players each get an opportunity to write a definition for a world on each round of the game of Balderdash. One of the players will be provided the actual definition and be required to write it down. Each of the other players must make up their own definition.
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Playing The Game
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Players take turns in a clockwise order around the table. On a player's turn he draws a card and rolls a dice, announcing the word on the card matching that number. Each player then writes down a definition of the word, with the player that read the word writing down the correct definition from the back of the card. After each player has had a chance to write down a definition of the word, they hand their definitions to the player whose turn it is. That player must then read all the definitions out loud in any order that she chooses. Each player then votes individually on which definition he thinks is correct.
Scoring In Balderdash
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Balderdash scoring is based on who correctly guesses the definition of the word, and also who can get others to vote for her incorrect definition. One point is awarded for each vote for that player's incorrect definition, and two points are awarded to any player or players guessing the correct definition. If nobody guesses the correct definition, the player that read the card receives three points.
Writing The Correct Definition
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If the correct definition of the word is written by any player other than the player who is reading the definition card, a special scoring rule is used. The player who is reading the definitions out loud immediately tells the player or players who wrote down the correct definition he receives three points. His definition are not read, but instead is put aside. These players do not get to vote for the correct definition during that round. The real definition written by the player with the definition card is still read for play during that round. Because of this rule, the player reading the card and supplying the real definition should always read her definition last.
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