Joking Hazard Rules (Official)

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the joking hazard box

The Joking Hazard rules are your gateway to a world of dark humor and outrageous comic strips. Imagine a group of friends, each trying to outdo the others in crafting the most hilariously twisted scenarios.

This is the essence of Joking Hazard, a game that turns every player into a comic artist of sorts, challenging their creativity and sense of humor.

Ready to get started? This guide will have you playing—and laughing—in no time!

Table of Contents

Joking Hazard

Players: 3 – 10

Age: 18+

Game Time: 30 – 90 minutes

Game Components

Imagine you’re opening a box of treasures, but instead of gold and jewels, it’s filled with 360 cards, each a fragment of a potential comic masterpiece. These cards are the heart and soul of Joking Hazard.

  • 360 cards
  • Game instructions
the joking hazard cards

The variety of scenarios depicted on them ensures that the game never gets old.

Each card is a potential punchline or a setup, a piece of a puzzle that players will piece together in the most humorous way possible.

Game Setup

Setting up Joking Hazard is as easy as pie. Gather your friends, shuffle the deck, and deal out seven cards to each player. The rest of the deck forms the pool from which the comic’s story begins.

The setup is quick, but the anticipation of the hilarity that is about to ensue makes these moments special. As each player looks at their hand, they begin to imagine the possibilities, the jokes, and the comic strips they can create.

How to Play

The gameplay of Joking Hazard is where the magic happens. In each round, a different player becomes the judge, setting the stage by placing two cards to form the beginning of a comic strip.

The other players then select from their hand the card they think best completes the comic, aiming to appeal to the judge’s sense of humor. This is where strategy meets comedy.

joking hazard playing the game
Buy Joking Hazard on Amazon

Players must not only think about what is funny but also what the judge will find funny, a subtle but important distinction.

  1. Each player draws 7 cards. The rest are placed in the center of the table in a pile facedown.
  2. The first judge is chosen by the players.
  3. Draw the top card from the center pile and turn it face up to form the starter panel.
  4. If the card has a black border it is a regular round and the judge then places a black-bordered card from their own hand on either side of the first card to create a two-panel setup ready for other players to finish.
  5. Every other player (except for the judge) chooses their favorite card to create a three-panel strip and places it facedown.
  6. The judge turns each card over and reads the comic aloud and then picks their favorite.
  7. The winning card the judge picks is returned to the player and placed face-up to record the scores. The player to the judge’s left becomes the judge for the next round.

Understanding Red Cards

If the Judge draws a card with a red border from the draw pile (see step 4 above) then it’s a bonus round with different gameplay.

  1. Everyone (except for the judge) chooses their best two starting cards and places them facedown
  2. The judge then flips each set of two cards over, reading them aloud, including the third card originally drawn by the judge.
  3. The judge picks their favorite set, with the winning cards returned to their owner as per step 7 above.

Alternative Rules for Joking Hazard

One of the best aspects of Joking Hazard is its flexibility. Players are encouraged to introduce their own house rules to keep the game fresh. Some groups might decide to create longer comic strips, while others might add elements of role-playing or storytelling.

The game is a canvas, and the players are the artists, free to paint their comic stories in whatever way they see fit. This adaptability makes Joking Hazard a game that never gets old.

Joking Hazard Expansions

There are 6 expansions available to buy. The first 3 expansion packs contain 100 more cards each to add to the original pack.

There are also 3 themed card expansion packs which each contain 50 cards to add to the original game.

  • Stroking Hazard (adult-themed)
  • Blast From The Past (history related)
  • Toking Hazard
Expansion Pack #1joking hazard expansion pack 1Buy on Amazon
Expansion Pack #2joking hazard expansion pack 2Buy on Amazon
Expansion Pack #3joking hazard expansion pack 3Buy on Amazon
Stroking Hazardstroking hazard expansionBuy on Amazon
Blast From The Pastblast from the past expansion packOnly available on
Explosm website

Analyzing Joking Hazard’s Appeal

What makes Joking Hazard so appealing is its blend of simplicity and depth. On the surface, it’s a straightforward card game, but beneath that lies a complex interplay of humor, strategy, and social dynamics.

Each game is a reflection of the players’ personalities and their sense of humor. The game tests not just your ability to be funny, but also your understanding of what makes your friends laugh. It’s this social aspect that elevates Joking Hazard from a mere game to a memorable experience.

Final Thoughts

Now that you are familiar with the Joking Hazard rules, you can see why it’s earned its place in the pantheon of great party games through its unique combination of creativity, simplicity, and humor. It’s a game that is easy to learn but offers endless possibilities for laughter and enjoyment.

Whether you’re a seasoned comedian or someone who enjoys a good laugh, Joking Hazard is a game that promises a fun, engaging, and hilariously good time.

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