TapWords

    Goal: Give a valid word or proper noun that fits the category and starts with an unused letter — before the hidden timer runs out.

    How to Play

    1. Get the Category
       The AI gives one category for the round.
       Example: “Things you might step on,” “Stuff you find in the fridge,” “Famous places,” “Fantasy creatures,” etc.
       Categories are endless and always fresh.
    2. Turn Order
       Players take turns clockwise.
       On your turn, you must give one valid answer that:
      • Fits the category
      • Starts with a letter that hasn’t been used yet
      • Is a real word or proper noun (fictional names allowed if everyone agrees they’re recognizable)
    3. Once used, a letter becomes locked out for the entire round.
    4. Hidden Timer
       Each turn has a secret 5–7 second timer (exact timing varies randomly).
       Players cannot see the countdown.
       They only get a brief warning beep when it ends.
       If you fail to answer before the timer expires → you are eliminated from the round.
    5. Mistakes & Self-Correction
       If you say an invalid answer (wrong letter, doesn’t fit category, nonsense), you may fix it immediately as long as the hidden timer has not expired. If you have clicked a letter, you must come up with something for that letter
       If the timer ends before you correct yourself → elimination.
    6. Running Out of Letters
       If every remaining available letter has been used and players are still alive:
      • All letters reset to available
      • Play continues in turn order
      • No answer may repeat a previously used word
         Repeating an earlier answer → immediate elimination
    7. Last Player Standing Wins the Round
       As soon as only one player remains, that player wins the round and earns 1 point.
    8. New Round
       AI gives a brand new category.
       All letters reset to unused.

    Key Rules

    • Words must start with the exact letter.
    • Proper nouns (people, places, characters, brands) are allowed.
    • No repeating another player’s answer.
    • If players disagree on whether an answer fits, they may vote.
      • Majority decides
      • Tie = the vote of the player whose answer is contested does not count

    Variants

    Variant A — Rapid Fire Mode (Multiple Answers Per Turn)

    Players may give 2 or 3 answers on their turn — each using a different unused letter.
     However:

    • You must say all answers before the same hidden timer ends
    • The timer does not reset between answers
    • If you run out of time while trying to get extra answers → you are eliminated
       High risk, high reward.

    Variant B — Hardcore Elimination (3 Lives Mode)

    • Each player begins with 3 lives
    • They lose a life every time they:
      • Fail the timer
      • Cannot correct a mistake
      • Repeat a used word after reset
    • Category stays the same until one player loses all 3 lives
    • Eliminated players leave the game
    • Last remaining player wins the entire match

    End of Game

    Base Game:
     Play a set number of rounds (group chooses: 5, 7, or 10).

    • Each round winner earns 1 point
    • After the final round, player with the most points wins

    Tiebreaker:
     If players are tied for first place:
     → Those tied players play one final TapWords round
     → Winner of that round wins the game

    Example Round

    Category: “Things found in a kitchen”

    • Player 1: “microwave” → locks M
    • Player 2: “blender” → locks B
    • Player 3: “onion” → locks O
    • Player 1: “fork” → locks F
    • Player 2 hesitates… timer buzzes → eliminated
    • Player 1 vs Player 3 continue until only one remains

    Round Winner: Player 1 earns 1 point