Red Letter, Yellow Letter – Words A-Plenty

Quick! What’s a pizza topping that starts with “H” but doesn’t contain the letter “L”?

Congratulations, you are halfway to knowing how to play Red Letter, Yellow Letter.

Nathan Thornton has turned his wits to another party game, with help again from 25th Century Games. This one is all about being the first person to come up with a word.

How to Play

Red Letter, Yellow Letter is easy to understand and even easier to set up.

Set out the three stacks of cards – face-up so everyone can see them. Yellow Letters are the “starts with” letter, Red Letters are the “doesn’t contain” letter, and Things are the… things.

When everyone is ready, discard the top Thing card, and immediately start playing.

The first person to successfully name something that meets all three requirements wins the round! They choose one of the three cards to take as their winnings. The act of taking that card reveals a different Letter or Thing, and the race is on again. Players can immediately shout out their answer for the new combination of cards.

Red Letter, Yellow Letter keeps the rules simple. If the three revealed cards don’t have a correct answer – either by agreement from the players, or because the Yellow Letter and the Red Letter are the same – discard the offending card to make a new combination and start again.

Each player is allowed to win only THREE of each kind of card; so if you already have three Thing cards, you’re going to have to start taking letters.

The game ends when someone has nine cards in their winnings – three of each of the three types. Even with a larger group, the whole game is over in 20 minutes or less.

Impressions

I came into Red Letter, Yellow Letter cautiously. With the right setting, this kind of speedy word game can shine with our family (Tapple), but if even one element is wrong, it feels unfair or becomes a slog to get to the end (Everything Ever).

I decided we’d give it a try for just a few rounds, and stop if the kids were getting frustrated.

What I noticed in that first play has been true every time I’ve introduced the game to new players. The first few rounds are slow. People feel awkward that they can’t come up with just the right answer.

One person pulls ahead, winning two or three cards quickly. But then the words begin to flow – like a slow sunrise, touching first one player, then another, then everyone.

Everyone starts throwing out words when the cards flip, even if the answer is silly. Those answers spur other players on, and play becomes fast and furious.

We have never cut short a game of Red Letter, Yellow Letter. The goal of winning nine cards is just right. If it were any shorter, slower players wouldn’t have the chance to get into the game.

We have never cut short a game of Red Letter, Yellow Letter.

Truly a Party Game

Red Letter, Yellow Letter exemplifies all that’s great about party games.

This is the kind of game that will attract onlookers. The mere act of playing invites others to join in, with almost no rules explanation needed.

And although points are scored, it’s much more about participating than about winning the whole game. So, let newbies join halfway through – what have they got to lose?

As with any party game, the enjoyment you’ll get out of Red Letter, Yellow Letter depends on the group playing, and their willingness to keep the game moving.

Even though the box says two players is fine, I probably wouldn’t play with fewer than three. This game is definitely at its best when multiple people are throwing ideas out.

We only played with ages 10 and up, but you know your kids. If they have a good grasp of spelling and vocabulary, they can enjoy this too.

Not Just for Parties!

I need to mention an alternate way we’ve found to play Red Letter, Yellow Letter – it makes a great “car game”. Everyone can play this together on a family road trip – even the driver, or those (like me) afflicted with motion sickness. The box is already divided into three sections, so it stays self-contained. Whoever is holding the box states the three-card combination out loud, then play as normal. Hand the round winner their chosen trophy card – or set them aside if the driver won the round. Then read the next set and go again.

If you (like me) are sick of your kids bickering, or your teens all sinking into their separate devices, Red Letter, Yellow Letter delivers. It’s a quick way to bring the family together after dinner or in the car. Have the best kind of “fun arguments”, or appreciate each other’s creativity – without committing to a long time.

Find Red Letter, Yellow Letter at your friendly local game store, direct from 25th Century Games, or on Amazon. You’ll be glad you did!

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The Family Gamers received a copy of Red Letter, Yellow Letter from 25th Century Games for this review.

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