These rules apply to the original Watch Ya’ Mouth as well as the Ultimate Editions. The only difference between the different versions are the cards and the Ultimate Editions have four categories which aren’t present in the original versions of the game.
Are you looking for a specific Watch Ya’ Mouth rule? | Setup | Playing the Game | Head-to-Head | Scoring | Winning the Game | FAQ | Components |
Objective
The objective of Watch Ya’ Mouth is to have your team score more points than the other team by deciphering what the reader is trying to say while wearing a mouthpiece.
Setup
- The players should divide into teams. How the teams are divided up depends on the version of Watch Ya’ Mouth you are playing:
- For the original version of the game players should divide into teams of two. If there are an odd number of players, one team can have three players.
- In the Ultimate Edition the players should divide into two teams. If there are an odd number of players, one team can have an extra player.
- Shuffle all of the cards together. Place the cards face down on the table.
- Place the timer where all of the players can reach it.
- Each player should take a mouthpiece which they will use during the game. You should wash all of the mouthpieces before you play the game. You can wash them with soap and hot water, boil them for 3 minutes, or put them in a dishwasher in the top rack or utensil tray.
- The player that has gone the longest without brushing their teeth starts the game as the first Reader.
How to Play Watch Ya’ Mouth
The current Reader places their mouthpiece in their mouth. When the player is ready the timer is turned over.
The Reader draws the top card from the deck. They will read the phrase out loud so all of the players can hear them. This will be easier said than done since the mouthpiece makes it harder to clearly read the phrase. They can read out the phrase however they want. They can keep repeating the phrase.
The original version of Watch Ya’ Mouth has two different ways that you can play the game. First you can make it where the reader can only read what is printed on the card. Otherwise you can play where the reader can use general gestures, sounds, and other references. They may not draw, write or illustrate though. The players have to decide which of the two ways they would like to play the game.
While the Reader says the phrase, their teammates try to repeat the phrase. They can make as many attempts as they want to try and get the phrase. They must repeat the phrase exactly as it is printed on the card. The other team can look at the card to verify that the phrase was said correctly.
When the Reader’s teammates successfully guess the phrase, the Reader sets the card aside and draws a new card. They will now try to get their teammates to guess this new phrase. They will keep trying to get their teammates to guess new phrases until the timer runs out.
Should you draw a Head-to-Head card, the current turn pauses to play a Head-to-Head round. See the corresponding section below for more details.
If a team is having trouble with a card, they cannot pass on it unless it is a “Bonus” card. Otherwise they need to keep trying to guess the phrase on the card.
Head-to-Head
Head-to-Head cards are only present in the Ultimate Editions of Watch Ya’ Mouth.
When a Head-to-Head card is drawn, the current turn is paused.
The current Reader picks a player from the other team to compete against. The player they chose puts in their mouthpiece. The Reader chooses one of the three phrases from the card. Both players then try to say the phrase to their teammates at the same time. The first team to get the phrase correct wins the Head-to-Head. There is no timer for this faceoff. It will continue until one of the teams correctly guess the phrase.
If the Reader that drew the Head-to-Head card wins the faceoff, they will continue their turn by restarting the timer. They will score one point for the Head-to-Head card along with the rest of the cards they get their teammates to guess.
If the other team wins the faceoff, they will get a point for the card. The current team’s turn ends immediately with the team that won the Head-to-Head taking their next turn.
Scoring
When the timer runs out, the Reader stops reading phrases. The players then figure out how many phrases they correctly guessed during the current turn. Each normal card that the players guessed are worth one point each. Each Bonus card that the players guessed are worth two points each.
After the score is recorded, the other team gets to take their turn. The players will rotate being the Reader so every takes on the role the same number of times.
Winning Watch Ya’ Mouth
Depending on which version of the game you are playing, you will play a different number of rounds.
In the original version of the game, you will play a total of four rounds. Each round consists of one player from each team playing as the Reader. In the next round the other player becomes the Reader. Basically each player gets to be the Reader twice during the game.
In the Ultimate Edition, you will keep playing until each player has had one opportunity to play as the Reader.
The teams compare their scores. The team that scored the most points wins the game.
If there is a tie, the tied teams will play another round. This will continue until one team has scored more points. That team wins the game.
Watch Ya’ Mouth FAQ
If you have any questions about how to play the game, leave a comment below on this post. I will try to answer any questions asked as best and as quickly as possible.
Components
Original Edition
- 10 Mouthpieces (6 large, 4 small)
- 143 Cards
- Timer (60 seconds)
- Instructions
Ultimate Edition 2.0
- 200 Phrase Cards
- 10 Mouthpieces
- Timer (30 seconds)
- Instructions
Year: 2016 | Publisher: Buffalo Games, Skyler Imagination
Genres: Family, Party
Ages: 8+ | Number of Players: 3-10 | Length of Game: 15-30 minutes
Difficulty: Light | Strategy: Light | Luck: Moderate
For more board and card game rules/how to plays, check out our complete alphabetical list of card and board game rules posts.