TallynightHow to keep score in Taboo
In Taboo, your team scores a point for every word it guesses before the timer runs out. Every card you pass, or get buzzed for saying a taboo word, gives the other team a point. When everyone has given clues the same number of times, the team with the most points wins.
- Players
- 4 or more, in 2 teams
- Who wins
- Most points when everyone has given clues
- Each turn
- One minute on the sand timer
- Buzzed or passed
- A point to the other team
How a turn scores
After each turn, sort the cards into two piles: guessed, and buzzed or passed.
| Card | Points |
|---|---|
| Guessed by your team | 1 to your team |
| Buzzed: you said a taboo word or broke a clue rule | 1 to the other team |
| Passed | 1 to the other team |
| Still in play when time runs out | 0 |
As a house rule, some tables take a point off your own team for a buzzed or passed card instead. Either way, the gap between the teams moves by one.
Taking turns
One player on your team gives the clues. Someone from the other team watches the cards over their shoulder, ready to buzz.
When the minute is up, the other team plays with its own clue giver. Swap clue givers every turn, so everyone gets a go.
When the game ends, and ties
The game ends when every player has given clues the same number of times. If one team has a player fewer, one of its players gives clues twice.
If the teams are tied, each team takes one more turn. Older rules have each team pick its best clue giver for it.
What gets you buzzed
- Saying the guess word or a taboo word on the card, or any part of one: no space or ship for spaceship
- Gestures, noises or sound effects (singing is allowed)
- Sounds like, rhymes with, or starts with
- Abbreviations, like TV for television, and sneaky plurals, like feet for foot
Variants
- Minus a point: a buzzed or passed card takes a point off your team instead of giving one to the other team.
- Double time: when the timer runs out, turn it over and keep going. The other team gets the same on their turn.
- One guesser: only one teammate may guess on your turn.
A scoring example
Two teams, two turns each, a minute a turn. Each row is one team's turn, with the points for both teams.
| Turn | Team A | Team B |
|---|---|---|
| Team A: 7 guessed, 2 buzzed or passed | 7 | 2 |
| Team B: 5 guessed, 1 passed | 1 | 5 |
| Team A: 6 guessed, 3 buzzed or passed | 6 | 3 |
| Team B: 8 guessed, none passed | 0 | 8 |
| Total | 14 | 18 |
Both teams guessed 13 words. Team A's five buzzed and passed cards gave Team B the win, 18 to 14.
Keep score for Taboo in Tallynight
Taboo is set up for you: a running score, highest wins, a point a tap. Add each team as a player and start the 60-second timer for each turn.
Tap your team's tile for every word guessed, and the other team's tile for every card buzzed or passed.
- A 60-second turn timer for each clue giver
- A big tile for each team, in its colour
- Undo, and a scoring log to fix any point
- Tap End game when everyone has given clues
A Taboo score sheet to print
Playing on paper tonight? Print a free Taboo score sheet, or save it as a PDF.
Questions
How do you score Taboo?
Your team scores 1 point for each word it guesses in the minute. Every card you pass or get buzzed on gives the other team 1 point.
What score do you need to win Taboo?
There's no target score. The game ends when everyone has given clues the same number of times, and the team with the most points wins.
What happens if you say a taboo word?
The other team buzzes, the card is out, and they score a point for it. You carry on with the next card while the timer runs.
Can you pass in Taboo?
Yes, as often as you like, but every card you pass gives the other team a point.
How long is a turn in Taboo?
One minute, timed with the sand timer in the box.