How To Play: Faces

I once lost a game of Faces so badly, I started questioning if my friends were psychic… or just really good at picking noses (literally, that’s a card). If you’re tired of getting stumped by your buddy’s weird facial picks, this guide’s for you. Below you’ll find an outline of the game rules and, more importantly, the best strategies for winning the game and not embarrassing yourself at game night!

Overview

What’s in the box

• 162 Face Cards
• 48 Description Cards
• 1 Score Pad
• 6 Voting Dials
• 6 Reference Cards
• 1 Rulebook

How To Play Faces: Rules Summary

Setup

1. First, hand out answer paddles to each player. They’re not just for show!

2. Next, shuffle all the face cards and place them in a neat stack in the middle. Resist the urge to peek at the funny faces.

3. After that, shuffle the prompt cards and set them close by. You’ll need these to get the party started.

4. Finally, pick someone to be the first Judge. Rock-paper-scissors is quick—but thumb wrestling is way more dramatic.

Gameplay

1. The Judge draws a prompt card and reads it out loud. Try not to laugh until you finish reading.

2. Next, deal out the required number of face cards face up. (Usually, 6 per round.)

3. Then, everyone (except the Judge!) secretly picks which face they think best fits the prompt by picking the matching answer paddle.

4. Afterwards, players reveal their choices at the same time. You might be shocked at what your friends think is a ‘serious’ face.

5. The Judge gives a point to anyone who picked the same face as they would have. If multiple people matched, all get a point. Yes, sometimes everyone gets it wrong. It happens.

6. Finally, rotate the Judge role clockwise. Nobody gets stuck judging all night—unless they’re a control freak.

Winning

1. Keep playing rounds until somebody collects the target number of points. This is usually 7, but you can change it if you want a longer or shorter game.

2. The first person to hit the target score claims victory and earns bragging rights for having the best mind-reading (or face-matching) skills!

Special Rules & Conditions

1. If there’s a tie for the most points at the victory mark, the tied players do a quick face-off. The next prompt decides the winner. Sudden death—except nobody dies (hopefully).

2. If a prompt doesn’t fit any faces at all, discard it and draw a new one. Trust me, some prompts are just weird.

So that’s how to play Faces! Remember, it’s all about reading your friends and having a good laugh. Now go and show off those face-matching powers!

Best Faces Strategies

Master the Art of Choosing the Right Faces

Scout the Table

First, I always size up my friends. Are they the type to spot a trickster face or do they trust a goofy grin? Knowing your crew helps a lot.

Match the Clue

Next, I try to pick faces that just scream the clue. If the word is ‘suspicious’, I avoid the smiling grandma. Here’s how I choose:

1. Pick a face that fits the clue, but not too perfectly.
2. Throw in a wild card face to mess with minds.
3. Keep an eye out for faces your friends often pick or avoid.

Mix Up Your Choices

When playing Faces, I never stick to the same style. Switching it up keeps everyone second-guessing you, and that’s half the fun.

Mastering Mind Reading in Faces: Outsmart Your Friends!

Watch Their Faces Like a Hawk

Every player has a tell. First, pay attention when clues are read. Some folks smirk, others glare. Spot the reaction, and you’re halfway there.

1. Notice eye rolls or giggles.
2. Catch hesitations before they pick.
3. Remember who always overacts—sometimes that’s a trick!

Listen to How They Talk

Some players talk too much when they’re bluffing. Others stay quiet. Use their chatter (or lack of it) as your cheat sheet. Next round, they will wish they shut up!

1. Track those who protest too much.
2. Check if someone always redirects blame.

Create Friend Profiles

Lastly, make a mental note of each friend’s play style in Faces. Every game, add a little to your profile. Soon, you’ll predict their moves better than their moms can.

1. Keep tabs on risk-takers.
2. Flag the one who copies others.

Mastering the Art of the Reveal in Faces

Wait for the Right Moment

1. Never be the first to show your card. Instead, watch your friends squirm. Someone always cracks.

Watch for Hesitation

1. When someone hesitates, pounce! Reveal your face right after, so they can’t regroup.

Distract with Banter

1. Talk about anything but the game. When laughs peak, switch gears and reveal. No one ever expects a mid-joke move.

How To Play faces Like a Pro

1. While everyone argues, glance at the faces left in play. Then, time your move for when others seem distracted.

Ready to Put on Your Best Face?

Well, there you have it—my top secrets to crushing Faces and never being trusted at a game night ever again. With these tricks up your sleeve, you’ll guess faces like Sherlock with a hangover. Remember, it’s all about mixing charm, a little sneakiness, and reading your friends like the last page of a mystery novel. But most of all, enjoy the chaos that erupts when Aunt Linda insists that the face with the wild mustache is clearly ‘most likely to run a secret cat circus.’

Try the strategies, tweak them, and most importantly, have fun. Because if you’re not laughing until your cheeks hurt, you’re not playing Faces right! And if anyone asks how to play Faces like a champ? Well, now you know what to tell them—just don’t let them see your poker face.

Want to know what we think of Faces? Read our detailed review of Faces here