{"quiz":"house-rules","version":"1.0","build":"1.0.1","label":"House Rule Picker v1.0","types":[{"id":"coop","label":"Co-op games","sub":"All on one team","c1":"#0f8f84","c2":"#0b5f58"},{"id":"party","label":"Party and word games","sub":"Clues, guesses, laughs","c1":"#d6337a","c2":"#9c1460"},{"id":"strategy","label":"Strategy and puzzles","sub":"Plan and build","c1":"#6553db","c2":"#3b2a8c"},{"id":"bluff","label":"Bluff and trade","sub":"Deals and poker faces","c1":"#d62839","c2":"#8a1520"},{"id":"luck","label":"Push your luck","sub":"Big swings, loud cheers","c1":"#d9480f","c2":"#9a3412"},{"id":"any","label":"Surprise me","sub":"Any game","c1":"#22163a","c2":"#4b3a75"}],"groups":[{"id":"kids","label":"Kids at the table"},{"id":"family","label":"Family, mixed ages"},{"id":"new","label":"New players"},{"id":"regulars","label":"Our regular crew"}],"wants":[{"id":"laughs","label":"Laughs"},{"id":"teamwork","label":"Teamwork"},{"id":"lesspressure","label":"Less pressure"},{"id":"talking","label":"More talking"},{"id":"fairness","label":"Fairness"},{"id":"challenge","label":"A fresh challenge"}],"cards":[{"slug":"azul","game":"Azul","rule":"Gray-side wall","kind":"official","text":"All players use the gray side of their boards. During wall tiling, place the tile from each completed pattern line into any legal space in the matching wall row. Each color may appear only once per row and once per column. If no legal space remains, move all tiles from that pattern line to the floor line. All other official rules apply.","good":"Decision-making and planning","suits":"Experienced players who want more choice","watch":"Overload for new players. Use it only after a standard game.","ask":"How did more choice change your planning?","players":"2 to 4","status":"live","label":"Official variant (from the rulebook)","url":"/guides/azul/","types":["strategy"],"groups":["regulars"],"wants":["challenge"],"c1":"#6553db","c2":"#3b2a8c"},{"slug":"cascadia","game":"Cascadia","rule":"Family Variant","kind":"official","text":"Use the rulebook's Family Variant wildlife scoring. Turns are unchanged. The Family Variant also lets you skip habitat majority bonuses.","good":"Accessibility","suits":"First plays, younger players, mixed-age groups","watch":"Experienced players may find it light; that is fine for sessions.","ask":"Did simpler scoring change how you enjoyed the game?","players":"1 to 4, with a solo mode","status":"coming-soon","label":"Official variant (from the rulebook)","url":"/guides/cascadia/","types":["strategy"],"groups":["kids","family","new"],"wants":["lesspressure"],"c1":"#6553db","c2":"#3b2a8c"},{"slug":"catan","game":"CATAN","rule":"Trade window","kind":"bgt","text":"During your trade step, make one genuine offer to another player or say “pass.” You may pass without explanation. Anyone who receives an offer may freely decline.","good":"Assertiveness and advocating for a need","suits":"Groups with quiet players who rarely ask","watch":"Offers made just to satisfy the structure. A pass is a full turn.","ask":"What was it like to have a set moment to ask?","players":"3 to 4 (5 to 6 with an extension)","status":"live","label":"Board Game Therapy™ house rule (not official)","url":"/guides/catan/","types":["strategy","bluff"],"groups":["regulars","new"],"wants":["talking","fairness"],"c1":"#6553db","c2":"#3b2a8c"},{"slug":"chess","game":"Chess","rule":"One take-back each","kind":"bgt","text":"Each player may retract one of their own moves during the game, as long as the opponent has not yet replied. The player then makes a different legal move. Unused take-backs expire when the game ends.","good":"Handling mistakes","suits":"Learners, mixed ages, players anxious about blunders","watch":"Arguing over when to use it. It is the mover's choice.","ask":"What was it like to have a second chance?","players":"2","status":"live","label":"Board Game Therapy™ house rule (not official)","url":"/guides/chess/","types":["strategy"],"groups":["kids","family","new"],"wants":["lesspressure"],"c1":"#6553db","c2":"#3b2a8c"},{"slug":"citadels","game":"Citadels","rule":"Choose a gentler cast","kind":"official","text":"The 2016 rulebook lets you choose which character fills each rank. For a lower-conflict table, start with the official first-game set and consider replacing the Assassin with the Magistrate and the Warlord with the Diplomat. Keep one legal character per required rank and follow all player-count restrictions. These changes alter the kind of conflict; they do not remove it.","good":"Lower conflict","suits":"Host settings and first sessions","watch":"Removing all tension. Some interaction keeps the game alive.","ask":"How did the character set shape the mood?","players":"2 to 8","status":"live","label":"Official variant (from the rulebook)","url":"/guides/citadels/","types":["strategy","bluff"],"groups":["new","family"],"wants":["lesspressure"],"c1":"#6553db","c2":"#3b2a8c"},{"slug":"codenames","game":"Codenames","rule":"Rotating spymaster","kind":"bgt","text":"Between complete games, invite a new volunteer to be spymaster. Willing players get a turn once before anyone repeats, and the same person may volunteer again if nobody else wants the role. Never require anyone to take it.","good":"Inclusion and shared pressure","suits":"Any group; the book's top watch point","watch":"Someone who does not want the role. Rotation is opt-in.","ask":"What was it like on the other side of the clue?","players":"4 to 8+ (current listing; 2 and 3 player variants exist)","status":"live","label":"Board Game Therapy™ house rule (not official)","url":"/guides/codenames/","types":["party"],"groups":["kids","family","new","regulars"],"wants":["fairness","lesspressure","laughs"],"c1":"#d6337a","c2":"#9c1460"},{"slug":"concept","game":"Concept","rule":"No points (publisher-permitted option)","kind":"official","text":"Skip scoring entirely. The publisher explicitly permits playing without points for groups who just enjoy giving and guessing clues.","good":"Inclusion and lower performance pressure","suits":"First sessions, children, mixed-ability groups","watch":"A few players keeping score in their heads anyway. Name that today is about clues.","ask":"What changed without points?","players":"4 to 12 (publisher listing)","status":"live","label":"Official variant (from the rulebook)","url":"/guides/concept/","types":["party"],"groups":["kids","family","new"],"wants":["lesspressure","laughs"],"c1":"#d6337a","c2":"#9c1460"},{"slug":"decrypto","game":"Decrypto","rule":"Partner Encryptor","kind":"bgt","text":"The Encryptor may choose one teammate as a clue-writing partner. Both privately view the code and write the three clues together. Neither joins the team's decoding discussion or gives hints after the clues are read. The other teammates decode normally. For small teams, consider Single team instead.","good":"Support and inclusion","suits":"Younger players and those less confident with words","watch":"Make sure the helper does not take over.","ask":"What did working in a pair add?","players":"3 to 8 (two teams; 3-player rules included)","status":"live","label":"Board Game Therapy™ house rule (not official)","url":"/guides/decrypto/","types":["party"],"groups":["kids","new"],"wants":["teamwork","lesspressure"],"c1":"#d6337a","c2":"#9c1460"},{"slug":"dixit","game":"Dixit","rule":"Cooperative clue lab","kind":"bgt","text":"Play without points. After each reveal, invite the group to discuss which clues or card choices made the storyteller's meaning easier or harder to find. Before the next turn, the group may suggest one general clue-giving strategy. The next storyteller is free to use or ignore it.","good":"Collaborative sense-making and shared strategy","suits":"Groups practicing collaborative problem-solving without competitive scoring","watch":"Stronger voices dominating or pressuring the next storyteller.","ask":"What did we understand better by comparing our different interpretations?","players":"3 to 8 (current edition)","status":"coming-soon","label":"Board Game Therapy™ house rule (not official)","url":"/guides/dixit/","types":["party"],"groups":["regulars","family"],"wants":["talking","teamwork","laughs"],"c1":"#d6337a","c2":"#9c1460"},{"slug":"gloomhaven","game":"Gloomhaven","rule":"Open information","kind":"official","text":"Official First Edition variant. Players may reveal their hands, card details, initiative values, and intended actions. For the First Edition balance adjustment, increase monster level and trap damage by 1 without increasing gold conversion or bonus experience. Check your edition's rulebook before applying it.","good":"Communication and inclusion","suits":"New players and groups who find hidden plans frustrating","watch":"One player directing everyone. Ask first, then advise.","ask":"Did open information change how we worked together?","players":"1 to 4","status":"coming-soon","label":"Official variant (from the rulebook)","url":"/guides/gloomhaven/","types":["coop"],"groups":["new","regulars"],"wants":["talking","teamwork"],"c1":"#0f8f84","c2":"#0b5f58"},{"slug":"hanabi","game":"Hanabi","rule":"Custom communication agreements (official rulebook option)","kind":"official","text":"The R&R Games rulebook permits players to set their own communication conventions. Before play, agree on one or two extra kinds of comment, such as acknowledging uncertainty (“I don't know anything about my hand”), that do not identify unseen cards or add unagreed hints.","good":"Inclusion and lower frustration","suits":"First games and groups with mixed experience","watch":"Agreements creeping into hidden hints. Agree what is in and out.","ask":"Which extra words helped, and which went too far?","players":"2 to 5","status":"coming-soon","label":"Official variant (from the rulebook)","url":"/guides/hanabi/","types":["coop"],"groups":["new","family"],"wants":["talking","lesspressure"],"c1":"#0f8f84","c2":"#0b5f58"},{"slug":"hoot-owl-hoot","game":"Hoot Owl Hoot!","rule":"Ask before you fly","kind":"bgt","text":"On a turn when the active player plays a Color card, they ask one teammate, “Which owl would you move?” The teammate may suggest an owl or pass. The active player decides. Rotate whom you ask. Sun-card turns follow the official rules without this step.","good":"Communication and asking for input","suits":"Young children and mixed-age tables","watch":"The same person always being asked. Rotate.","ask":"Who helped you decide?","players":"2 to 4","status":"live","label":"Board Game Therapy™ house rule (not official)","url":"/guides/hoot-owl-hoot/","types":["coop"],"groups":["kids","family"],"wants":["talking","teamwork"],"c1":"#0f8f84","c2":"#0b5f58"},{"slug":"just-one","game":"Just One","rule":"Clue pairs","kind":"bgt","text":"Two clue-givers (never including the current guesser) choose one clue together and write it on one shared easel, so the pair produces one clue in total. In 3- or 4-player sessions, this replaces the standard two-clue arrangement with one agreed clue per pair. Ordinary cancellation rules apply to all clues.","good":"Cooperation and inclusion","suits":"Newer players, younger players, or anyone who prefers company","watch":"One partner always writing. Alternate.","ask":"How did the two of you choose?","players":"3 to 7","status":"live","label":"Board Game Therapy™ house rule (not official)","url":"/guides/just-one/","types":["coop","party"],"groups":["kids","family","new"],"wants":["teamwork","laughs"],"c1":"#0f8f84","c2":"#0b5f58"},{"slug":"king-of-tokyo","game":"King of Tokyo","rule":"No elimination","kind":"bgt","text":"When a monster would be eliminated, set its health to 5 at once and subtract 2 victory points (minimum 0). It keeps its cards and energy. If it was in Tokyo, it leaves Tokyo and returns to play outside; the attacker may enter under the usual rules. This removes the last-monster-standing win: the game ends only when a surviving monster reaches the point target at the end of a turn, or at an agreed time limit.","good":"Inclusion","suits":"Younger players and groups where being left out is hard","watch":"The game may run longer; agree on a time limit.","ask":"How did knowing you could come back change your choices?","players":"2 to 6","status":"live","label":"Board Game Therapy™ house rule (not official)","url":"/guides/king-of-tokyo/","types":["luck"],"groups":["kids","family"],"wants":["fairness","lesspressure","laughs"],"c1":"#d9480f","c2":"#9a3412"},{"slug":"monikers","game":"Monikers","rule":"Co-op variant (classic edition)","kind":"official","text":"Classic-edition co-op variant for four or fewer players: combine into one group, set a timer for one minute per card in the shared deck, and try to complete all three rounds, including reshuffles, before time runs out. Check whether your edition includes it.","good":"Cooperation","suits":"Groups of 4 or fewer, or groups who prefer not to compete","watch":"Louder players controlling guesses or taking most clue-giver turns. Offer fair chances to contribute without forcing anyone.","ask":"How did it feel with everyone on one team?","players":"2 to 12+ (publisher listing); classic co-op variant for 4 or fewer","status":"coming-soon","label":"Official variant (from the rulebook)","url":"/guides/monikers/","types":["party","coop"],"groups":["regulars","family"],"wants":["teamwork","laughs"],"c1":"#d6337a","c2":"#9c1460"},{"slug":"monopoly","game":"Monopoly","rule":"Write the house rules first (pregame protocol)","kind":"bgt","text":"A facilitation process, not a change to the game's mechanics. Before play, the group agrees on every house rule it will use, voting on each, and writes the list where all can see.","good":"Cooperation and decision-making","suits":"Every game of Monopoly","watch":"One person's home rules winning by default. Vote on each.","ask":"How did we decide which rules to use?","players":"2 to 6 (Monopoly Classic)","status":"coming-soon","label":"Board Game Therapy™ house rule (not official)","url":"/guides/monopoly/","types":["luck","bluff"],"groups":["family","regulars"],"wants":["fairness","talking"],"c1":"#d9480f","c2":"#9a3412"},{"slug":"mysterium","game":"Mysterium","rule":"Facilitator ghost (role-selection policy)","kind":"bgt","text":"A facilitation adaptation, not a rule change. The facilitator, or an experienced volunteer, plays the ghost.","good":"Inclusion and protecting new players","suits":"Any group with new members; the book's main watch point","watch":"The facilitator steering through clue choice. Choose clues honestly.","ask":"What did you notice about the ghost's clues?","players":"Up to 7: one ghost and the psychics","status":"coming-soon","label":"Board Game Therapy™ house rule (not official)","url":"/guides/mysterium/","types":["coop"],"groups":["new"],"wants":["fairness","lesspressure"],"c1":"#0f8f84","c2":"#0b5f58"},{"slug":"pandemic","game":"Pandemic","rule":"Introductory difficulty","kind":"official","text":"Use the rulebook's introductory setup: 4 Epidemic cards placed by the official setup procedure, not simply shuffled into the deck.","good":"Introducing cooperation at the lowest published difficulty and making a first session more approachable","suits":"First games and groups sensitive to losing","watch":"Experienced players finding it too easy. Raise difficulty next time.","ask":"How did the level of challenge affect the way we planned, communicated, and responded to setbacks?","players":"2 to 4","status":"live","label":"Official variant (from the rulebook)","url":"/guides/pandemic/","types":["coop"],"groups":["new","family"],"wants":["teamwork","lesspressure"],"c1":"#0f8f84","c2":"#0b5f58"},{"slug":"quacks-of-quedlinburg","game":"The Quacks of Quedlinburg","rule":"Say it, then draw","kind":"bgt","text":"Starting after the fifth chip you place in a potion phase, pause before each further draw and choose “draw” or “stop,” silently or aloud. A quiet or nonverbal choice is fine if speaking would disrupt concentration. All standard ingredient effects and potion rules are unchanged.","good":"The pause between impulse and action","suits":"Groups working on slowing down a decision","watch":"Speaking choices aloud can add social pressure; keep the silent option visible.","ask":"What did the pause before each draw feel like?","players":"2 to 4","status":"coming-soon","label":"Board Game Therapy™ house rule (not official)","url":"/guides/quacks-of-quedlinburg/","types":["luck"],"groups":["regulars","family"],"wants":["talking","challenge"],"c1":"#d9480f","c2":"#9a3412"},{"slug":"sheriff-of-nottingham","game":"Sheriff of Nottingham","rule":"Honest first round","kind":"bgt","text":"During the first Sheriff round only, every merchant must declare exactly the type and quantity of legal goods packed. After that round, normal bluffing resumes.","good":"Building trust before bluffing","suits":"Any group new to the game","watch":"Players bored by it. Keep it to one Sheriff round.","ask":"What changed once bluffing was allowed?","players":"3 to 6 (2nd edition)","status":"live","label":"Board Game Therapy™ house rule (not official)","url":"/guides/sheriff-of-nottingham/","types":["bluff"],"groups":["new","regulars"],"wants":["fairness","talking"],"c1":"#d62839","c2":"#8a1520"},{"slug":"spirit-island","game":"Spirit Island","rule":"Official introductory setup","kind":"official","text":"The rulebook's recommended first-game setup, not a separate variant: low-complexity spirits with their Power Progression Cards; if everyone is new, the printed Blight space instead of a Blight Card; no adversary or scenario. Follow the rulebook for your edition.","good":"Learning with lower stakes","suits":"New groups","watch":"Experienced players finding it easy. Add an adversary later.","ask":"Did the lighter setup let you learn?","players":"1 to 4","status":"live","label":"Official variant (from the rulebook)","url":"/guides/spirit-island/","types":["coop"],"groups":["new"],"wants":["lesspressure","teamwork"],"c1":"#0f8f84","c2":"#0b5f58"}]}