Quick Answer

Our Dysfunctional Family is a laugh-out-loud card game where players take turns as the judge, reading a Setup Card while others play Response Cards that match the family member being roasted. The judge picks the funniest match, and that player scores a point.

What makes this game different

Unlike many party games that rely on random prompts, Our Dysfunctional Family creates inside jokes by letting you assign each response to a specific family member stereotype—the advice-giver, the storyteller, or the phone addict. This twist makes every round feel personal and hilarious, especially with people who know each other well.

How to Play Our Dysfunctional Family

  1. Set up the game: Shuffle the Setup Cards and Response Cards separately. Each player draws 5 Response Cards. Place the Setup Card deck in the middle. Common mistake: shuffling all cards together. Keep the two decks separate.
  2. Choose the first judge: The youngest player goes first as the judge. They draw a Setup Card and read it aloud to the group. The judge changes each round, so everyone gets a turn.
  3. Play Response Cards: All other players choose one Response Card from their hand that best completes the Setup Card or matches the family stereotype. They place it face down in front of the judge. Be creative—the funniest match wins, not the most literal one.
  4. Judge picks the winner: The judge shuffles the played Response Cards, reads each one aloud, and selects the funniest. The player who played that card wins the round and keeps the Setup Card as a point. If you are the judge, avoid picking your own card if you played one—some house rules allow it, but it's more fun to stay impartial.
  5. Restock and repeat: All players draw back up to 5 Response Cards. The judge role passes to the left. Play continues until someone collects a set number of Setup Cards (usually 5 or 7). Set a point goal before starting to keep the game length predictable.

Game Details