Blank Slate is the perfect quick party game for family and friends, and it’s not hard to play at all.
It’s amazing how such a simple set of gameplay rules results in hours of entertainment and memories.
If you lost your instruction booklet or need some clarification, this guide to Blank Slate Rules is for you!
Table of Contents
Things You’ll Need To Play Blank Slate
First and foremost, you’ll need the Blank Slate Board Game.
Get this quick and easy party game for hours of fun!
Learn and play the game within minutes.
Fun for the whole family!
Contained in this box are the following items:
- 250 cue cards
- 500 Questions (1 on each side of each card)
- 8 dry-erase markers with an eraser on the cap
- 8 blank slate whiteboards
- 1 scoreboard
- 1 box for keeping cue cards in
How To Win Blank Slate: Objective
The first player to reach 25 points wins the game!
If there is a tie, another round should be played. The first player of those two to score (or scores the most) wins the game.
Points are scored by matching the missing words with other players.
- If no words are matched, you earn zero (0) points.
- If only one person is matched (2 players match), each earns 3 points.
- If more than one person is matched, each earns 1 point.
How To Play Blank Slate
Hand out the blank slate whiteboards and dry-erase markers.
Get out the scoreboard and elect one player to keep track of the scores.
Shuffle the cue cards and place them in the card box.
Figure out who is going to start as a selector.
This person draws one card from the front of the box and reads the clue. Then, they place the card on the table where everyone can see it.
Each player writes down an answer to complete the phrase where the blank goes. They don’t show the answers at this point.
Once all answers are written down, players show their words (usually one at a time, starting with the player left of the selector).
Once everyone has shown their words, points are added to the scoreboard.
- 0 points for no matches.
- 3 points for exactly one match.
- 1 pint for more than one match.
Note: See the scoring examples in the next section if you need clarification.
Put the cue card in the back of the box (or keep it somewhere separate to avoid shuffling it into later gameplay sessions).
The player to the selector’s left becomes the new selector. The gameplay continues until someone reaches 25 points.
Blank Slate Scoring Examples
The only part that may trip you up in this game is keeping score. I’ve seen a few people get into minor arguments over this.
But once you see a few examples, it all makes sense.
Example 1
5 people are playing. The cue is: “Home ________.”
After writing down their answers, we see the following answers:
- Bob = Homegrown
- Sue = Home improvement
- Jacinta = Home sweet home
- Toni = Home improvement
- Zeke = Homegrown
Jacinta gets zero points for making no matches. Sue and Toni get 3 points each for matching each other. Zeke and Bob get 3 points each for matching each other.
Example 2
5 people are playing. The cue is “______ Town.”
After writing down their answers, we see the following answers:
- Bob = Funky Town
- Sue = Funky Town
- Jacinta = Small Town
- Toni = Funky Town
- Zeke = Funky Town
Bob, Sue, Toni, and Zeke all get 1 point for matching more than one person. Jacinta gets zero points for zero matches.
Example 3
8 people are playing. The cue is “________ House.”
After writing down their answers, we see the following answers:
- Bob = Dog House
- Sue = Small House
- Jacinta = Full House
- Toni = Small House
- Zeke = Full House
- Migale = Dog House
- Carl = Dog House
- Sally = Haunted House
Sally gets zero points for matching no one. Jacinta and Zeke get 3 points for matching each other.
Sue and Toni get 3 points for matching each other. Bob, Migale, and Carl get 1 point for matching more than one person.
Blank Slate Rules And Guidelines For Continuing Fun
Ultimately, it’s up to you and your friends to decide if an addition is allowed. Here are some of the games suggested rule clarifications:
- Additions must be more than one letter (If the clue is “house ____,” you can’t put “Houses”).
- Adding a syllable is OK if the original clue is still audible (If the clue is “Day ___,” “daylight” is just fine).
- Proper nouns or names are acceptable (If the clue is “___ Dog,” then “Snoop Dog” is OK).
- Only add one word to the clue to make it work*.
*My family doesn’t worry about this one-word rule as much. If something has a clear phrase, then it’s fine.
But it’s in everyone’s best interest to stick with adding one word, as it’ll make the game go faster and increase your chances of winning.
For example, we’re fine with the answer “Home Sweet Home” if the clue is “Home ____.”
Other Tips For Keeping Your Game Fun
- Put the caps back on the markers firmly. They will dry out. Replacement markers can be bought anywhere for pretty cheap too.
- Decide in your group ahead of time what’s appropriate and inappropriate. When playing with all adult friends, maybe anything can go. But if your kids are near or playing too, set the restrictions first to avoid problems.
- Let the selector pick either the front or back side to offer some more strategy on their part.
- Keep discarded cards separate from the others during a lot of play (called marathon play) to avoid repeats.
- If someone or some people are taking too long to write a word, consider using a timer.
Quick Tips To Help You Win Blank Slate
There isn’t much to increase your odds of winning this game. And to be honest, this game is all about the experience of picking words with your friends and family.
If you do want to win, here are the two hints I have to offer:
- Pick words that make good sense with the clue.
- Pick words someone at your table is more likely to pick.
Let’s look at this in action.
If the clue is “_____ House.”
First, brainstorm options:
- Small house
- Haunted house
- Brick house
- Full House
Now, think about the people at your table. If I’m playing with my sister, I know she’s a huge 90s sitcom fan.
She’s more likely to pick “Full House,” so that’s what I’ll go with.
It doesn’t work every time, but it’s better than you’d think.
Get Those Words Brewing!
For hours and quick fun with family and friends, Blank Slate is a must.
It’s not hard to play at all and takes only minutes to explain.
If you’d like to read our detailed Blank Slate review, head on over to the link.
