If you’re a fan of one of America’s most popular gameshows, then be sure to have a look at the Family Feud Card game rules so you can bring the category-guessing game into your own home.
Unfortunately, the card game version isn’t hosted by Steve Harvey. Make sure that your nominated host looks as shocked and bewildered at silly answers as the beloved host for that real authentic Family Feud feel.
The card game rules follow the tv show’s rules closely, adapted to an easy-to-set-up and fun game that you can bust out at any time you have company around.
If you’ve already seen an episode of the show then the gameplay should be familiar, but to see how it’s been successfully turned into a card game be sure to read our guide to the Family Feud card game rules.
What Is the Family Feud Card Game?
First airing in 1975, Family Feud is a timeless classic so it’s no surprise that the game show got adapted into a card game.
Family Feud is similar to games such as Hedbanz or Taboo as you work within your team to come up with answers under pressure.
The fact that not only is the whole family encouraged to join in regardless of age playing is so simple as the questions are around everyday scenarios. So anyone of any ability should be able to play the Family Feud card game.
Number of Players Required: Up to 8 players required to play.
Who Can Play It: Recommended for everyone, especially families.
Difficulty: Easy, simple gameplay.
Length of Play: 20 – 30 minutes.
Similar to: Hedbanz; Jeopardy card game; Wheel of Fortune card game; Taboo
Main Objective: In teams, guess the most popular survey numbers to common categories and score points. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.
Why we love it: If you’ve ever seen an episode of Family Feud then you may notice how much fun people on the show have. This card game copies the game and creates the same amount of fun and laughter, while also being replayable many times.
Playing the Family Feud Card Game – What You’ll Need
You can create your very own Family Feud night simply by buying the official Family Feud card game set, which includes:
- 50 Fast Money cards
- 50 Face-Off cards
- 6 X cards
- 1 Fast money pad
- 2 Face-Off pads
- Space or table big enough for 2 teams sat either side
There are also different versions of the game that you can purchase which fit in with your needs, including a Disney version and an adults-only version.
It’s also a good idea to get some game buzzers as well for the head-to-head portions of the card game.
You May Also Like: Best Game Buzzers
How To Set Up the Family Feud Card Game
The first thing to set up is the teams, if you have an odd number it will make it easier to balance teams as 1 person needs to be the host of the game. Everyone else divides into 2 teams, try to keep them as balanced as possible.
The teams will then nominate 1 player to be the team captain and get the teams to decide on a team name. Give each team a pen and paper for use throughout the game.
Get whoever the host is to shuffle the Face-Off cards and the Fast-Money cards before you begin playing.
Family Feud Card Game Rules and Gameplay
The host is important as they are the person who enforces the Family Feud card game rules and is also the person who keeps the game moving by asking the questions.
The host also reveals the answers in whatever way they see fit. They are the host after all! Make sure that they also keep score, use a calculator if needed too.
Starting the Game
Start the game by ensuring that each team understands the scorepad as it is important to fill in correctly for accurate results at the end of the game.
There are 2 score pads for both the different rounds – the Face-Off Answer pad and the Fast Money score pad where players record their answers.
How to play the Family Feud Card Game
Each Family Feud game consists of 4 rounds, 3 Face-Off rounds, finishing with the Fast Money Bonus round.
Team captains go first, with the rest of the team sitting in the order that represents which round they’re taking part in.
The Face-Off Rounds
Like the TV show, the game starts with a Face-Off round with the 2 captains going head to head to attempt to take control of the category.
The host reads out the question and each team captain needs to buzz in to be the first to answer.
They need to guess the top answer to the question to win the right to guess the other answers with their team. If they are unable to guess the top answer, the other team captain attempts to.
Whichever captain gets the highest scoring answer takes control and gets given the chance to guess the rest first. They can also pass to the other team if they wish to as well.
The host announces how many answers that a team needs for that category, and the host goes down the line getting answers from team members.
If a player gives an answer that isn’t written on the host’s question/answer card, that team gets given a strike, represented by an X on their scorecard. 3 X’s means that the team is out and the opposing players get the chance to steal the round.
Winning the round scores points,covered in our scoring section, and if the team who controls the question gets all the correct answers before 3 X’s means they win the round.
If the opposing team has a chance to steal, they need to decide on 1 answer on the card to win the round instead. If they fail to get the right answer, the original team wins the round.
The Fast Money Bonus Round
The final round is when each team nominates 1 player to take part. These 2 players cannot have any help from other team members.
The host picks a card that displays 5 different questions that the players need to answer. Another teammate writes down their answers as they’re said on the Fast Money scorecard.
Whoever is in the team that is leading at this stage answers first. Players cannot have the same answer as one another so it is important that each answer is properly tracked.
Start a timer for 1 minute and have the host read out the questions as fast as possible. If an answer gets given that isn’t on the scorecard, the host can ask the player to try again.
Once both players have given their answers within the time limit, the game ends with the host revealing the answers and scores.
The team with the most points at the end of the game wins the Family Feud card game.
Scoring In Family Feud
Each question card has a score attached to it, which gets given to the team that wins the round. The amount of points is also adjusted depending on the round.
- Round 1 – Face-Off round worth normal points.
- Round 2 – Face-Off round worth double points.
- Round 3 – Face-Off round worth double points.
- Round 4 – Fast Money round worth triple points.
Have the host calculate scores at the end of the game to see who wins Family Feud.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the Family Feud card game rules that you can adjust?
As Family Feud is a straightforward game, you can adjust the rules to include more players if needed.
Simply increase the number of rounds played, or give each player a chance at the Fast Money round to expand the game as your friends and family see fit.
Do we need a buzzer to be able to play the Family Feud card game?
Although using a buzzer is easier and more authentic, it’s not needed to be able to play.
You can get the same result by getting each team to say a unique noise, slamming the table, or by politely raising a hand.
Use whatever works best for you.
Alternative Games to the Family Feud Card Game
Family Feud is definitely a card game for larger groups that certainly fits the bill due to the easy-to-follow rules and entertaining, replayable gameplay.
Fortunately, there are plenty of other card games to play that you can also play in big groups. Check out the Mad Gab rules and Scattergories rules for one such game, or if you’re looking for something slightly harder learn the SushiGo Party rules.
If you’re looking for similar board games to play that also rely on trivia, look at our guides to the Logo board game rules and the Trivial Pursuit rules.
