The Big Debate

A party game for 5-10 players

We have all had those never-ending debates among our friends: Which player is better
than which? What political party is really causing all the issues? Which Superhero
would win in a fight? Is that one band musically legit or completely overrated?

You may have had a few laughs and some interesting discussions, but too often you
have just agreed to disagree. Now is the time to test your powers of persuasion and to
resolve these issues once and for all! Now is the time to see who can win The Big
Debate!

Setting Up the Game

Set the pad of paper with the open box in the middle and give each player a piece of
paper and a pencil/pen. Set a 2 minute timer on a phone, watch, etc.

How to Play
Creating the Prompts
At the beginning of the game, start a 2 minute timer. Each player writes at least one
debate topic on the piece of paper, along with their name, and places it in the box After
the two minutes is over, there should be at least 5 prompts in the box. Close the box
with the prompts inside.
Choosing the Prompt
The youngest player shakes the box and picks one prompt out of the box at random.
They, hereafter referred to as the “Debater,” can either choose to debate that topic, or
choose to reroll**. If they decide to reroll, pick a second prompt from the box, again at
random, and put the original one back inside (they must use the new prompt). In either
case, if the card has their name on it, pick another one, and place the original prompt
back in the box. This entire process of choosing the prompt should be done in secret,
as to not alert other players of potential topics.
Deciding on your Opponent
The Debater reads the card aloud, and can now pick someone to debate with**. This
player cannot be the person who wrote the prompt. Then, the “Opponent,” can choose a
side to debate for**. The Debater must play the other side, unless the debate prompt
has 3 or more sides. (Ex. Should homework be in middle school. “Yes/No/Optional”) In
this case, the Debater can pick any side except for the one the Opponent picked.
 Debating!
Begin a 1 minute 30 second timer. The Debater now argues to the non-debating
players, hereafter referred to as the “Judges,” why their side is correct. When the timer
ends, the Opponent then gets 1 minute and 30 seconds to offer why their side is
correct. Finally, both debaters get 1 minute (at the same time) to talk, offer rebuttals,
etc.
Voting
Each Judge decides which player they would like to vote for. On the count of three,
they point to the player they wish to vote for. Each debater scores points based on the
amount of Judges who voted for them, as per this table. The row indicates the number
of votes the Debater got and the column indicates the number of Judges. In the center
cells the format is “Debater/Opponent”. Numbers in bold indicate that they got more
points, earning them an additional 100 points (included) If a player gets all of the votes,
they get a “Smackdown,” earning them an additional 150 points (included), earning
them a total of 1250 points (1000 for 100% + 100 for most votes + 150 for Smackdown)
Number of Judges

3 4 5 6 7 8

0 0/1250 0/1250 0/1250 0/1250 0/1250 0/1250

1 333/767 250/850 200/900 167/933 143/957 125/975

2 766/334 500/500 400/700 333/767 286/814 250/850

3 1250/0 850/250 700/400 500/500 429/671 375/725

4 1250/0 900/200 767/333 671/429 500/500

5 1250/0 933/167 814/286 6725/375

6 1250/0 957/143 850/250

7 1250/0 975/125

8 1250/0

Ending the Game

Once every prompt has been debated, add up each player’s points and the person with
the most points wins!
Gameplay Variants
Shorter Game
Instead of the game going until all prompts have been debated, go until each player
has debated once.
Simpler Scoring
Each player scores 10 points for each person who voted for them. In addition, give 10
points to the player who got the most votes. In a “Smackdown,” give the player an
additional 15 points.
More Strategy
The Debater can choose a prompt to debate from the box excluding prompts with their
name. This removes rerolls from the game.
True Randomness
For each underlined phrase in the rules marked with two asterisks, “**” decide
randomly from the options given. In addition, remove rerolls from the game.
Chaos Mode
Instead of setting 3 minute timers for each debater, set a single 7 minute timer. Once it
expires, begin voting.
Nien!
Use the standard game rules for play. However, at any time, once per game, the
Debater or Opponent can play a Nien card to avoid debating for this round. However,
another player can play a Nien card, turning it into a Ja, and so on.

Notes
If one prompt remains and the player debating hasn’t gone and wrote the prompt,
allow them to debate their prompt.

Once you have been the Opponent, you may not be the Opponent unless everyone else
has been the Opponent.
Version 1.3
Example Prompts:
During our playtesting, we created a bunch of prompts that we think are good for game
nights. Feel free to use these at your leisure.
Funny/Unserious Prompts
 Does pineapple belong on pizza?
 What is the best fast food restaurant? (Judges can pick two restaurants)
 Is a hot dog a sandwich?
 Do you put cereal or milk in first?
 Which came first, the chicken or the chicken egg?
Serious Prompts
 Should Capital Punishment be legal?
 Should school uniforms be mandatory?
 Should tackle football be changed to flag football in high school?
 Will the movie industry rebound or has streaming services ruined it for good?
 Should steroids be allowed in sports?