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Taboo
Editions ATLAS · 1989
4–1020 min12+ yrs1.2/5 complexity6.3 BGG#2.470 BGG28,5 KParty
⚡ short answer
How do you play Taboo?
The main objective of Taboo is for one player, the clue-giver, to get their teammates to correctly guess a secret word displayed on a card. The challenge lies in the strict rule that the clue-giver cannot use any of the five 'taboo' words listed on the card, nor any part of those words, or any sound-alike words. The opposing team's job is to monitor the clue-giver and squeak if any taboo words are used, penalizing the clue-giving team.
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the rules in 60 seconds▶ auto · 1/6
🧩
01
Setup
Players divide into at least two teams, with at least two players per team, and prepare the cards, timer, and squeaker.
The rules, step by step
Setup
To set up Taboo, players first divide into at least two teams, with a minimum of two players per team. The deck of cards, which features a secret word and five taboo words on each side, is placed within reach. The one-minute sand timer and the squeaker (or buzzer in older versions) are also placed on the playing surface. The game also includes a special die that introduces new twists to gameplay, which should be kept nearby.
Objective
The main objective of Taboo is for one player, the clue-giver, to get their teammates to correctly guess a secret word displayed on a card. The challenge lies in the strict rule that the clue-giver cannot use any of the five 'taboo' words listed on the card, nor any part of those words, or any sound-alike words. The opposing team's job is to monitor the clue-giver and squeak if any taboo words are used, penalizing the clue-giving team.
On your turn
During a team's turn, one player becomes the clue-giver. They draw a card and, once the one-minute timer is flipped, they begin giving clues to their teammates to guess the secret word at the top of the card. The clue-giver must avoid using the five taboo words listed below the secret word. If a taboo word is used, the opposing team squeaks, and the card is discarded, resulting in a penalty. The clue-giver continues drawing cards and giving clues until the timer runs out.
Scoring
Teams earn points for each word correctly guessed by their teammates. If the clue-giver uses a taboo word, the opposing team squeaks, and the card is discarded, resulting in a penalty point for the clue-giving team. The special die can introduce variations to scoring, such as double points for certain rounds or an 'all-play' round where the first team to guess correctly gets the point. Points are typically tracked on a score pad or board.
Game end
The game concludes when a team reaches a predetermined score, or when all the cards in the deck have been played through. Once the game ends, the points are tallied, and the team with the highest total score is declared the winner. The game is designed for continuous play, so teams can decide to play multiple rounds or until a certain number of points is achieved.
Tips
The new version of Taboo introduces several twists to enhance gameplay. Each card now has 10 words across four different colors, allowing for more variety and replayability. Players can choose to play with specific colors or mix them up. The inclusion of a die adds dynamic elements to each round: rolling the die might result in classic Taboo play, a 'one guesser' round where only one teammate can guess, a 'double time' round with two minutes on the timer, a 'statue' round where the clue-giver cannot move, or an 'all-play' round where both teams can guess simultaneously. Adapting to these twists and strategically choosing which words to focus on can significantly improve a team's performance.
🔬 game anatomy
Complexity1.2 / 5
BGG rating6.3 / 10
Vibe
Party
Language dependence
Unplayable in another language
Play time
20 min
Players
4–10
Recommended age
12+ yrs
BGG rank
#2.470
✨ from Trișache · verified
Frequently asked questions
Q1What is the goal of the game?
The main objective of Taboo is for one player, the clue-giver, to get their teammates to correctly guess a secret word displayed on a card. The challenge lies in the strict rule that the clue-giver cannot use any of the five 'taboo' words listed on the card, nor any part of those words, or any sound-alike words. The opposing team's job is to monitor the clue-giver and squeak if any taboo words are used, penalizing the clue-giving team.
Q2How do you set up the game?
To set up Taboo, players first divide into at least two teams, with a minimum of two players per team. The deck of cards, which features a secret word and five taboo words on each side, is placed within reach. The one-minute sand timer and the squeaker (or buzzer in older versions) are also placed on the playing surface. The game also includes a special die that introduces new twists to gameplay, which should be kept nearby.
Q3How does a turn work?
During a team's turn, one player becomes the clue-giver. They draw a card and, once the one-minute timer is flipped, they begin giving clues to their teammates to guess the secret word at the top of the card. The clue-giver must avoid using the five taboo words listed below the secret word. If a taboo word is used, the opposing team squeaks, and the card is discarded, resulting in a penalty. The clue-giver continues drawing cards and giving clues until the timer runs out.
Q4How is scoring calculated?
Teams earn points for each word correctly guessed by their teammates. If the clue-giver uses a taboo word, the opposing team squeaks, and the card is discarded, resulting in a penalty point for the clue-giving team. The special die can introduce variations to scoring, such as double points for certain rounds or an 'all-play' round where the first team to guess correctly gets the point. Points are typically tracked on a score pad or board.
Q5When and how does the game end?
The game concludes when a team reaches a predetermined score, or when all the cards in the deck have been played through. Once the game ends, the points are tallied, and the team with the highest total score is declared the winner. The game is designed for continuous play, so teams can decide to play multiple rounds or until a certain number of points is achieved.
Q6What tips are there for beginners?
The new version of Taboo introduces several twists to enhance gameplay. Each card now has 10 words across four different colors, allowing for more variety and replayability. Players can choose to play with specific colors or mix them up. The inclusion of a die adds dynamic elements to each round: rolling the die might result in classic Taboo play, a 'one guesser' round where only one teammate can guess, a 'double time' round with two minutes on the timer, a 'statue' round where the clue-giver cannot move, or an 'all-play' round where both teams can guess simultaneously. Adapting to these twists and strategically choosing which words to focus on can significantly improve a team's performance.
Q7How much does Taboo cost?
No store is currently tracking Taboo. Check the Prices tab — you can set a price alert to be notified when it appears.
Q8Where can I buy Taboo cheapest?
Check the Prices tab — howtoplay.ro aggregates offers from 7+ Romanian board-game stores and tracks price history.
Q9How do you play Taboo?
Taboo is a party game game, for 4–10 players, taking ~20 minutes, featuring communication limits. Check the Rules tab for setup, gameplay, and scoring, or ask Trișache anything about Taboo — our AI assistant built by howtoplay.ro and trained specifically on board game rulebooks.
Q10How many players does Taboo support?
Taboo is played by 4–10 players.
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Regatul JocurilorROeasybox
Taboo (2016 Editia in limba romana)
free over RON 149
○ out of stock
RON 174
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