3 of a Kind
3 of a Kind Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Components
- 110 Adjective cards
- 110 Category cards
- 8 Answer cards
- 8 Dry-erase markers
- 1 Rulebook
Game Overview
3 of a Kind is a game of thinking alike in which players try to write matching answers. Each round, the players select 1 Category card and 3 Adjective cards. Each player writes an answer from the Category to match each Adjective.
For example, if the Category is Zoo Animals and the Adjectives are Heaviest, Tallest, and Quickest, you might write Elephant, Giraffe, and Cheetah.
The goal is to write the same answer for each Adjective as other players. The more players you match with, the more points you score. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins!
Setup
- Give each player an Answer card and a dry-erase marker.
- Shuffle the Adjective and Category decks. Place them facedown in the center of the play area.
- The oldest player is the first dealer.
Gameplay
Choosing Cards
- The dealer draws 2 Category cards and chooses 1. They read it aloud, and place it faceup in the center of the play area.
- The dealer deals 2 Adjective cards to each of the 3 players to their left.
- In order, each of those players chooses one of their cards, reads it aloud, and places it faceup below the Category card. In a 2-3 player game, the dealer also chooses an Adjective card.
- Discard all unchosen cards facedown into separate discard piles for Adjective and Category cards.
Category Card Selection example: Sam is the dealer. They draw 2 Category cards and choose one: "Modes of Transportation". They place it faceup into the play area. Next, they deal 2 Adjective cards to the 3 players to their left, who each choose 1 and place it faceup below the Category.
Writing Answers
Each player writes one answer on their answer card for each Adjective in the space matching the Adjective card's position. The answer can be anything that the player thinks fits the Adjective and Category.
- You may not write the same answer in multiple spaces.
- You may write multiple words to describe something.
- You may use words contained in the Adjective or Category.
- The answers are not required to be factual.
- Example: If the Adjective Category is Hairiest Dinosaur, and two players write Sabretooth Tiger, they will still score points.
Turn Example
The Category is Modes of Transportation. The Adjectives are Quietest, Funniest, and Most Magical. Molly writes her answers on her answer card in the same vertical order that the Adjectives appear.
- Bicycle
- Pogo stick
- Unicorn
Comparing Answers
Once all players have written 3 answers, it is time to compare! Follow these steps for each Adjective.
- Starting with the player who chose the Adjective, players share their answers one at a time in clockwise order, and check for matches.
- If any other players wrote the same answer, it is a match! They reveal their answer and gain points equal to the number of players who wrote that answer. Cheer and high five!
- Unmatched players keep sharing answers in clockwise order and if they match with anyone, they score in the same way.
Example: If 3 players all wrote "taco" for Tastiest Food, they would each gain 3 points. If 2 other players wrote "yams" they would each score 2 points.
Style Points
After all answers have been shared for an Adjective, if there are no matches, the player who chose that Adjective card awards 1 point for style. They choose one other player whose answer they think is the best, and that player gains 1 point (they cannot choose themself).
Tracking Points
For each point you score, check off 1 box on your Answer card. If you fill all the boxes, erase them, write +40 on your card, and continue filling out boxes from the top.
End of the Round
Once all answers have been shared, erase the answers you wrote and discard all the cards used to their respective discard piles. Mark off one round on your answer card. You're ready for the next round!
The player to the left of the dealer is the new dealer. Continue play until the end of Round 6. The player with the most points wins!
Gameplay Variants
- Stylish: The Adjective-chooser awards a style point any time at least 2 other players have unmatched answers (instead of only when all players are unmatched).
- Choosy: Each player chooses from 3 cards instead of 2 for each choice. We recommend this in 2-4 player games for more matching!
The 2-Player Challenge
The 2-player game has the same basic structure with these changes:
- Play cooperatively, trying to get as many matches as possible.
- The dealer chooses the Category and their partner chooses 1 Adjective. Then the dealer chooses 1 Adjective, and then the partner chooses 1 final Adjective.
- As a team, you gain 3 points for each match.
- No style points are awarded if your answers do not match.
At the end of 6 Rounds, add up your points and see how well you did:
- 0-6: Brains Not Linking Up Yet
- 7-12: Picking Up Speed
- 13-17: Excellent Connections
- 18-30: Amazing Teamwork
- 31-42: Incredible Mind Meld
- 43-53: Superstar Brain Bond
- 54: Perfect Game!!!
Notes on Matching
- Spelling is not important as long as it is clear what the intended answer is.
- Singular and plural answers match (Clown and Clowns).
- If players write answers that refer to the same thing, they count as a match. For example, Fridge and Refrigerator or Plane and Airplane or Shakespeare and That Person Who Wrote Macbeth*.
- Answers with different levels of specificity do not match. (Ice Cream does not match Vanilla).
*Descriptive answers like this one ensure that players won't be penalized for not recalling specific names. The description should point at a very specific thing (e.g. That Old Timey Writer would not be a match with Shakespeare).
Matching Example (Modes of Transportation)
| On Foot | Walking | Bicycle |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo 11 | Buzz Aldrin's rocket | Spaceship |
| Snowboard | Skateboard | Skates |
On Foot and Walking refer to the same thing, so they count as a match. Apollo 11 and Buzz Aldrin's rocket are a match, but Spaceship is not. Skateboard, Snowboard, and Skates are distinct so they do not count as a match. If it is unclear if two answers match, the group must decide.