1000 Blank White Cards
From Scratchpad
1000 Blank White Cards (Abbreviated 1KBWC or 10^3 BWC) is a game played by the Ship of Fools and members of the Purdue Improv Club as well as many others. This IS NOT an improv game, but a party game.
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[edit] Origins
1KBWC was invented by Nathan McQuillen of Madison, Wisconsin. Its origins do have a history in improv; it seems that some of the original players were in fact improvisationalists in Wisconsin.
[edit] Materials
To play this game, you will need:
- Many blank index cards (~12 per player)
- Pens and paper for playing/keeping score
And, if you have played before:
- A deck of favorite previously played formerly-blank cards
[edit] How To Play
Recommended number of players: 5-10
[edit] Deck Construction
Part A If you have played before, comb through the existing cards and select your favorites from previous games. Place these aside as part A of your game deck.
Part B Place several blank cards into the game deck as part B. As a general rule of thumb, 5 blank cards per player.
Part C Part C of the game deck is composed of cards made by players at the start of each new game. Distribute equal number of blank cards to each player (~5) and a pen to draw with. Instruct players to create new cards before the game.
[edit] Card Making
Each card MUST contain the following:
- A title (top)
This is a short description or name to identify the card. Puns encouraged.
- A picture (middle)
Some drawing must accompany the card. From stick figures to bas-relief, neo-cubist to impressionist, at the very least an attempt must be made.
- Text (bottom)
This describes the actions, result, and point value for the card. Pretty much anything goes here- you can start a mini-game, reverse the order of play, reshuffle the cards, add or subtract or invert point values, place restrictions on who, what, when, or where cards may or may not be played, and so on. May include a story, quote, joke, hidden inscription, or other type of instruction.
[edit] Gameplay
Note: the following describes House Rules for the Purdue Improv Club. Other variants may exist, even once the game begins.
After the game deck has been constructed (parts A, B, and C), shuffle thoroughly. Deal an equal number of starting cards to each player (5 is a good number to start with). Starting counterclockwise from the dealer, each player plays a card. Player reads the card and shows the table, and resolves any point or action as necessary according to the card's text. 1 card is played per turn (unless exceptions are made), and at the end of each turn, players draw up to the starting amount of cards in their hand. Play continues around the table until every card has been played.
If a blank card is dealt or drawn into the player's hand, they are to draw new cards as the game progresses during the down time during other's turns. Note: This is a chance for others to catch you off guard. A small amount of courtesy time may be given if the other players are charitable, otherwise- get it drawn on your own time.
Point values are typically integers from -1,000 to 1000. Needlessly complicated math (i.e. exponents, pi, or other irregularities) may be punishable according to the scorekeeper's whims. The "winner" at the end of the game is the person with the most points.
Rules may be changed at any time. Any card written may change any rule, basically. The cards may change the winning condition a race to a certain point value, or to try to get the "most negative" score.
For those who have played before you, please do not modify any obviously finished cards. Unfinished cards, however (for example, if a card switch happened while completing a new card) may be and are typically finished by the new owner.
Please make your rules as clear as possible. If a dispute occurs, players should default to the card's creator, who should explain the intent as clear as possible.
[edit] Costs
The game is monetarily cheap to play, but players may very well lose a good deal of dignity. There is no such thing as a free lunch.
[edit] Subgames
Often other games can be incorporated into 1KBWC. These include improv games and some others. The following games have been played inside of 1KBWC:
- 60 Second Alphabet
- Gay Chicken
- Staring Contests
- Speed Sorry! (A shortened, fast-paced game of Sorry!)
[edit] Memorable Cards
On many occurrences games of 1KBWC played by the Ship of Fools and Purdue Improv Club yielded memorable cards. These cards have a reputation of being awesome and/or both morally disturbing and socially awkward.
- Gay Chicken Tournament
- Nuclear Winter by John "Freshman/Tripod" Tubergen
- Pissed on by a Holy Man by Benji "Hallway" Milanowski
- Pi Proximity Mine by John "Cowboy" Clawson
