How To Play: Stories!

Overview

I’ve played Stories! so much, I feel like my brain now sorts real life by plot twists. If you want to actually win instead of just making bad dad jokes, you’re in the right spot. This guide breaks down the rules (yes, even that one everyone always forgets!) and gives you my top strategies, all tested on my group—who now refuse to play with me. Welcome to How To Play stories!

What’s in the box

• 120 Story Cards
• 6 Player Boards
• 36 Voting Tokens
• 1 Sand Timer
• 1 Rulebook
• 6 Dry-Erase Markers
• 1 Score Pad

How To Play Stories!: Rules Summary

Setup

1. Shuffle the story cards and deal five to each player.
2. Place the rest of the deck in the center. That’s your draw pile.
3. Give each player a vote token and a pencil.
4. Pick a player to be the first storyteller. Usually goes to the one who last lied about their weekend plans.

Gameplay

1. The storyteller draws a prompt card, reads it aloud, and uses a story card from their hand to start a tale.
2. Next, going clockwise, other players add to the story using one of their own story cards. This is how the chaos begins.
3. Players try to make their additions fit, or at least make everyone laugh. Wild cards can go anywhere and bring extra fun.
4. After each round, everyone votes on the best twist or funniest part using their vote token.
5. Players draw back up to five cards at the end of their turn.

Winning

1. Players earn points each time they win a vote.
2. Keep playing rounds until someone reaches five points, or until the deck runs out—whichever comes first.
3. If there’s a tie, everyone tells a last dramatic sentence and the group chooses the overall winner.

Special Rules & Conditions

1. If you can’t play a story card, you must draw a new card and skip your turn. Sad, but true.
2. Wild cards can be played at any time, even if you’re not ready. Expect surprises.
3. If someone tries to use a story card twice, all their points for that round are lost. Cheaters never win, folks!
4. Always settle arguments with a rock-paper-scissors battle. It’s tradition. Probably.

So, now you know How To Play Stories! I’ve played enough rounds with my friends to see every rule tested. Just remember, the real goal is fun—winning is just bragging rights for next game night!

Best Stories! Strategies

Mastering the Balancing Act in Stories!

Every time I play Stories! with my friends, I notice the winner always keeps risk and reward in check. First, you can’t get greedy. However, you also can’t play it too safe, or you’ll just watch everyone else pass you by. So, how can you strike this perfect balance in Stories!? Let’s break it down.

Gauge the Table

1. Watch your friends’ moves—sometimes their confidence is fake, but sometimes it’s not. Adjust your risk accordingly.
2. Count cards or keep track of spent story elements to spot safe bets.

When to Push Your Luck

1. If you’re behind, it’s time to take bigger risks. At worst, you’ll lose with style. At best, you’ll make an epic comeback.
2. If you’re ahead, play a little safer. Everyone wants to take you down, so don’t give them a free shot.

Read the Room

1. Transition between safe and risky plays based on your opponents’ moods. If Becky starts sweating, you might be onto something.
2. Remember, How To Play stories! videos can give you a little edge, but nothing beats just paying attention.

Mastering the Art of Bluffing in How To Play stories!

Spot the Perfect Moment

1. Wait until everyone trusts you. That’s when your bluff will hit hardest.
2. Notice when others are distracted or unsure. Sneak in a bluff during the chaos.

Read the Room Fast

1. Watch faces and listen for nervous laughs.
2. If a player keeps checking their cards, they may fall for your tall tale.

Stay Confident

1. Never hesitate! Act like you know exactly what you’re doing, even if your heart races.
2. Use confident body language—no shifty eyes or shaky hands.

In How To Play stories!, bluffing at the right time makes all the difference. Just don’t let your friends read your sweaty forehead like a book!

Master the Art of Reading Your Opponents in How To Play stories!

To win at Stories!, you need to watch friends closer than a cheese plate at a party. Here are my hard-earned tips for spying their next move.

Spot Their Tells

1. Check for nervous habits like tapping fingers or sudden stares at the ceiling.
2. Notice patterns in the way they answer questions—consistency sometimes means lying!

Listen to Their Stories

1. Pay attention to stories that sound rehearsed or use fancy words out of nowhere.
2. Trust your gut when their story doesn’t match their usual personality.

Adjust Your Own Play

1. When you catch a bluff, use that info but don’t gloat—stay cool.
2. If they sense you’re watching, they might switch tactics, so stay flexible and quick.

Winning Stories! most often comes from reading people, not just cards. Every game night with my friends proves it: watch them closer, and you’ll win more often than not!

The Story Never Ends!

Alright, board game buddies, that’s a wrap on my How To Play stories! strategy guide. After many snack-fueled nights and truly wild guesses, I learned one big thing: stories win games… but only if you sell them with style. Bluff big, read your pals, and dare to take risks – you might just walk away the legend of the table. Now get out there, shuffle those cards, and make some stories worth bragging about. May your tales be bold and your bluffs even bolder!

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