OFFICIAL RULES

Download a pdf version of these rules

Note: This color pdf will print at full size on two letter-sized sheets of paper. It will print in shades of grey on a black and white printer.

What’s in the Box

• 216 Cards
• 36 Chain Links
• Chain Game Horn
• Card Tray
• Divider Card
  Before playing the first game, place the Divider Card in the back of the Card Tray.
• Rule Sheet

The Object of The Chain Game

Keep your chain links by successfully forming word combinations using one word from the previous player’s word combination. The player with the most links at the end of the game wins The Chain Game.

Setting Up

1. Give each player the number of chain links indicated below.

2. Place the cards into the card tray so that the backs of the cards are facing forward. Place the card tray within reach of all players.
   
3. Choose one player to be the first “Timekeeper” and give that player the Chain Game Horn.

Playing the Game

The Chain Game consists of a series of “Word Chains” in which players take turns forming new word combinations using at least one word from the previous player’s word combination. The Word Chain Gamecontinues from player to player until a player is unable to link a new word combination. The Word Chain is then considered broken and the Timekeeper honks the horn.

1. To begin a Word Chain the Timekeeper takes the card from the front of the card tray, reads the word combination aloud, and places the card at the back of the card deck.
   
2. The player to the Timekeeper’s left must then quickly say another word combination that includes at least one of the words read by the Timekeeper. That player has approximately five seconds to form a new word combination. See Timekeeper’s Duties.
   
3. The player will either be successful or unsuccessful in forming a new word combination within the five seconds. See Word Combinations.
   If successful: The player to his or her left must then form another word combination that includes at least one of the words used in the most recent word combination. Play continues, passing to the left, with players “linking” word combinations using at least one word from the previous player’s word combination, until a player is unsuccessful.
   If unsuccessful: The Timekeeper honks the horn, the Word Chain is broken, and the game stops. The player who was unable to form a word combination must put one of his or her chain links into the bowl in the back of the card tray.
   
4. The role of Timekeeper (and the horn) is passed to the player to the left of the current Timekeeper. Play resumes following steps 1–4 until one player has lost all of his or her chain links.

Winning the Game

When one player loses all of his or her links the game is over and the remaining players count their links. The player with the most links wins!

Tiebreaker —
During a tiebreaker the players tied for the win continue to form word combinations while the other players take turns serving as Timekeeper. The role of Timekeeper still rotates to the left but now passes over the tied players. The tied players follow steps 1–4 in Playing the Game, but when a player breaks the chain, he or she is eliminated and the other tied players begin a new word chain. Play continues until there is only one player remaining—that player wins The Chain Game!

The Timekeeper’s Duties

The Timekeeper decides which word combinations are allowed, controls the horn, and is responsible for keeping track of the time each player has to form an acceptable word combination. On each player’s turn the Timekeeper counts five seconds to him or herself. Players may say multiple word combinations on their turn, but must say at least one acceptable word combination within five seconds to avoid breaking the chain.

If an acceptable word combination has not been formed within five seconds, the Timekeeper honks the horn. The Timekeeper must honk the horn, even on his or her own turn, if unable to form a word combination within five seconds!