Question 1

How many people can play Battleship?

Accepted Answer

Two.

Question 2

Is Battleship luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

Early shots are luck, but a good search pattern and smart follow-up shots make a big difference.

Question 3

What is the Salvo variation?

Accepted Answer

A variation in which you take several shots in a turn. The name goes back to the game's pencil-and-paper days.

Question 4

How long does a game take?

Accepted Answer

Typically about 15 to 30 minutes.

Question 5

How many people can play Scrabble?

Accepted Answer

Two to four players.

Question 6

Is Scrabble luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

Both. The tiles you draw are luck, but vocabulary and board positioning decide most games.

Question 7

What is a bingo in Scrabble?

Accepted Answer

Using all seven of your tiles in a single turn. It earns a bonus of 50 points.

Question 8

What if we disagree about a word?

Accepted Answer

Players can challenge words, so agree beforehand which dictionary you will use to settle it.

Question 9

How many people can play Connect 4?

Accepted Answer

Two players, one for each colour of disc.

Question 10

Is Connect 4 luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

Skill. There are no dice or cards, so the result depends on how well you plan your moves and block your opponent.

Question 11

Does the first player have an advantage?

Accepted Answer

With perfect play the first player can force a win by starting in the centre column. In ordinary games it is far less certain, so most families take turns going first.

Question 12

What happens if nobody makes four?

Accepted Answer

The game is a draw once every space is filled. You then release the discs and play again.

Question 13

How many people can play cribbage?

Accepted Answer

Usually two, but three- and four-player versions exist.

Question 14

Is cribbage luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

Both. You cannot control the cards you are dealt, but the discards, pegging and counting reward skill.

Question 15

What is the crib?

Accepted Answer

An extra hand made from cards the players discard. It belongs to the dealer and is scored at the end of the hand.

Question 16

What is pegging?

Accepted Answer

The first scoring stage, when players take turns laying down cards and score for combinations such as fifteens and pairs.

Question 17

How many people can play Exploding Kittens?

Accepted Answer

Two to five players.

Question 18

Is Exploding Kittens luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

Mostly luck, with some tactics. How you use action cards and when you defuse can make the difference.

Question 19

What is a Defuse card?

Accepted Answer

A card that lets you survive drawing an Exploding Kitten. You then slip the kitten back into the deck.

Question 20

How long does a game take?

Accepted Answer

Around 15 minutes.

Question 21

How many people can play Jenga?

Accepted Answer

Any small group can play, and you can also practise alone. Because turns are quick, it works well with larger groups.

Question 22

Is Jenga luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

Mostly skill, built on a steady hand and careful block choice, with some luck in how the tower settles.

Question 23

How many blocks are there?

Accepted Answer

A standard Jenga set has 54 wooden blocks.

Question 24

What does the digital die do?

Accepted Answer

It adds variations to normal play. Check the rules in the box to see how each result works.

Question 25

How many people can play KerPlunk?

Accepted Answer

Two to four players.

Question 26

Is KerPlunk luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

A bit of both. Where the marbles sit is luck, but a careful choice of stick and a steady hand help.

Question 27

Who wins in KerPlunk?

Accepted Answer

The player with the fewest marbles in their tray at the end.

Question 28

Can small children play?

Accepted Answer

It contains small marbles, so check the age and safety guidance on the box before giving it to young children.

Question 29

How many people can play Linkee?

Accepted Answer

Two or more. There are separate two-player rules, and larger groups split into teams.

Question 30

Is Linkee luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

Mostly knowledge and lateral thinking, plus a little luck in which cards come up.

Question 31

What happens if we guess the link wrong?

Accepted Answer

Your team is out for the rest of that round, so there is a risk in calling too early.

Question 32

Do I need to be good at trivia?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. You can often spot the link before you have answered every question.

Question 33

How many people can play Midsomer Murders?

Accepted Answer

One to six players, according to retailers.

Question 34

Can I play on my own?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The game is listed for one player, so you can work through a case solo.

Question 35

How many cases are there?

Accepted Answer

The game has 30 case cards, each a different murder.

Question 36

What do I have to name to win?

Accepted Answer

The killer, their motive and the weapon, once you reach Causton CID.

Question 37

How many people can play Pictionary?

Accepted Answer

The box is for two teams. Mattel's rules suggest that larger teams make for a quicker, livelier game.

Question 38

Is Pictionary luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

Mostly teamwork and quick thinking, with a little luck in the words you draw.

Question 39

Can the person drawing talk?

Accepted Answer

No. The Picturist cannot speak or use letters or numbers, so only the sketch can give clues.

Question 40

What happens if the team does not guess in time?

Accepted Answer

The turn passes to the other team.

Question 41

How many people can play dominoes?

Accepted Answer

Two to four players for most basic games.

Question 42

Is dominoes luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

A mixture. The tiles you draw are luck, but counting what has been played and planning your moves brings real skill.

Question 43

What is a double?

Accepted Answer

A tile with the same number on both ends. In many versions it is laid crosswise.

Question 44

Which dominoes game should I start with?

Accepted Answer

Try the block game or the draw game. Both use the same matching rule, so you can switch between them once you are comfortable.

Question 45

How many people can play chess?

Accepted Answer

Two. You can also practise alone by working through chess puzzles.

Question 46

Is chess luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

Pure skill. There are no dice or hidden cards, so the better planner usually wins.

Question 47

What is checkmate?

Accepted Answer

Checkmate is when a king is under attack and has no way to escape. It ends the game immediately.

Question 48

How long does a game take?

Accepted Answer

Beginners' games can be quick, often under half an hour, but they can run longer as players improve.

Question 49

How many people can play RISK?

Accepted Answer

Two to six players. Hasbro's rules also cover a two-player variation.

Question 50

Is RISK luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

Both. Dice decide each fight, but planning, timing and diplomacy decide who wins over a whole game.

Question 51

How long does a game of RISK take?

Accepted Answer

Full games can run for hours. Hasbro's rules also include a shorter variation if you are short of time.

Question 52

What are RISK cards for?

Accepted Answer

Collecting sets of cards lets you trade them in for extra armies on your turn.

Question 53

How many people can play Sequence?

Accepted Answer

Two to twelve people when played in teams. With teams, the players must divide evenly into two or three teams.

Question 54

Is Sequence luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

Both. The cards you draw are luck, but choosing where to play, when to block and when to use a Jack is skill.

Question 55

What does a one-eyed Jack do?

Accepted Answer

It lets you remove one of an opponent's chips from the board, unless that chip is already part of a completed Sequence.

Question 56

Can I use the corners?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The four corners are free spaces that count for everyone, so you only need four of your own chips to complete a Sequence using a corner.

Question 57

How many people can play Snakes and Ladders?

Accepted Answer

Two to four players.

Question 58

Is Snakes and Ladders luck or skill?

Accepted Answer

Pure luck. Your choices never change the outcome, which is why everyone has an equal chance.

Question 59

Where does Snakes and Ladders come from?

Accepted Answer

It comes from an ancient Indian game called Moksha Patam, in which ladders stand for good deeds and snakes for bad ones.

Question 60

Do you need an exact roll to win?

Accepted Answer

In the standard version you must roll the exact number to land on 100, but agree on the rule before you start.

Question 61

How many people can play Duel for Middle-earth?

Accepted Answer

Exactly two. One plays the Fellowship and the other plays Sauron.

Question 62

How long does a game take?

Accepted Answer

Around 30 to 45 minutes, according to Punchboard's review.

Question 63

Is it like 7 Wonders Duel?

Accepted Answer

Yes. It is a Tolkien re-theme of that game with additions such as a map of Middle-earth and fortresses.

Question 64

How can I win?

Accepted Answer

By winning the Quest of the Ring, holding every region of the map, or rallying six different races.

Couples

Find a game

Players

Play time

Age range

Game type

Best for

Battleship Classic Board Game

Classic Scrabble Board Game (2 Games in 1)

Connect 4 Grid Game

Cribbage Board Set with Playing Cards

Exploding Kittens Original Edition

Jenga Game with Digital Die

KerPlunk

Linkee trivia game

Midsomer Murders – The Board Game

Pictionary Board Game

Premium Dominoes Set with 4 Racks

Quality Wooden Chess Set for Kids

RISK Strategy Board Game

Sequence Classic Board Game

Snakes and Ladders Wooden Board Game

The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earth