How to Play the 1000 Blank White Cards Game

If you're in the mood for a card game that's more creative than competitive, play 1000 blank white cards at your next get-together. This is a game that never loses its appeal, because every round is completely unique. Make sure to play with open-minded friends, though, because card-game traditionalists may be caught off-guard by the lack of structure and the chaos that ensues.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Paper or card stock
• Scissors

1. Cut paper or card stock into small cards. While you don't really need 1000 cards to play 1000 blank white cards, the game can move quickly, so make sure that you cut enough for each player to have a big pile.

2. Distribute cards and pens or pencils. There should be plenty of blank white cards to go around, so there's no need to deal them evenly.

3. Set a certain amount of time to create cards; ten minutes is a good figure to start with. Each player should make game cards without talking about what he or she is doing. These cards can say anything you can imagine. Some ideas for cards include giving or taking away points, setting rules for the game, defining how the game will be won, and making players do any imaginable action, from trading cards to composing spontaneous poetry.

4. Begin playing 1000 blank white cards by selecting a player to play one card from his or her hand. Continue taking turns playing cards until game play is changed by the instructions on a card that is played. The game may end in a variety of ways, depending on what cards have been played. For example, a card could say "play for five more minutes, then vote on a winner."

5. Make more cards while playing, if inspiration strikes.

Tips & Warnings

• Save some or all of your cards for future games. If you start out with some finished cards, you can divide them among players and also distribute materials to make more cards as needed.

• This game is very chaotic, although that's usually part of the fun. It's especially badly suited, though, for players who are very competitive. Anyone who is determined to win can do so instantly, by playing a card that says "I win". Most groups figure this out pretty quickly. It's much more fun with a group of players who are interested in having as much fun as possible.