How to Play Cards Against Humanity

Setup

Objective

The objective of Cards Against Humanity is to earn the most points by submitting the funniest or most fitting responses to the fill-in-the-blank statements. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Gameplay

To start, each player picks up ten white “answer” cards” to create their hand.

Next, one person is appointed the “Card Czar.” Although the official rules state that the “person that most recently pooped” becomes the “Card Czar,” the group can decide upon other criteria for determining who goes first.

Once determined, the Card Czar begins the first round by turning over the top card on the black “question” card stack, reads the prompt out loud, and leaves it face up for players to see.

All other players analyze the question card’s prompt and the “answer” options in their hand. Each player then chooses an answer by selecting one of their white cards and passing it anonymously face down to the Card Czar.

If the black card says “Pick 2”, each player chooses two white cards from their hand and plays them in the order the Czar should read them.

The Card Czar shuffles all the answers and shares each with the group. For the most significant impact, reading out the question before each answer makes for a funnier, more shocking experience.

The Card Czar then chooses their favorite answer. Whoever played the chosen answer card keeps the black card as an Awesome Point to add to their tally.

While the Czar considers their decision, players can try to influence it through persuasion or bribery.

Once the round has finished and the winning answer has been chosen, discard all the white cards from that round into the discard pile and choose a new Czar by either selecting the player to the previous Czar’s left, the winner of the last game, of the current Czar can choose the determining criteria (e.g., next birthday).

Endgame

There is no pre-determined end to the game. You can play for as long as you want or choose a set number of points for the winner.

Cards Against Humanity Variations and Alternate Rules

• Gambling: You can gamble your Awesome Points to play two cards together. Any player can bet one point after the Czar reads the question card. Doing this allows that player to play two answers into the pile instead of one. The round winner then wins the gambled point and the usual point.
• Discard: The game can be enhanced by allowing players to dump up to ten cards by spending a point or discarding cards when the black haiku card is drawn.
• Increase Points: If you’re playing in a large group of ten or more players, it can be fun to award more points. The Czar could choose their top three answers, awarding 3, 2, and 1 points for the top three answers.

Cards Against Humanity Tips & Strategy

The best way to win at Cards Against Humanity is to understand the other players’ sense of humor, which will likely help you win points. Doing so can be difficult if you don’t know them well, in which case using “shock” tactics can be successful.

FAQs

Where can I buy Cards Against Humanity?

Cards Against Humanity can be purchased directly on their website or from most major retailers in-store and online including Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Barnes & Noble.

Is Cards Against Humanity suitable for kids?

The traditional Cards Against Humanity is tailored to an adult-only audience due to the sensitive nature of some of the cards’ questions and answers. However, Cards Against Humanity created a specific family edition for ages 8+. 

Are there additional Cards Against Humanity sets available?

Yes! You can expand your selection of possible questions and answers with one of the many Cards Against Humanity expansion sets and bundles including the Hot Box, Ultimate Expansion, Everything Box, Absurd Box, and more. For a comprehensive list of bundles and expansion sets, visit their website here.