Scattergories Rules: How to Play, Score & Win

Scattergories is the fast-paced category game where everyone races the clock to think of answers starting with the same letter — and only unique answers score. Here's everything you need to know, whether you're playing the board game, with pencil and paper, or free online with CategoRush.

🎯 The Goal

Score the most points across all rounds by writing valid, unique answers — answers no other player thought of. The player with the highest total at the end wins.

📋 What You Need

• 2 or more players (3–6 is the sweet spot for paper play; online handles any size)
• A category list — 10–12 categories per round (need ideas? See our 200+ categories list)
• A letter — rolled on a 20-sided letter die or randomly generated
• A timer — usually 2–3 minutes per round
• Pencil and paper for each player — or just open CategoRush, which handles all of the above

🔤 How a Round Works

1. Everyone gets the same list of categories.
2. A random letter is revealed — every answer must start with that letter.
3. Start the timer. Players race to fill in one answer per category.
4. When time's up, pencils down (or answers auto-submit online).
5. Compare answers, score the round, and move to the next letter.

✅ Scoring Rules

Disputed answers? The group votes. Creative answers that can be defended ("Llama" for "Things in a backyard"... if you have a llama) are part of the fun. Articles like "The" don't count — "The Office" counts for letter O, not T.

🎲 The Letters

The classic Scattergories die has 20 letters. Q, U, V, X, Y, and Z are excluded because too few common words start with them. CategoRush follows the same convention when generating letters.

💡 Strategy Tips

• Go weird. The obvious answer is the duplicate answer. "Apple" for fruits on A? Everyone wrote that. "Apricot" wins.
• Skip and return. Don't burn 30 seconds stuck on one category — fill the easy ones first.
• Use names. Celebrities, brands, and places are often accepted and less likely to collide.
• Watch the clock. A mediocre answer beats a blank. Fill everything in the final 15 seconds.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How many players do you need?

Two or more. It's best with 3–6 on paper; online versions like CategoRush handle bigger groups easily since scoring is automatic.

How long is a round?

Traditionally 3 minutes. Most groups play 2–2.5 minutes for more intensity. CategoRush lets the host set anywhere from 30 seconds to 5 minutes.

Can answers be proper nouns?

Yes — names, brands, and places are all fair game unless your group decides otherwise. Just be ready to defend your answer if challenged.

Can you play Scattergories remotely?

Yes. With CategoRush, the host shares an invite link and everyone plays from their own device — same letter, same categories, same timer, wherever they are. Pair it with a video call and it works exactly like game night in person.

What's the difference between App Mode and Pencil Mode?

In CategoRush's App Mode, players type answers on their devices and the host reviews them after each round. In Pencil Mode, players write on paper like the classic game, and the host enters scores digitally — best of both worlds for in-person groups.