Get to Know You Games: How to Play Guess and Rate Decks

Quick answer

To run a guess and rate game, pick a deck like Really Good Really Bad, have one player rate a topic card privately, then let the group guess that rating before revealing it. Award points for close guesses, keep rounds short, and rotate the rater every turn so everyone gets a turn in the spotlight.

Set up the table before anyone rates anything

Clear the table of drinks and phones, then place the topic deck face down in the center. Each player needs a way to record ratings privately, such as a small notepad or a scrap of paper. Decide on a target score before you start so the game has a natural finish line instead of trailing off.

Choose a rater and make the rating private

The rater draws a topic card, reads it silently, and writes a rating on a scale the group agrees on, such as 1 to 10. Do not say the rating out loud. If you are using Really Good Really Bad, the 378 topic cards give you plenty of variety, but you can also use the deck's built-in love-and-hate framing to make ratings more personal.

Let the group guess before revealing

Each other player writes down their guess for the rater's number. Go around the table once, letting everyone say their guess and a one-sentence reason. Then the rater reveals the actual rating. This is where the conversation happens, so do not rush the reveal.

Score points and keep rounds moving

Award points to the closest guess, or to anyone within one point if you want a more forgiving game. The rater can also earn a point if at least one person guessed within two points, which keeps the rater engaged. Rotate the rater clockwise after every round so no one sits out too long.

Adapt the pace for different groups

With a small group of three or four, you can afford longer discussions after each reveal. With six or more, cap the reasons at one sentence per guess and consider playing in teams. If the group is new to each other, start with lighter topics and save the more personal cards for later rounds.

Step-by-step: running a guess and rate round

1. Draw and rate privately: The rater draws a topic card and writes down a rating from 1 to 10 without showing anyone. Checkpoint: make sure the rating is hidden before guesses begin.
2. Collect guesses: Every other player writes their guess for the rater's number, then shares it with a brief reason. Common mistake: letting one person dominate the reasoning phase.
3. Reveal and score: The rater shows the actual rating. Award a point to the closest guess, or to anyone within one point for a friendlier game. Checkpoint: announce the score clearly so the group stays oriented.
4. Rotate the rater: Pass the deck to the next player clockwise and repeat. Keep the same scale and scoring rules for consistency. Next step: after three rounds, ask the group if they want to adjust the scoring or topic difficulty.

Product facts

• Really Good Really Bad: The Get to Know You Guess & Rate Game: Really Good Really Bad: The Get to Know You Guess & Rate Game includes 378 topic cards where players rate favorite or least favorite things and others guess the ratings to win points. The large card count means you can play many rounds without repeating topics, which is useful for longer gatherings or repeated game nights.