Apples to Apples vs. Cards Against Humanity
Choosing a game that can host large groups of players can be challenging. Luckily, both of these games have come to make quite a name for themselves as party games. But which one is more appropriate for your get-together?
While the games offer extremely similar game mechanics, they are aimed at very different audiences. Apples to Apples is great for teens and families, whereas Cards Against Humanity is like the R-Rated version of the former, that your family may not be impressed with. Both games are simple to learn and play so no matter which game you choose for your next game night, there are sure to be tons of laughs, and maybe a little judgment.
In this Apples to Apples vs. Cards Against Humanity guide, we’ll compare the two games side by side to help you choose which one earns a spot on your game board shelf.
Apples to Apples
Players: 4-10
Playing Time: 30mins
Cards Against Humanity
Players: 4-30
Playing Time: 30mins
Apples to Apples Overview
The game comes with two sets of cards — green and red — that should be shuffled and put into piles face down. The game setup for Apples to Apples is extremely simple. Choose who will play judge first, and deal 7 shuffled red cards to each player. Players will not show their red cards to the other players. Red cards will have nouns on them such as gymnastics, my grandpa, and Cuba.
The judge will then take a face-down green card, which will have characteristics words such as useless, colorful, and exhausting, read it aloud, and lay it on the table, revealing the word. All players except the judge should choose one of their red cards which they feel best fits the green card. Essentially, you’re matching nouns to adjectives for the best, funniest, or most original fit.
After everyone turns in their red card, the judge will read each of the cards before choosing a winner of the round. Everyone will have a chance to play as the judge, and the better you can read the judge, the stronger your chances of winning the round. The number of people playing will determine how many green cards are needed to win the game.
Other Versions of Apples to Apples
Cards Against Humanities Overview
Cards Against Humanity is ready to bring out the worst in you. At a party. But it’s okay — you and your friends will be keeled over in laughter… Or they’ll be condemning you with judgment.
All players will start the game with 10 white cards, which they will keep hidden from the other players. Each of these white cards will be an answer to a black prompt card. Try not to laugh too hard at them right off the bat.
Choose a person to be the first judge and they will flip over the first black card, reading the sentence. Essentially this game is played like mad libs and you’ll be filling in one or two blanks. Each player will choose one of their white cards which they think is funniest to anonymously put into the pool. The judge will shuffle the cards and read them aloud before deciding which is his favorite. The player who wins the round will get to be the judge next.
You’ll get a real feel for your friends’ sense of humor when playing this game. This game will touch on taboo topics like drugs, sex, religion, poverty, and everything else the darkest places of your mind could think up.
Cards Against Humanity Expansion Packs
Similarities
These games are played in almost the exact same way. Each round offers a prompt which will be judged by a new person, and the other players will offer up their best response. Both games employ hand management mechanics and you’ll need to plan when to use the most hilarious cards for maximum wins.
Learn to read the other players. In both games, the better you know your judge and what they find funny, the better you will do with the game. Of course, there is that element of luck with the cards you draw. But take a couple of rounds to feel out your opponents’ humor and get a feel for what cards they’ll best react to. If you can crack their type of humor, you’ll have a one-up on the competition. Go with your gut, read your judge, and just have fun with the luck of the draw.
The two games really are that similar.
Differences
While these two games are similar in their core mechanics, you’re going to need immensely different types of humor for each of these. Apples to Apples is pegged as a family-friendly party game whereas Cards Against Humanity is a great college party game or played with close friends who already know your crass sense of humor.
The games are so similar in fact, one of the only real differences you’ll find is that in Cards Against Humanity, you’ll hold 10 white cards in your hand at all times, and in Apples to Apples, you’ll keep 7 red apple cards at all times.
The humor will be a lot more vulgar in Cards Against Humanity and is generally aimed at an older crowd. I mean, how can matching “Peaceful” to “A Sunset” compare with what your friends can match to “Jim put my [insert obscene card here] in Jell-O again!” You’ll need to be mindful of your company if you want to pull this out on game night.
In Apples to Apples, players will be matching words together — basically a noun and an adjective- whereas in Cards Against Humanity, you will need to finish a sentence in the most hilarious, sometimes raunchy way possible.
Conclusion: Verdict?
Although both games bill themselves as party games, it will be completely up to you to decide which one better suits your audience. Is the game for family game night? Apples to Apples may be more appropriate. If the occasion is Friendsgiving, Cards Against Humanity will likely be a hit amongst your friends. Either way, both games are simple and are sure to bring laughs to your next gaming event.
We hope you enjoyed our Apples to Apples vs. Cards Against Humanity guide! Have you ever played either of these wildly popular card games? Drop a comment below and let us know what you think! We’d love to hear from you.
