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How to Play a Pictionary Game Online and Offline

The rules of pictionary and how to play online

​​A Pictionary game is a recognizable classic that is known all around the world. Everyone can enjoy this fun and exciting game, as long as you have enough players to play it! We recommend 4 to 16 players, divided into 2 groups. When playing the game, each player has to take a turn to draw words or phrases that are randomly given to them. Then, the team will try to interpret what it is with the help of a sketcher, whose purpose is to sketch clues as fast as possible. The team with the most points will be the winner. Below are the guidelines for playing Pictionary like a pro, whether you play online or offline.

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What are the requirements for playing Pictionary?

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The objective of the game is simple: be the first team to reach the final sketch square on board. The team guessing the latter first wins. Here are the different types of cards that you can pull during a game:

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    • 120 Adult Cards

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    • 80 Junior Cards

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    • 4 Category Cards

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And also, you will need a few more accessories to play Pictionary:

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    • Card Boxes

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    • Pencils

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    • Drawing Pad

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    • Game Board

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    • Die

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    • Moves

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    • Timer

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There are also different categories with various difficulties divided into 5 colors:

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    • Blue: Person, animal, place

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    • Yellow: Object (Touchable things)

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    • Orange: Actions words

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    • Green: Relative harder words

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    • Red: Random words

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To set the game quickly, have the card boxes, the timer, and the board ready. Additionally, we strongly suggest getting a dry-erase board and a dry-erase marker.

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How to play Pictionary?

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Below are 8 easy steps to play a Pictionary game with your friends and family:

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    2. Divide the players into at least two teams. However, with fewer teams with more members, the game tends to be more fun.

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    1. Each team will be given a pencil, a colored mover, and a category card.

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    1. Each team will choose one player who is going to draw (the sketcher). This player will be assigned to draw the first word.

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    1. To start the game, each team will roll the dice to decide which team will go first. The team that gets the higher score will open the game.

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    1. The person drawing the card will draw a card of the same color as the colored square his or her team is currently on. After which, he/she will have to sketch the words within five minutes.

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    1. The sketcher has a 1-minute limit before starting the drawing, and from there, the members will have to guess the words as fast as possible.

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    1. If his/her team answers the words correctly, they can continue rolling the dice and can advance to the corresponding square.

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    1. The team will keep playing until the teammates cannot get the correct answer in time. Then the opposite team will get a chance to play the game, and start drawing and guessing.

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    1. Which team gets to the final square first is the winner.

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Things You Should and Should not do when playing the Game

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It is undeniable, a victory always makes your team feel good. When it comes to playing games, many players will try to cheat their way to victory. As for Pictionary, you should keep in mind that only drawing and sketching are allowed. You should not make any gestures, or sounds while playing the game. Below are things you are allowed and not allowed to do when playing this game:

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Things that are allowed to do:

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    • Break the words down into syllables.

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    • Give clues by drawing rhyming words like drawing a “dock” for “doc.”

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Things that are prohibited:

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  • Using dashes to hint at the number of letters on the word.
  • Write down numbers and letters.
  • Using sign language or gestures.
  • Speaking to your teammates.

How to play Pictionary Online or Offline?

There might be a time when you want to play this game, but you are not with your friends nor your family. However, with the current technology, it is more than possible to play this game with them remotely. You can use a video conference platform like zoom, which has a whiteboard sharing feature that is perfect for playing Pictionary.

To use it, each player needs to download and install the Zoom app. Then, set a common schedule for playing with your friends. You can host the meeting and set the specific meeting ID, so others can join the video call. Next, the player who is chosen to draw the words has to share the screen by clicking the whiteboard option and click share. Thereafter, take turns to draw the words. You can appoint someone to be a timekeeper and lead in promoting the players who are drawing next. You can also use a Pictionary word generator. With one click, you can get a word and start to draw quickly. The following are the most recommended Pictionary word generators:

  • RandomWordGenerator.com
  • TheGameGal.com
  • WordGenerator.net

Conclusion

Although it is possible to play the game both online and offline, we cannot deny that nothing beats the classic board game. It gives you the excitement and thrill of drawing your way to the finish line. There are many online websites where you can buy a Pictionary board game. It’s a good investment to have fun with your friends and family!