Absolute Fun! (Absolute Balderdash)

Member Name: maths_babe

Product:	Absolute Balderdash
Date:	15/06/09 (27 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: hilarious, can learn fun facts, simple game play

Disadvantages: Might be difficult for those with dyslexia or similar

Absolute Balderdash is one of my favourite boardgames of all time. The idea is this: there are different categories; definitions, acronyms, people, laws, special days. If it's your go and you're on the definitions square, you have to read out the word on the card, and write down (secretly) on a square of paper (provided) the correct definition of this word, which is on the card. Everyone else, meanwhile, must invent their own definition for this word, and write it down on their squares of paper. I should point out that these words are completely obscure and there is an extremely low chance that you will have ever heard it before. Then everyone gives their pieces of paper to you, and you shuffle them, including the correct definition. You then read them out one at a time, and then go around the table asking everyone which they think the correct definition is. People score points for other people thinking their definition was the real one, for guessing correctly which one was real, and for writing a definition which was similar to the correct one (this hardly ever happens).

With acronyms, instead of a word it's an acronym (initials), and you have to make up what it could stand for.

With people, it's a person's name and you have to make up their accomplishment (e.g. they were the first person to x).

With laws, you have to finish the sentence given which is something like: In Ontario, it is illegal to carry/eat/dance/insert verb here...

With dates, you have to make up why that day is special, like, it's national something day, or it was the day when something first somethinged.

In older versions of Balderdash, instead of dates we have films, which in my opinion is the best category ever, but was perhaps removed because it is so hard. You get given the title of a film (a real film, but never one anyone has heard of), and you have to make up and write down a brief summary of the plot. If children are playing, I can imagine this being quite hard, but with a group of adults it can be hilarious.

This game is amazing because you really have to be creative, but often when the things you make up are absolutely awful and obviously made up, it can be even funnier! What's also great, is that you learn loads of random facts and you gain a whole new crazy vocabulary.

I've played this game many times with two different families and it always involves much laughter. It doesn't get too competitive, so definitely no board-tipping tantrums, which makes a change for me!

If you want to buy one board game to take with you on your summer holiday, make it this one!

Summary: My favourite board game ever! Hilarious!