The rules, step by step
- One letter is drawn. Every answer you write has to start with it.
- “A”, “an” and “the” don’t count as the first word.
- Fill in as many of the categories as you can before the clock runs out.
- Match somebody else’s answer and you both score nothing. Be strange.
- The table can challenge anything that smells wrong, then votes on it.
- A point per answer left standing.
Scoring and the fiddly bits
Scoring
One point per answer left standing. No length bonus, no bonus for a full list — being the only person who wrote it is the entire prize.
Nobody sees your list
While the clock runs your phone holds your answers and nobody else’s. Everything becomes public in one go when the writing closes.
Three ways to lose a row
Wrong letter, matched by somebody else, or voted down after a challenge. The first two are worked out for you before anyone argues.
Ties favour the author
A challenge needs more strike votes than allow votes to land. The burden sits with whoever raised the doubt.
Set before the letter
Rounds, list length — eight, ten or twelve categories — and the writing clock are all host settings, fixed before the first letter appears.
Questions about Category Rush
Is Category Rush free?
Yes. Every game on Table Party is free, with no accounts, no adverts and nothing to buy.
How many people do you need for Category Rush?
Between 2 and 12. Below 2 there are not enough of you for the game to work.
Do we need to download anything?
No. One person opens the site and starts a room; everybody else joins by typing the room code on their own phone. Nothing to install, nothing to sign up for.
Can we play Category Rush over a video call?
Yes. Share the room code in the chat and play with the call running — everything private stays on each player’s own phone.
Play Category Rush online
Free, in the browser, with everyone on their own phone.