How to Play Cards Against Humanity: A Hilariously Inappropriate Guide

Cards Against Humanity (CAH) is a party game for horrible people. It’s designed to be offensive, shocking, and laugh-out-loud funny, all at the same time. If you’re easily offended, this game isn’t for you. But if you enjoy dark humor and witty wordplay, then get ready for some outrageous fun. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to play Cards Against Humanity, from the basic rules to tips and strategies for winning (or at least being the most amusing player). Prepare for awkward silences, uncontrollable laughter, and potentially ruined friendships – all in the name of good fun!

## What You’ll Need

* **The Cards Against Humanity Base Set:** This is the core of the game and includes both white answer cards and black question/fill-in-the-blank cards. You can purchase it online or at many game stores.
* **3+ Players:** The game is more fun with more people, but it works with as few as three players. Aim for 4-8 players for the best experience.
* **A Table or Playing Surface:** Somewhere to spread out the cards.
* **A Sense of Humor (preferably a dark one):** This is non-negotiable. If you can’t laugh at the absurd, you’re going to have a bad time.
* **Optional: Expansion Packs:** These add more cards and keep the game fresh. There are tons of themed expansions available, from science to pop culture to holiday-specific packs.

## Setting Up the Game

1. **Shuffle the Decks:** Separate the white answer cards from the black question/fill-in-the-blank cards. Shuffle each deck thoroughly.
2. **Deal the White Cards:** Each player receives ten white answer cards. These are your hand for the round.
3. **Choose a Card Czar:** The Card Czar is the player who reads the black question card and judges the answer cards. A common way to choose the first Card Czar is the person who most recently pooped. After each round, the role of Card Czar rotates to the next player in a clockwise direction.
4. **Place the Decks:** Put the black question card deck and the pile for discarded white cards (the “discard pile”) in the center of the playing area.

## How to Play Cards Against Humanity: Step-by-Step

Now for the fun part! Here’s how a round of Cards Against Humanity unfolds:

1. **The Card Czar Draws a Black Card:** The Card Czar for the round draws a black question/fill-in-the-blank card from the top of the deck and reads it aloud to the group.

* **Example Black Card:** “What’s a girl’s best friend?”

* **Example Black Card:** “Before I run for president, I must reconcile my differences with ______________.”

* **Important Note:** Some black cards have multiple blanks, indicated by underscores. You’ll need to play multiple white cards to fill in all the blanks. When the black card has more than one blank, the answers will need to be placed in the order they are read on the black card.
2. **Everyone Else Plays a White Card (or Cards):** All players *except* the Card Czar choose a white answer card (or cards, if the black card requires it) from their hand that they think is the funniest or most appropriate response to the black card. Players submit their card(s) face down to the Card Czar. Players must only submit the amount of cards required on the black card.

* **Strategic Card Selection:** This is where the strategy comes in! Consider the Card Czar’s personality and sense of humor. What will they find funny? What will shock them? What will they appreciate?
* **Dealing with Multiple Blanks:** If the black card has multiple blanks, players need to submit the appropriate number of white cards, typically in the order they want the Card Czar to read them. Make sure to keep your answer cards in order.
3. **The Card Czar Reads the Answers:** The Card Czar shuffles the submitted white cards to randomize them (especially important if multiple blanks are involved, to avoid revealing which player submitted which combination). Then, the Card Czar reads each answer aloud, substituting it into the blank(s) on the black card.

* **Embrace the Absurdity:** The Card Czar should read the answers with enthusiasm and a straight face, even if they’re completely ridiculous. The delivery can make all the difference!
* **Don’t Reveal the Players:** The Card Czar should not reveal which player submitted which answer card until after a winner has been chosen.
4. **The Card Czar Chooses a Winner:** The Card Czar decides which answer is the funniest, most offensive, most creative, or simply the one they like best. There are no objective criteria here; it’s entirely up to the Card Czar’s subjective judgment.

* **Justification (Optional):** The Card Czar can explain why they chose a particular answer, but it’s not required. Sometimes, the humor speaks for itself.
5. **The Winner Receives the Black Card:** The player who submitted the winning white card receives the black card as a point. You can keep track of points to determine an overall winner, or just play for the fun of it.
6. **Discard the Used Cards:** All the white cards that were played in the round, along with the black card, are discarded into the discard pile.
7. **Everyone Draws Back Up to Ten White Cards:** Each player (except the Card Czar, who will be the Card Czar again next round) draws new white cards from the white card deck until they have ten cards in their hand.
8. **Rotate the Card Czar:** The role of Card Czar passes to the next player in a clockwise direction.
9. **Repeat:** Continue playing rounds until you run out of cards, get bored, or someone gets too offended (hopefully the first two happen first!).

## Strategies for Winning (or at Least Being Hilarious)

While Cards Against Humanity is mostly a game of chance and dark humor, there are some strategies you can employ to increase your chances of winning (or at least making everyone laugh):

* **Know Your Audience (the Card Czar):** Pay attention to the Card Czar’s personality and sense of humor. What kinds of jokes do they laugh at? What are their pet peeves? Tailor your answers to their specific tastes. If you’re playing with someone who’s easily shocked, you might want to avoid the most offensive cards in your hand. If the Card Czar is known for their love of puns, try to find a punny answer.
* **Consider the Context:** Think about the black card and the potential interpretations of the question or fill-in-the-blank. Sometimes the most obvious answer isn’t the funniest. Try to come up with something unexpected or absurd that still makes sense in the context of the black card.
* **Master the Art of the Misdirect:** Sometimes, the funniest answer is one that seems completely unrelated to the black card at first glance. A well-timed non sequitur can be incredibly effective.
* **Embrace the Offensive (But Know Your Limits):** Cards Against Humanity is designed to be offensive, but it’s important to be mindful of your audience and avoid crossing the line into truly hurtful or discriminatory territory. Know your friends and their boundaries.
* **Pay Attention to Card Combinations (Multiple Blanks):** When the black card has multiple blanks, think about how the white cards will work together. Sometimes, the combination of two seemingly innocuous cards can create a hilarious and unexpected result. Consider all the possible combinations of your cards to maximize your chance of winning.
* **Save Your Best Cards:** Don’t blow your best cards on the first few rounds. Save them for black cards that really give you a chance to shine. Cards that seem dull on their own can be a powerful response to specific prompts.
* **Read the Room:** Is the table laughing at dark humor? Are people being put off by the more offensive answers? Gauge the mood and adapt your plays accordingly. You don’t want to be the one ruining the fun for everyone.
* **Don’t Be Afraid to Sacrifice:** Sometimes, the best play isn’t about winning, it’s about making everyone laugh. If you have a card that you know will get a big reaction, even if it’s not the most likely to win, consider playing it anyway. The goal is to have fun, after all.
* **Learn the Metagame:** With experience, you’ll start to recognize patterns in the types of answers that tend to win. You’ll also learn which cards are generally considered to be the strongest or most versatile.
* **Bluff and Double Bluff:** Against experienced players, try some misdirection. Play what seems like a weak card to throw them off your scent, then pounce with something truly wicked when they least expect it.

## House Rules and Variations

Cards Against Humanity is a flexible game, and you can easily adapt the rules to suit your group’s preferences. Here are some popular house rules and variations:

* **God Is Dead (Everyone Chooses):** Instead of a single Card Czar choosing the winner, everyone votes on their favorite answer. This can lead to more democratic (but sometimes less decisive) results.
* **Survival of the Fittest:** After each round, the Card Czar eliminates one of the submitted answers before reading the rest. This adds an extra layer of tension and strategy.
* **Pick 2:** Each player gets to submit two answers for each black card, increasing the chances of finding a truly hilarious combination.
* **Re-Roll:** Players can discard one or more of their white cards and draw new ones, giving them a chance to improve their hand.
* **Happy Ending:** The Card Czar picks their favorite white card, and then all players get one last chance to swap out their white cards to try and win.
* **Never Have I Ever:** The Card Czar reads each of the white cards aloud. If a player has done what the card states, they are eliminated. Last person remaining is the winner.
* **Themed Rounds:** Choose a specific theme (e.g., politics, movies, history) and only use cards that are related to that theme.
* **Card Czar for Life:** One player remains the Card Czar for the entire game. This can be fun if you have a player who really enjoys the role.
* **Custom Cards:** Create your own custom white and black cards to personalize the game and make it even more relevant to your group’s inside jokes and shared experiences.

## Tips for a Great Cards Against Humanity Experience

* **Set the Mood:** Create a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. Dim the lights, put on some music, and serve some snacks and drinks.
* **Be Respectful (Within Reason):** While the game is designed to be offensive, it’s important to be mindful of your audience and avoid crossing the line into truly hurtful or discriminatory territory. Know your friends and their boundaries, and be willing to apologize if you accidentally offend someone.
* **Don’t Take It Too Seriously:** Cards Against Humanity is a game, and the goal is to have fun. Don’t get too competitive or upset if you don’t win. Just laugh and enjoy the absurdity.
* **Shuffle Frequently:** To prevent players from memorizing the order of the cards, shuffle the decks frequently, especially after using the discard pile.
* **Take Breaks:** If you’re playing for a long time, take breaks to stretch your legs, grab a drink, or just clear your head. The humor can get exhausting after a while.
* **Consider the Expansion Packs:** Expansion packs add new cards and keep the game fresh. They’re a great way to add variety and keep the game from getting stale.
* **Play with Different Groups:** Playing with different groups of people can lead to different and unexpected results. You’ll discover new cards and new ways to interpret them.
* **Embrace the Chaos:** Cards Against Humanity is a game of controlled chaos. Embrace the absurdity, the unexpected, and the offensive. That’s where the real fun lies.

## Dealing with Sensitive Topics

Cards Against Humanity often deals with sensitive and potentially offensive topics. It’s important to be aware of this and to be respectful of other players’ feelings. If a card comes up that makes you uncomfortable, you have the right to skip it or ask the Card Czar to choose a different one. It’s also important to be mindful of your own language and behavior. While the game encourages dark humor, it’s important to avoid making personal attacks or perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

* **Establish Boundaries:** Before you start playing, have a conversation about what topics are off-limits. This can help prevent misunderstandings and ensure that everyone feels comfortable.
* **Be Empathetic:** Try to put yourself in other players’ shoes and consider how they might react to certain cards or jokes.
* **Don’t Be Afraid to Speak Up:** If something makes you uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to speak up and say something. It’s better to address the issue directly than to let it fester and ruin the fun for everyone.
* **Remember It’s Just a Game:** At the end of the day, Cards Against Humanity is just a game. It’s not meant to be taken too seriously. If you find yourself getting too upset or offended, it’s okay to take a break or stop playing.

## Alternatives to Cards Against Humanity

If Cards Against Humanity is a bit too edgy for your taste, or if you’re looking for something similar but different, here are some alternatives:

* **Apples to Apples:** A more family-friendly version of Cards Against Humanity, with less offensive and more generally humorous prompts.
* **What Do You Meme?:** A game that combines memes and caption contests. Players submit captions for funny images, and the judge chooses the best one.
* **Codenames:** A word association game where two teams compete to identify their secret agents based on one-word clues.
* **Telestrations:** A combination of Telephone and Pictionary. Players draw and guess each other’s drawings, leading to hilarious misinterpretations.
* **Scattergories:** A word game where players try to come up with words that fit specific categories, starting with a given letter.

## Final Thoughts

Cards Against Humanity is a game that’s not for everyone, but for those who enjoy dark humor and offensive jokes, it can be a hilariously entertaining experience. Just remember to be mindful of your audience, set boundaries, and don’t take it too seriously. With a little bit of preparation and a good sense of humor, you can have a memorable and outrageous night of fun with your friends.

So gather your friends, shuffle the cards, and prepare for some awkward silences, uncontrollable laughter, and potentially ruined friendships. It’s all part of the Cards Against Humanity experience!