How it plays
The player to the right of the active player reads out a task, for example to name 3 cities that begin with M. The reader then turns the spiral timer over: its balls take five seconds to reach the bottom. Anyone who fails passes the same task on, and nobody may repeat answers that have already been given. The group votes on disputed answers. In the German edition reviewed, three suitable answers move the player’s piece forward one space, and special cards allow players to pass a task on or swap it. In that edition, whoever reaches the finish space first wins.
What it can help develop
The game resembles the verbal fluency tasks used in neuropsychological tests: retrieving words that fit a category at lightning speed. This means word retrieval and processing speed under time pressure. When the question moves on, inhibition comes into play: the answers just heard spring to mind but are forbidden. Players therefore have to keep them in working memory and suppress them at the same time. In the German edition reviewed, the only tactics lie in using the special cards. And anyone who cannot get an answer out despite knowing it practises dealing with nervousness.
Especially suitable for
- Talkative children from age 8
- Family gatherings and mixed groups with guests
- Impromptu games: few rules, quick to explain
Less suitable for
- Children who quickly freeze under time pressure
- Players looking for tactics and depth
Our verdict
The game 5 Second Rule is a fast party game for family gatherings where guests join in too, and for children from age 8 who like to talk. The rules can be explained in a few minutes, and the time pressure turns even easy questions into a challenge. Its limitations are the widely varying difficulty of the cards and a replay value that a board game magazine describes as low. Players who fall silent under pressure or want tactics are unlikely to enjoy it.
Getting started
- Show the rule with a sample task: three suitable answers are needed before the timer’s balls reach the bottom.
- Say beforehand that after a failed attempt the same task moves on and nobody may repeat what has already been said; that way, everyone listens carefully.
- If your edition has special cards, use them deliberately on questions that do not suit you, because they are the only place where the game has any tactics.
In detail
Variants and player count
According to Megableu, the German edition reviewed contains 376 cards with 752 questions and a marble timer. In that edition, the player to the right reads out a task, for example “Nenne 3…” (name 3…), and turns the spiral timer over; three answers within five seconds move the player’s piece forward one space. Whoever is next may not repeat the previous player’s answers. According to Wikipedia, the game was first published in 2010 in the USA as 5 Second Rule by Patch Products; German editions followed in 2012 from Moses and in 2016 from Megableu.
What reviewers say
spieletest.at (2020) writes that stress makes even the simplest questions difficult. According to spieletest.at, the spiral timer is an amusing alternative to the sand timer, the difficulty of the cards varies greatly, and some tasks allow the same answers. Cliquenabend, reviewing the 2016 edition from Huch!, calls the questions easy without time pressure and hard with five seconds, the rules few and the game suitable for casual players. Cliquenabend criticises the low replay value as well as cheap playing pieces and very thin cards. Wikipedia lists no awards.
How it compares
Speedy Words (from age 8, 2 to 6 people, about 10 minutes) shares the age and the skill areas of language as well as perception and speed with 5 Second Rule. Like 5 Second Rule, Speedy Words calls for word retrieval and processing speed, and it adds impulse control; it is less suitable when speeds differ widely, for example adults against eight-year-olds. Dixit (from age 8, 3 to 8 people, about 30 minutes) shares the age and the skill area of language with 5 Second Rule, but relies on cooperation instead of perception and speed. Dixit suits relaxed family evenings for people who feel like talking, and is less suited to groups looking for fierce competition and tactics. The game 5 Second Rule (from age 8, 3 to 6 people, about 20 minutes) suits talkative children from age 8, family celebrations and spontaneous games with few rules. Children who quickly freeze under time pressure, and anyone looking for tactics and depth, are less well served by 5 Second Rule.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What age is 5 Second Rule suitable for?
The game 5 Second Rule is recommended from age 8. A child is ready when they like talking, can quickly find words for a category and do not fall silent under time pressure. Some questions may be too difficult for younger children.
How long does a game take and how many people can play?
A game takes about 20 minutes. The game is for 3 to 6 people, who play against each other. The player whose turn it is needs three suitable answers in five seconds; in the German edition reviewed, whoever reaches the finish first wins.
What skills can 5 Second Rule help develop?
The skills profile lists language as well as perception and speed. For example, players need three cities beginning with M in five seconds. They also have to remember what has already been said, because it must not be repeated.
Does a child need to be able to read?
Not to answer: the task is read out by the player to the right of the person whose turn it is. Whoever reads aloud, however, must be able to read the cards.
