How it plays
Each card shows a group of letters such as TRA, AL or ENT. In the edition reviewed, a die decides where the group may appear in the word: anywhere, not at the start, or not at the end. Then the bomb starts ticking, and nobody knows for how long. Whoever holds it names a fitting word that has not yet been used in this round and passes the bomb on. Whoever is holding it when it goes off takes the card. The game ends with the 13th card taken; whoever has the fewest cards wins.
What it can help develop
Players search for words by their letters, not by their meaning, a task related to tests of letter fluency. This calls for word retrieval and, because nobody knows when the bomb will go off, processing speed. The die rule of the edition reviewed calls for impulse control. The first word that comes to mind sometimes does not fit: “tradition” does not count if TRA may not come at the start. Along the way, working memory keeps track of which words have already been used.
Especially suitable for
- Articulate children from age 8 and adults
- Large groups of up to twelve people
- Loud, fun party sessions
Less suitable for
- Children under 8: there is a junior edition for them
- People who freeze under time pressure or avoid noise
Our verdict
Pass the Bomb is a worthwhile choice for children from age 8 and adults with a feel for words who enjoy loud party sessions. The simple basic idea and the ticking bomb provide pace, and in 1998 it received the As d’Or as a family game in France under the title “Tic Tac Boum”. Its limitations are noise and time pressure, which block some players; for children under 8 there is a junior edition.
Getting started
- Do not rely on a word prepared in advance. According to one review, it has often already been said, and words already used in the round do not count a second time.
- Keep in mind that the time until the bomb goes off differs in every round and cannot be estimated. So it pays to name a fitting word at once and pass the bomb on.
In detail
Variants and player count
According to the publisher, the German-language edition from Piatnik is intended for 2 to 12 people from age 12 and contains a ticking timer in the shape of a bomb. The English edition sold in the UK is recommended from age 8. In the German-language edition, a special die with three results determines where the letter group on the card must appear in the word: not at the start, anywhere, or not at the end. According to the rules, proper nouns, brand names, slang and common foreign words are allowed; any restrictions are agreed before the game starts. According to the Piatnik magazine, how long the bomb ticks changes from round to round; players never know how much time is left. According to Piatnik, there is a junior edition for children from age 5, with picture cards instead of letter groups.
What reviewers say
In the Salzburger Nachrichten, Peter and Birgit Költringer call the game hectic and loud: words are called out, and the word a player has prepared has often already been said. According to the review, it is great fun, but it is doubtful whether a mock bomb makes sense as a piece of play equipment. Spieletest.at calls it a funny party game with a simple principle in which the ticking bomb puts players under pressure. The BoardGameGeek user Jr85brdgeek sees fun or tears in the mix of word game and stressful timer with changing duration, depending on the children’s age. In France, “Tic Tac Boum” by Juan Rodriguez and Sylvie Barc received the As d’Or in the family game category in 1998.
How it compares
Taboo (from age 13, 4 or more people, about 45 minutes), like Pass the Bomb, calls for word retrieval and impulse control, plus cognitive flexibility. Taboo suits family gatherings and parties with four or more people, but is less suited to shy people who dislike being the centre of attention. Scrabble Original (from age 10, 2 to 4 people, about 50 to 90 minutes) shares word retrieval with Pass the Bomb but also calls for planning ahead and mental arithmetic. Pass the Bomb suits large, loud party groups of up to twelve people and players from age 8; anyone who freezes under time pressure or avoids noise is less well served by it.
Sources
- Piatnik: Tick Tack Bumm (publisher’s page, in German)
- Piatnik: rules (PDF)
- Piatnik magazine: Tick Tack Bumm (in German)
- Wikipedia (French): As d’Or
- Wikipedia (French): Tic Tac Boum
- Luding: review by the Költringers (Salzburger Nachrichten, in German)
- spieletest.at: review (in German)
- BoardGameGeek: comment
- Piatnik: Tick Tack Bumm Junior (publisher’s page, in German)
Frequently asked questions
What age is Pass the Bomb suitable for?
The recommended minimum age is 8. Children who quickly find words for letter groups and cope well with noise and time pressure are ready. For younger children there is a junior edition, with picture cards instead of groups of letters.
How long does a game take and how many people can play?
A game takes about 30 minutes. The game is for 2 to 12 people, who play against each other. The game ends as soon as the 13th card is taken, and whoever then has the fewest cards wins.
What skills can Pass the Bomb help develop?
It can help develop language as well as perception and speed. For a letter group such as TRA or ENT, a fitting word is needed quickly, regardless of its meaning. Since the bomb can go off at any moment, every second counts.
Is the game noisy and hectic?
Yes. Reviews describe it as hectic and noisy, because words are called out and the ticking bomb puts players under pressure. One user comment notes that, depending on their age, children can also end up in tears.
