Overview

30 Seconds is a fast-paced team party game where players describe well-known names, places, and things to their teammates within a 30-second time limit. Teams race around a board, advancing by correctly guessing the names being described. The die roll determines a handicap subtracted from correct answers, adding a push-your-luck element. The first team to reach the FINISH square wins.

Components

• 240 Cards (2,400 names total — 5 names per side, 2 sides per card)
• 1 Game Board
• 1 Thirty-Second Timer (sand timer)
• 1 Die (faces: 0, 0, 1, 1, 2, 2)
• 4 Playing Tokens

Setup

1. Teams select tokens and place them on the START square.
2. Each team rolls the die — highest roll goes first.
3. Within each team, establish a consistent turn order for who describes each round.

Turn Structure

1. Roll the die — the number shown will be subtracted from correct guesses.
2. Draw a card — the describer looks at the 5 names on the appropriate side (blue or yellow, matching the square color their token is on).
3. Flip the timer — the describer has 30 seconds to describe all 5 names.
4. Describe and guess — the describer gives clues while teammates guess.
5. Score — subtract the die roll from the number of correctly guessed names. Move the token that many squares forward.

Example: Roll a 2, guess 4 names correctly → move forward 2 squares (4 - 2 = 2).

Actions

Describing Rules (Allowed)

• Sing or hum
• Gesture
• Use the words “and” and “the”
• Describe names in any order
• Give contextual clues about the name

Describing Rules (Prohibited)

• Say the actual name or any part of it
• Use rhyming clues (“sounds like…”)
• Mention individual letters or spell anything
• Translate names into another language
• Point at objects in the room

Guessing Rules

• Teammates may use alphabet references to narrow down answers
• There is no penalty for incorrect guesses during the 30-second window

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Movement: Correct guesses minus die roll = squares moved forward.

Minimum movement: If the die roll equals or exceeds correct guesses, the team does not move (no negative movement, except for rule violations).

Winning: The first team to reach or pass the FINISH square wins.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Card Sides: Cards have blue and yellow sides. Use the side matching the color of the square your token currently occupies.
• Three Players: When playing with only 3 players, 1 person acts as the describer for both teams (alternating which team guesses).
• Rule Violations: If a describer breaks a rule (says a name, rhymes, etc.), the team moves back 1 square as a penalty.
• Die Values: The die has only 0, 1, and 2 (each appears twice), so the handicap is always small.
• No actions = no move: If a team guesses 0 names, they don’t move regardless of the die roll.

Player Reference

Turn Quick Reference:

1. Roll die (0/1/2)
2. Draw card (blue or yellow side)
3. Flip 30-second timer
4. Describe 5 names
5. Move: correct guesses minus die roll

Die Distribution: 0, 0, 1, 1, 2, 2

Card Layout: 5 names per side, 2 sides per card, 240 cards = 2,400 total names

Team Sizes: Works best with 4+ players in teams of 2+. Minimum 3 players with special 3-player rule.