Rule of Thumb is a fast-moving team-building game about personal preferences and predicting the group. Choose between two options, then decide whether your side will be the popular choice or the underdog.
Players: 5–20
Time: About 20 minutes
Format: In person, hybrid, or remote (this works especially well on Zoom!)
Style: Competitive
Video Tutorial
Equipment Needed
- A printout of these rules
Setup
Choose a Chief Fun Officer to read the prompts, count the votes, and track points.
Before starting, decide how many rounds to play.
How to Play
The Chief Fun Officer reads a prompt containing two options.
For example:
Pizza or tacos?
Each player secretly decides:
- Which option they prefer.
- Whether they think their side will receive more or fewer votes.
When everyone is ready, the Chief Fun Officer counts down:
“Three, two, one, vote!”
Everyone reveals both decisions at the same time:
- Raise your left hand for the first option.
- Raise your right hand for the second option.
- Give a thumbs up if you think your side will be the majority.
- Give a thumbs down if you think your side will be the minority.
Keep your hand raised while the Chief Fun Officer counts the votes.
Scoring
Score 1 point if you correctly predicted whether your side was the majority or minority.
- Players on the majority side score with a thumbs up.
- Players on the minority side score with a thumbs down.
- All other players score no points.
Ties
If both options receive the same number of votes, players who gave a thumbs down on either side score 1 point.
Discuss the Results
After scoring, invite a few players to explain:
- Why they chose their side.
- Why they expected it to be the majority or minority.
Keep the conversation brief, then move to the next prompt.
Winning
After the final round, the player with the most points wins.
PROMPTS
Nature & Outdoors
- Beach / Mountains
- Summer / Winter
- Sunrise / Sunset
- Ocean / Lake
- Rain / Snow
- Mountains / Desert
- Tropical / Snowy
- Camping / Luxury Resort
- Pool / Ocean
- Cabin / Beach House
Travel
- Road Trip / Fly
- Hotel / Airbnb
- Cruise / Road Trip
- National Park / Theme Park
- Big City Vacation / Small Town Vacation
- Guided Tour / Explore Yourself
- Carry-On / Checked Bag
- Window Seat / Aisle Seat
- Window / Middle Seat
Food & Drink
- Coffee / Tea
- Sweet / Salty
- Pizza / Tacos
- Pancakes / Waffles
- Ice Cream / Cake
- Chocolate / Vanilla
- French Fries / Onion Rings
- Burgers / Hot Dogs
- Soup / Salad
- Ketchup / Mustard
- Spicy / Mild
- Crunchy Peanut Butter / Creamy Peanut Butter
- Steak / Seafood
- Pasta / Rice
- Mexican / Italian
- Breakfast for Dinner / Dinner for Breakfast
- Pie / Cake
- Chips / Popcorn
- Coffee Shop / Bar
- Beer / Wine
Technology
- Apple / Android
- Mac / PC
- iPhone / Samsung
- Netflix / YouTube
- Email / Chat
- Keyboard / Handwriting
- Music / Podcasts
- E-book / Paper Book
- Paper Calendar / Digital Calendar
Work
- Zoom / In Person
- Remote Work / Office
- Email / Phone Call
- Brainstorming / Solo Work
- Standing Desk / Sitting Desk
- Notebook / Laptop
- Camera On / Camera Off
- Slack / Email
- Flexible Hours / 9 to 5
- Start Early / Stay Late
- Quiet Office / Busy Office
- Work Alone / Work on a Team
Entertainment
- Books / Movies
- Board Games / Video Games
- Fiction / Nonfiction
- Comedy / Drama
- Action / Comedy
- Comedy / Horror
- Marvel / Star Wars
- Live Music / DJ
- Concert / Sporting Event
- Movie Theater / Home Theater
- TV Series / Movies
- Trivia Night / Karaoke
- Escape Room / Mini Golf
- Museum / Zoo
- Crossword / Sudoku
Personality & Habits
- Morning / Night
- Introvert / Extrovert
- Plan Ahead / Wing It
- Early Bird / Night Owl
- Spend / Save
- Risk It / Play It Safe
- Lead / Follow
- Big Party / Small Gathering
- Stay In / Go Out
- Cook / Order Takeout
- Clean as You Go / Big Cleanup Later
- Ask for Directions / Figure It Out Yourself
- Call First / Just Show Up
- Drive / Walk
- Cash / Credit Card
Social
- Dogs / Cats
- Text / Phone Call
- Handshake / Hug
- Dress Up / Dress Casual
- Sneakers / Sandals
- Shower Morning / Shower Night
- Surprise Party / Planned Party
- Decorate for Holidays / Don’t Decorate
Places
City / Country
