How To Play
How to Play NAMECHAIN
Objective
Be the last player remaining by correctly naming people that match the prompt cards while following the NAMECHAIN rule.
Setup
Shuffle the prompt deck.
Each player takes:
1 Red SKIP card
1 Yellow CHALLENGE card
1 Blue SEARCH card
The youngest player starts.
The NAMECHAIN Rule
The first letter of the first name you say must match the first letter of the previous player’s surname.
Example
Lionel Messi (Athlete)
↓
Matt Damon (Actor)
↓
David Attenborough (Famous Person)
↓
Andrew Garfield (Actor)
Taking Your Turn
Flip the top prompt card.
Choose a timer that suits your group. A 30-second timer is recommended, but you can play with no timer, a longer timer, or any time limit you prefer.
Say a name that:
Matches the prompt card.
Follows the NAMECHAIN rule.
If you are using a timer and do not answer before it ends, you are out for that round.
Reversals
If a name has the same first and last initial, shout “REVERSAL!”
Example
Michael McIntyre
The direction of play immediately reverses.
Power Cards
Red SKIP
Discard the current prompt card and draw a new one.
Yellow CHALLENGE
Challenge another player’s answer. The table decides whether the answer counts.
Blue SEARCH
Briefly use your phone to confirm a name if the table agrees. The extent of what you are allowed to search is up to the table’s discretion.
Winning
Play continues until only one player remains.
The last remaining player wins.
If the prompt deck runs out, reshuffle it and continue playing.
Classic Mode
Ignore the prompt deck and play using any category you like while continuing to follow the NAMECHAIN rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a player automatically out if their answer is challenged?
The table decides.
If the group agrees that the answer is valid, the player remains in the game. If the group decides that the answer does not count, the player can be eliminated.
However, you can play NAMECHAIN however you prefer. Give the player another chance if your group wants to keep the game going.
How much can you use the SEARCH card?
The SEARCH card is intended to let a player briefly use their phone to confirm whether a person exists or fits the prompt.
The extent of what can be searched is entirely up to the table’s discretion. Some groups may only allow a quick confirmation, while others may be more relaxed.
How many times can each Power Card be used?
Each Power Card can only be used once.
Once you use it, you lose it. Remove it from play for the rest of the game.
What happens if someone runs out of time?
If you are using a timer and a player does not answer before it ends, they are normally out.
However, NAMECHAIN is designed to be flexible. You can give the player another chance, use a longer timer or play without a timer entirely. Choose whatever makes the game most enjoyable for your group. How to Play NAMECHAIN.