5 Simple Rules for Playing Joking Hazard

Joking Hazard card game

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Prepare to step into a realm of absurdity and hilarity with Joking Hazard, a card game that will tickle your funny bone and unleash your inner prankster. This wickedly clever game is perfect for gatherings with friends or family, and it’s guaranteed to bring laughter and chaos to any occasion. Don’t be fooled by its seemingly innocent appearance, Joking Hazard’s deceptively simple rules conceal a whirlpool of dark humor that will leave you gasping for air and begging for more.

At the heart of Joking Hazard lies a deck of delightfully offensive panels, each adorned with a scene begging for the perfect caption. As the game unfolds, players take turns becoming the “judge,” who selects a random panel from the deck. The remaining players then secretly choose a caption from their hand to pair with the panel. The judge then reads aloud each caption, attempting to stifle their giggles as they try to determine which pairing is the most absurd and amusing. The player whose caption is chosen as the winner earns a point, and the hilarity continues.

Beyond its core gameplay, Joking Hazard offers several expansion packs that introduce new elements and even more outrageous content. These expansions can be incorporated into the base game or played on their own, adding variety and freshness to the experience. Whether you’re a seasoned jokester or a newbie to the world of twisted humor, Joking Hazard is sure to become a staple in your collection of irreverent entertainment.

Setting Up the Game

Joking Hazard is a hilarious card game that is sure to get everyone laughing. To set up the game, you will need:

A group of 3-10 players
The Joking Hazard card deck

1. Shuffle the cards

First, shuffle the Joking Hazard card deck thoroughly. Make sure all the cards are mixed up well.

2. Deal out the cards

Next, deal out 7 cards to each player. The remaining cards will be placed in a draw pile in the center of the table.

3. Choose a judge

One player will be chosen as the judge for the first round. The judge will be responsible for picking the best card combination each round.

4. Start the game

The player to the left of the judge starts the game by playing a card from their hand. The card can be any card in their hand, but it must be face down.

Distributing the Cards

Step 1: Deal the Jokers

The first step is to deal the two Joker cards. Each player receives one Joker card, which they keep face down. The Joker cards are wild and can be used to replace any other card in the game.

Step 2: Deal the Player Cards

Next, deal each player seven Player Cards. These cards are numbered from 1 to 7 and contain a variety of prompts and responses. Players should keep their Player Cards face down.

Step 3: Deal the Topic Cards

Finally, deal each player three Topic Cards. These cards have a single word or phrase written on them. Players can use these cards to inspire their responses.

Dealing Order

The cards should be dealt in the following order:

Step	Cards Dealt
1	2 Joker cards
2	7 Player Cards per player
3	3 Topic Cards per player

Make sure that all players have the same number of cards before starting the game.

The Objective of the Game

Joking Hazard is a hilariously absurd card game that requires a wicked sense of humor and a potty mouth. The goal is to complete the most offensive, outrageous, and laugh-inducing comic strip possible using a combination of cards depicting inappropriate and politically incorrect images and captions.

Gameplay

Deal the Cards: Each player receives 7 caption cards and 7 image cards.
Create the Comic: The first player chooses one of their image cards and places it face up on the table. The other players then take turns selecting and placing caption cards above and below the image.
The Big Reveal: Once all the caption cards have been placed, the "Comic Master" (whoever played the image card) reads the completed comic strip aloud. The comic strip that garners the most laughter or disgust from the group wins the round.

To add an extra layer of chaos, Joking Hazard includes a variety of special cards that can shake up the gameplay, such as:

Card Type	Effect
Randomizer	Forces the Comic Master to play a different image card
Scramble	Mixes up all the caption cards in play
Imperative	Orders the Comic Master to use a specific caption card

Creating the Winning Card

To create the winning card, follow these steps:

Choose a Card Czar: One player is randomly selected to be the Card Czar. The Card Czar’s role is to judge the best card combination.
Distribute White Cards: Each player receives 7 white cards depicting people, places, things, or events.
Read the Black Card: The Card Czar draws a black card and reads it aloud to the group. The black card contains a prompt or question.
Submit White Cards: Each player secretly selects one white card from their hand that they believe best completes the black card prompt. Players place their chosen cards face down in front of them.

**Detailed Instructions for Step 4: Submit White Cards**
Step	Description
a.	Players should carefully consider the black card prompt and choose the white card that they believe will be the funniest or most creative completion.
b.	Players can use their hand cards strategically to create unexpected or absurd combinations.
c.	Once everyone has selected their card, they should place it face down in front of them to keep it hidden from other players.

Playing the Cards

Once you have your 10 cards, you can start playing. The game is played in rounds, and each round consists of the following steps:

1. The Judge Chooses a Hazard Card

The first player to be the judge chooses a Hazard card from their hand. The Hazard card will have a picture and a caption on it. The caption is the “setup” for the round.

2. The Players Submit Response Cards

The other players each choose one of their Response cards to submit to the judge. The Response cards will have a picture and a caption on them. The caption is the “punchline” for the round.

3. The Judge Chooses the Winning Response

The judge chooses the Response card that they find funniest or most clever. The player who submitted the winning Response card gets to keep the Hazard card.

4. The Judge Gives Out Bonus Cards (Optional)

If the judge wants, they can give out Bonus cards to any other players who submitted funny or clever Response cards. Bonus cards can be used to add extra points to your score or to steal cards from other players.

5. The Next Player Chooses a Hazard Card

The next player in line becomes the judge and chooses a new Hazard card. The game continues until one player reaches the agreed-upon score (usually 50 points). That player wins the game.

Choosing the Joking Hazard

The Joking Hazard is the card that sets the stage for the round. It’s chosen by one of the players who acts as the Card Czar for that round.

The Card Czar should choose a card that they find funny or offensive, or that they think the other players will find funny or offensive. The purpose of the Joking Hazard is to get the other players to laugh or be offended, so it’s important to choose a card that you think will have the desired effect.

If you’re not sure which card to choose, you can always ask the other players for their input. They may have a different perspective on what cards are funny or offensive, so their input can help you make the best choice.

Once you’ve chosen the Joking Hazard, you’ll lay it face up in the center of the table. The other players will then submit their cards, which will be used to complete the joke.

Joking Hazard Suggestions:

Rank	Joking Hazard	Playstyle
S-Tier	“Your severed finger.”	Dark, grotesque, often adult-oriented
A-Tier	“A disappointing birthday party.”	Relatable, everyday situations with a comedic twist
B-Tier	“A mime having an existential crisis.”	Surreal, absurd, and nonsensical scenarios
C-Tier	“A guy who’s really bad at high-fives.”	Light-hearted, silly, and family-friendly
D-Tier	“A potato that can talk.”	Overused, predictable, or simply not funny

Winning the Round

To win a round of Joking Hazard, you must use your cards to create the most humorous and absurd combination possible. Here are the steps involved in winning the round:

1. Play Your Card

After the Czar draws a Question Card, all other players must choose one of their Answer Cards and place it face down on the table.

2. Reveal the Answer Cards

Once everyone has played their card, the Czar reveals all the Answer Cards and reads them aloud.

3. The Czar Judges

The Czar chooses the Answer Card that they find the funniest and awards the winning player a point.

4. Draw New Cards

If the winning player has played all of their Answer Cards, they draw a new hand of 10 cards. The Czar also draws a new Question Card.

5. Continue Playing

The game continues until one player reaches 5 points.

6. Tiebreaker

If two or more players reach 5 points at the same time, a tiebreaker round is played. In the tiebreaker round, each player who has reached 5 points plays one final Answer Card. The Czar chooses the funniest card and awards the winning player the victory.

7. Awarding Points

The Czar has the following options for awarding points:

Points	Description
1 Point	The Czar awards 1 point to the player who played the funniest Answer Card.
2 Points	The Czar awards 2 points to a player who played an Answer Card that is particularly creative or unexpected.
3 Points	The Czar awards 3 points to a player who played an Answer Card that is so absurd or offensive that it causes the entire table to erupt in laughter.

Scoring Points

The goal of Joking Hazard is to be the first player or team to reach 20 points. Points are awarded for playing the best and worst panels in each round.

Best Panel

The best panel is chosen by the Card Czar and is worth 3 points. The player who played the best panel receives the 3 points.

Worst Panel

The worst panel is also chosen by the Card Czar and is worth 1 point. However, the player who played the worst panel does not receive the point. Instead, the point is added to the Pot.

Pot

The Pot is a running total of points that are not awarded to players. At the end of the game, the player with the most points in the Pot wins a bonus 5 points.

Tie Breaker

In the event of a tie, the player or team with the most points in the Pot wins.

Winning

The first player or team to reach 20 points wins the game.

Special Rule: Sudden Death

If the game has not been won after 3 rounds, a Sudden Death round is played. In a Sudden Death round, the player or team with the most points in the Pot wins the game.

Ending the Game

The game ends when one player has collected all five black cards, signifying they have made the best joke in all the land. However, there are a few stipulations that can come into play when ending the game:

If a player has five black cards but one or more of them are Challenge Cards, they must still play them. If they are challenged successfully, they lose the black card to the challenger.
If a player uses a Skip Card, they skip their turn, but the game does not end.
If a player uses a Swap Card, they can swap one of their black cards with any other player’s black card (except for Challenge Cards). This does not end the game.
If a player challenges another player’s black card and wins, the challenger takes the black card from the challenged player.
If a player challenges another player’s black card and loses, the challenger loses one of their own black cards.
If a player uses a Peek Card, they can look at one of the black cards in another player’s hand (except for Challenge Cards).
If a player uses a Shuffle Card, they can shuffle the black cards in another player’s hand.
If a player uses a Discard Card, they can force another player to discard one of their black cards.
If a player uses an “All-In” Card, they bet all of their black cards on a single challenge. If they win, they collect all five black cards. If they lose, they lose all of their black cards.

Tips for Playing Well

1. Know the Rules

Make sure you’re familiar with the basic rules of Joking Hazard. This will help you understand how the game works and how to strategize.

2. Choose Cards Wisely

When playing your cards, consider the other players’ hands and the direction the game is going. Try to anticipate what cards might be played next and how you can use your cards to create the funniest combinations.

3. Be Creative

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when creating your card combinations. The more creative and unexpected your combinations, the more likely you are to win.

4. Bluff Wisely

Sometimes, it’s helpful to bluff when you don’t have a great combination. If you can convince other players that your cards are better than they actually are, you may be able to steal the win.

5. Pay Attention to Other Players

Observe the cards other players are playing and the reactions they have. This can give you clues about what cards they might have in their hands and how they’re strategizing.

6. Manage Your Hand Size

Keep an eye on the number of cards in your hand. If you have too many cards, it will be harder to find the combinations you need. If you have too few cards, you may not have enough options to win.

7. Don’t Be Afraid to Discard

If you’re not happy with your hand, don’t be afraid to discard cards. You can always draw new cards, and it’s better to get rid of weak cards than to hold onto them.

8. Play to Your Strengths

If you have a lot of cards in a particular category (e.g., animals, people, actions), try to create combinations that showcase your strengths.

9. Be a Good Sport

Joking Hazard is a game, so have fun and don’t take it too seriously. Even if you don’t win every time, you can still enjoy the laughter and fun.

10. Practice Makes Perfect

The more you play Joking Hazard, the better you’ll become at it. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t win right away. Keep practicing and you’ll eventually become a master of the game.

How to Play Joking Hazard

Joking Hazard is a tabletop card game created by Johnny McGovern and Matthew Inman. It is a competitive game for two or more players who use cards with ridiculous images and phrases to create humorous combinations.

To play the game, you will need the following:

– A deck of Joking Hazard cards
– A small game board
– A pawn for each player
– A die

To start the game, each player draws a hand of seven cards. One player is designated as the “judge” and the others are the “jokers.” The judge draws a card from the deck and reveals it to the other players. The jokers then choose one of their cards to play on the card revealed by the judge. The judge then picks the card they find funniest and the player who played that card moves their pawn forward one space on the game board.

The game continues until one player reaches the end of the game board. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.