How to Play Tapalavras

Game Objective

In Tapawords, players take turns naming answers to a specific category, using the available letters on the TAPAWORDS wheel. Each player has 10 seconds to answer and pass their turn. If time runs out, the player is eliminated from the round. The goal is to be the last player remaining in a round to win the category card. The game is won by the first player to collect three category cards.

Preparation (Setup)

1. First, make sure the TAPAWORDS has batteries. It requires 2 AA batteries (not included), which must be inserted into the battery compartment on the back of the device by an adult, with the correct polarity.
2. The TAPAWORDS comes with 36 cards with 144 questions. These cards can be stored in the category card storage compartment, also on the back of the device.
3. Turn on the device using the on/off button.
4. Choose a category card and a question to start the first round.

Gameplay Flow

The game progresses in turns clockwise. The player to the left of the starting player begins the first round. A round continues until only one player remains. The game continues for several rounds until a player collects three category cards.

Start of a Round

1. The winner of the previous round (or the starting player in the first round) chooses a category card and a question.
2. They pull the letter release lever on the TAPAWORDS wheel to reset the letters.
3. Then, they press the timer button.
4. The player to their left starts the new round.

Player's Turn

On your turn, you have 10 seconds to perform the following actions:

1. Give an acceptable answer to the category question that starts with an available letter on the TAPAWORDS wheel.
2. Press the first letter of the answer on the TAPAWORDS wheel.
3. Reset the timer and pass your turn to the next player.

Pressed letters can no longer be used in the round, increasing the difficulty as the round progresses.

Actions and How to Play

Choosing a Category and Question

At the beginning of each round, a player (the winner of the previous round or the starting player) chooses one of the category cards and selects one of the questions on it. The cards contain 144 questions in total.

Answering

When it's your turn, you must say an answer to the category question that starts with one of the available letters on the TAPAWORDS wheel. You have 10 seconds to do this.

Pressing the Letter

After giving your answer, you must press the first letter of your answer on the TAPAWORDS wheel. This letter will be "tapped" and cannot be used again by any player in this round.

Resetting the Timer

After answering and pressing the letter, you must reset the timer by pressing the Timer button and pass your turn to the next player.

Elimination

Players are eliminated from a round if:

• They do not answer before the timer beeps.
• They answer something that is deemed unacceptable by the other players.

When a player is eliminated, they start the timer for the next remaining player so the round continues. If the eliminated player pressed a letter before being eliminated, that letter remains "tapped."

End of Game and Scoring

End of a Round

A round ends when only one player remains in the game. That player wins the round and collects the category card that was being used.

Tie-breaker Round

If there is still more than one player in a round when ALL the letters on the TAPAWORDS wheel have been used, these remaining players enter a tie-breaker round. The player whose turn is next pulls the letter release lever to reset the letters, chooses another category on the SAME category card, and then presses the timer button for the next remaining player to start the tie-breaker round. The game continues normally until only one player remains.

End of Game and Victory

The game continues for rounds until a player has collected three category cards. That player wins the game! For longer games, it is possible to play until four, five, or more cards.

Tips for Winning

• Think quickly! You only have 10 seconds to give an answer and press the letter.
• Observe the letters that have already been used. The more letters are used, the harder it becomes to think of an answer, so plan your answers in advance.