description Time's Up! Overview
The same names return under increasingly restrictive clue rules in Time's Up!, the team party game designed by Peter Sarrett and originally published by R&R Games. Based on the parlor game Celebrity, the original game asks participants to identify famous historical and contemporary figures. Four or more players divide into teams, with partners trying to recognize as many names as possible during timed turns. Across three rounds, the first permits extended verbal descriptions, the second limits a clue to a single word, and the third replaces speech with charades.
Reusing the cards means that earlier guesses and memorable gestures become useful shared knowledge. This progression sets it apart from guessing games that introduce fresh answers every turn. It suits groups comfortable speaking and performing in front of one another, rewarding attention to previous rounds as much as knowledge of the people on the cards.
help Time's Up! FAQ
Why does Time's Up! reuse the same cards in all three rounds?
Reusing the cards lets players build a shared memory of the names already seen. By round three, a gesture that would be meaningless at the start can identify a person or title because everyone remembers the earlier clues.
What clues are allowed in each round of Time's Up!?
The first round permits broad verbal clues, the second permits only one word per card, and the third uses silent charades. Players cannot simply say part of the printed answer or use a direct translation of it.
How is Time's Up! related to the public-domain game Celebrity?
It formalizes the familiar Celebrity or Fishbowl structure in a published card game from R&R Games. Editions such as Time's Up! Title Recall replace improvised slips with prepared names or entertainment titles.
What happens when the timer runs out during a clue?
The active team's turn stops, and an unguessed card returns to the pool for a later turn. Correct cards are retained for scoring, and teams continue until the round's entire deck has been identified.
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