HOW TO PLAY
How to play CategorySwap
- Players
- 2–12
- Time
- about 8 minutes
- Ages
- 9+
- Price
- Pro
CategorySwap is a fast word game for 2 to 12 players, inspired by the classic pen-and-paper “name something that starts with…” games, with a twist. Everyone gets the same letter and five categories. Fill in an answer for each one — but halfway through the round, one category suddenly swaps for a brand-new one and its answer is wiped.
The swap is what makes it: you can't just fill in the easy ones and relax. It is part of FamGames Pro.
What you need
Two to twelve players, each with a device. In one-phone mode, players take turns filling in their answers before the swap and then challenge together.
Rules: how a round works
- Get the letter. Everyone sees the same letter, for example B, and five categories such as Animal, Country, Food, Job, Something in a kitchen.
- Fill them in. Type an answer for each category that starts with the letter: bear, Brazil, banana, baker, blender.
- The swap. Halfway through, one category flips to a brand-new one and its answer is cleared. Adapt fast.
- Review. See everyone's answers side by side. Tap any answer to challenge it; if most players reject it, it scores nothing.
- Score. Points are added up and a new letter is drawn.
Scoring
A valid answer nobody else wrote scores 2 points. An answer someone else also wrote scores 1. Rejected answers and answers with the wrong letter score 0.
Difficulty levels
- Easy: Four categories, friendly letters and more time.
- Normal: Five categories.
- Hard: Six categories, tricky letters and less time.
Tips and strategy
Go unusual
Because shared answers only score 1, “baboon” beats “bear”. Think one step past the first word that comes to mind.
Easy ones first
Fill the categories you're sure about straight away — the swap can hit any of them, and an empty box can't lose anything.
Challenge fairly
The review step is a group vote. Challenge answers that really don't fit, and be ready to defend yours.
Variations and house rules
- Alliteration bonus (house rule): an extra point for answers of two or more words that all start with the letter, like “big brown bear”.
- Theme night: before you play, agree that every answer should relate to a theme such as holidays or school.
Who it's best for
Word lovers, competitive older kids and adults, and groups who enjoy a bit of friendly arguing about whether a tomato counts as a fruit.
Playing on FamGames
Part of FamGames Pro, which unlocks all 12 games with unlimited rounds and no ads. The host picks the game and difficulty, creates a room and shares the five-character room code. Everyone else joins from their own device — no download needed. No phone for everyone? Switch to one-phone mode and pass a single device around.
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Last updated 2026-10-21