Overview

Contrario is a word-puzzle party game where well-known terms, expressions, and titles from diverse domains (music, cinema, literature, geography, history, etc.) have been twisted using synonyms, antonyms, and logically related words. Players race to decode the original expression from the altered version. Each Contrario comes with two clues to help.

Components

• 165 double-sided cards containing 1,320 Contrarios total
• Each card has the Contrario (blue text) and the Original Expression (red text)
• 2 clues per Contrario (genre/subject and Diamond hint)

Setup

1. Shuffle the Contrario cards and place them in a stack face-down.
2. Divide into teams or play individually.

Turn Structure

1. The reader begins reading the Contrario on the card and reads it aloud.
2. Players may decide among themselves how much time is allowed for guessing (typically 30 seconds to 1 minute).
3. If no one guesses within the first allowed time, the second clue can be read.
4. Players shout out their guesses.

Actions

• Each team or player who finds the original expression scores points.
• The number of points depends on the number of clues provided: players obtain 3 points for finding the original expression without needing a clue, or 2 points if they required a single clue, and only 1 point if they required both clues.
• Players may offer as many answers as they wish; there is no penalty for mistakes.
• Each player that finds the correct answer scores according to the “Object of the Game” on the printed rules.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

When the reader has read the eight Contrarios on the two sides of the card, the next player draws a card and begins the next round.

End of Game: Before beginning, players agree on one of the following ways to end:

1. Predetermined play time (i.e., 30 minutes)
2. Predetermined number of cards to be read
3. When one player reaches a target score (i.e., 100 points)

The player with the highest score at the end of the game wins.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• The game can be played casually without keeping score; it is just as fun.
• The level of difficulty between the Contrarios can vary significantly.
• The game exercises lateral thinking abilities. Some highly logical people may find it frustrating at times to struggle with this kind of thought process. Lucky practice makes perfect.
• Not suitable for children under 5 years.
• Some terms may have been physically altered (e.g., the term “servant” is closely related to “maid” which is phonetically similar to “made”).

Player Reference

Clues Used	Points
0 (no clues)	3 points
1 clue	2 points
2 clues	1 point

• 165 cards x 8 Contrarios per card = 1,320 total puzzles
• No penalty for wrong guesses
• Agree on end condition before starting