Overview

Guesstures is a fast-paced charades party game where players act out words before a timer (the Mimer-Timer) swallows their cards. Teams compete over two scenes, with each actor choosing which words to perform based on their point value. The team with the most points after both scenes wins.

Components

• 504 cards with card box
• 1 Mimer-Timer game unit
• 2 label sheets
• 1 crayon

Setup

1. Apply labels to the Mimer-Timer as shown in the instructions.
2. Divide players evenly into 2 teams (one extra player on a team is fine).
3. Fill in team names on the sides of the Mimer-Timer using the crayon and CAST/SCENE labels.

Turn Structure

The game is played in 2 rounds of play called “Scenes.”

Scene Setup

1. Play the blue card deck in Scene 1 and the red card deck in Scene 2.
2. Decide which team goes first. The first team chooses an Actor.

Actor’s Turn

1. Draw and Place Cards: Draw the first 4 blue cards from the box. Look at your cards and decide which words to act out. You may select any combination of 1-point and 3-point words (two 1-point words and two 3-point words, etc.). 3-point words are harder but worth more.
2. IMPORTANT: Use the Easy-Hard indicator when placing cards. The card closest to “Easy” will be swallowed up first. Place your easiest words first so teammates can guess them faster.
3. Close the Mimer-Timer: Close the Mimer-Timer’s arm, pushing down carefully on the cards.
4. Start Acting! Act out the words starting from Easy to Hard. Do NOT use words. Rules for Guessturing: “type” and “size” are acceptable. See rules for full restrictions.
5. Teammates Guess: The opposing team does not guess. Only your team guesses. As soon as a teammate shouts the correct word, quickly grab the card from the Mimer-Timer before it gets swallowed.
6. If the card is swallowed: You cannot score it.

Scoring

• After all cards have been acted out or swallowed, add point values of grabbed cards under your team’s Scene score on the Mimer-Timer.
• Maximum possible score per turn: 1 + 1 + 3 + 3 = 8 points, but could reach 10 if you play Scene 2 the same way.

Alternating Turns

Teams alternate. Each team member gets to be an Actor during each Scene.

Actions

Acting Rules

1. No sounds allowed.
2. Props or other “visual aids” are allowed.
3. Mouthing words is permissible (O.K.).
4. Feel free to use classic charades techniques (such as pulling ear for “sounds like,” holding up fingers for syllables, etc.). However, these techniques are time-consuming and may work against you.

Scoring a Card

• Your score is 1 for “airplane,” “type,” and “size.” Your score is 3 for more difficult words.
• Each card shows its point value.
• Only cards physically grabbed before being swallowed count.

Scoring / Victory Conditions

After both teams have completed Scenes 1 and 2:

• Total the points from both scenes for each team.
• The team with the most total points wins.
• Clean the scoring surface by rubbing gently with a soft cloth.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• In most cases, forms of each word are acceptable. Example: “explosion” for “explode” is O.K. Saying “glasses” for “sunglasses” is not O.K.
• Scene 2: Play Scene 2 the same way as Scene 1, using the red card deck (2 and 4-point words). Enter each team’s score next to “Scene 2” on the Mimer-Timer.
• Fun Alternative: Instead of dividing into teams, take turns being Actors while the rest of the players all shout out their guesses.
• If one team has one more player, that team chooses an Actor for 2 turns.
• Alternate teams until all players have had a chance to act in both Scenes.

Player Reference

Scene	Card Deck	Point Values
Scene 1	Blue	1 and 3 points
Scene 2	Red	2 and 4 points

Cards per turn: 4

Key rule: Grab the card BEFORE the Mimer-Timer swallows it to score

No talking: Only physical acting and mouthing allowed