House Rules

Tested tweaks that make classic games way more fun

🎲

Monopoly: Speed Edition

Cuts game time from 3+ hours to 45 minutes

The Changes:

  • Start with $1000 instead of $1500
  • Players can only own one property per color set
  • Auction immediately if landing on unowned property
  • Game ends when first player goes bankrupt

Why It Works:

The original game drags because everyone hoards properties. This forces action, creates scarcity, and keeps the game moving. You'll actually finish a game!

🃏

Uno: Draw Stack

Adds delicious chaos and strategy

The Changes:

  • When a Draw 2 or Draw 4 is played, next player can play their own
  • Stack continues until someone can't match
  • That player draws the entire accumulated stack
  • Saving your draw cards becomes strategy

Why It Works:

Vanilla Uno is boring. This rule creates hilarious moments when someone gets stuck drawing 8+ cards, and adds actual strategy about when to use your draw cards.

🎯

Scrabble: Time Limit

Transforms endless thinking into quick decisions

The Changes:

  • Each player gets 90 seconds per turn
  • Use phone timer visible to all
  • If time runs out, turn is skipped
  • Keeps game moving and competitive

Why It Works:

Analysis paralysis kills Scrabble. A time limit forces action, stops one player from holding up the game, and makes it feel more like a sport than homework.

👑

King of Tokyo: Evolution Cards

Adds surprise comebacks and variety

The Changes:

  • Each player draws 3 evolution cards at start
  • Keep 1 secret
  • Play it any time for one-time special ability
  • Creates unique player powers

Why It Works:

Base game can feel samey. Secret powers add asymmetry, dramatic comebacks, and memorable moments. Plus it's fun to surprise opponents with your hidden ability.

🏘️

Catan: Speed Build

Cuts early game grind, gets to fun faster

The Changes:

  • Start with 2 settlements AND 2 roads (normal)
  • Plus 3 extra resource cards of your choice
  • First player to 8 points wins (instead of 10)
  • Speeds up early game significantly

Why It Works:

Early Catan is slow and luck-dependent. Extra starting resources let everyone build faster, and lowering the victory threshold keeps games under 90 minutes.

😈

Cards Against Humanity: Rando Cardissian

An AI player that somehow wins too often

The Changes:

  • Deal an extra hand to "Rando Cardissian" (imaginary player)
  • Random cards from deck for every round
  • If Rando wins 3 rounds, everyone loses
  • Creates hilarious pressure

Why It Works:

Sometimes the random cards are accidentally funnier than anyone's actual picks. Plus it's embarrassing when an imaginary player beats you, which makes it even funnier.

Got a house rule that works?

We're always testing new tweaks. Send us your best house rules and we might feature them here!

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