5 Second Rule Game Rules: How To Play and Other FAQ

To be honest, the first thing I think of when I hear “5 second rule” is the rule about food.

It’s the concept we had as kids that if we drop a piece of food on the ground and wanted to eat it anyway, five seconds is not long enough to obtain germs and therefore, it’s okay to eat it anyway.

I don’t think it applied to vegetables.

However, my adult memory questioned itself and I went down an internet wormhole. Was it 5 seconds? Is that a thing?

Apparently, there’s a 5 second rule in psychology that involves urges, goals and movement. There’s a 5 second rule for anxiety, one for success, one for anxiety.

But of course, the 5 Second Rule is also a game. And a pretty fun and simple one at that.

This party game is a fun way to test your general knowledge and quick thinking skills.

The card game is very simple. Simply gather some friends, read a prompt, quickly name the first three things that come to mind and see who the fastest thinker really is.

How many people can play 5 Second Rule?

Like most party games, 5 Second Rule can be played with three or more players. It’s a very simple game to play.

The uncensored version (like the one I own) is rated for ages 17 and up, but the generic version can play anyone from younger kids to grandparents, making it a fun game for just about any age group.

The game comes with 150 two-sided cards, a 5-second timer and a rulebook.

The unique twisted timer has “fun zoop sound effects” … which mean nothing. If you lose the timer, simply use your phone instead.

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5 Second Rule game rules

The question cards will generally contain a very simple question. Really, it’s more of a command.

Each card will say, “Name 3…” and then say something like:

… famous Michaels

… hairy things

… famous bald people

I have the uncensored version of the game, so a few examples include:

… things that are no good dry

… places monsters hide

… foods or drinks that make your urine stink

As you can imagine, the ridiculous answers can be quite hilarious with the uncensored version, if you have the right crowd.

How to play 5 Second Rule

First, place the cards and the timer on the table where everyone can reach them.

Then, determine how many rounds you will be playing. The game recommends two or three rounds for larger groups.

If you do not have a large number of players, you could go for four or five rounds. As with most games like this one, you can generally play everyone is tired. Just make sure everyone gets at least one turn.

The rulebook does not seem to specify who goes first, so I usually either pick the oldest player or the owner of the game. The latter can be the safer option.

The first person to take a turn is considered to be in the hot seat. The person to the left of that player picks a card and reads the prompt. They will flip the timer as soon as they are finished reading the card.

The person in the hot seat must name three valid answers in five seconds.

What if a person cannot name 3 things?

If the player in the hot seat isn’t able to name three valid answers when the metal balls reach the bottom of the timer, (when 5 seconds are up), they gain no points.

Then, play moves to the right. The next player gets 5 seconds to answer the same question. However, they cannot use any of the same answers that were previously used for that prompt. That’s the tricky part.

Continue on that same card until a player successfully names three items. Only switch cards when a player says three valid answers within the time limit. If the card reaches the original player, that player gets a point by default.

Finally, the person to the right of the original player takes a turn in the hot seat with a new card. The player who reads the card also rotates. Play continues.

The end of the game

The main objective is to gain the most points and demonstrate quick thinking in order to get there.

At the end of your pre-determined number of rounds, count up your points. Each card is worth one point. The player with the most points wins.

In the case of a tie, play a tie-breaking round. The first player in the tie-breaker should be the oldest player, according to the rulebook.

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Questionable answers in the 5 Second Rule game

If there’s any doubt on the validity of an answer, or whether or not an answer was legal in the 5 Second Rule Game, the game refers to these as “offenders”.

The group, as a whole, decides if the answer is acceptable or not.

Take it to a vote, and if you must, you can look up the definition online and debate it out. You may want to put a timer on this as well.

Can you play the 5 Second Rule in teams?

Yes, the rulebook also suggests playing as partners in 2-person teams. It also says not to shout over each other, so I take that to mean they play in a team simultaneously.

Personally, I think you could also easily make your own rules here and play in teams but take turns. For example, you could take separate turns but collect points as a team.

If you have a lot of people, you could even break it off into two main groups, boys against girls, etc. Rules for most party are easily adaptable to fit your needs, in my opinion.

5 Second Rule game versions and expansions

If you love this game, there are several variations out there for you.

For example, there’s also 5 Second Rule Junior (for younger players), 5 Second Rule Uncensored (for a mature crowd) and the original game of 5 Second Rule.

Additionally, 5 Second Rule Disney and 5 Second Rule Spintensity are also on Amazon. The latter sounds like it mostly involves more timer shenanigans.

The games range from $15-20 at the time of this writing.

Is the game worth it? Overall, it’s good fun and makes for a solid game for a light game night. It can also be a starter game for regular game nights.

Have you played this game? Did you like it? Let me know in the comments below.