Pictionary has one rule that matters above all else: the drawer cannot speak, gesture, or write letters or numbers. Everything else is negotiable.
The basic flow: 1. One person draws, the rest guess. 2. The drawer sees the word, sets the timer, and starts immediately. 3. Teammates shout guesses until time runs out or someone gets it right. 4. Rotate to the next drawer.
Common house rules worth adopting: - "Pass" option: A drawer can skip a word once per round if they're totally stuck. - Team rounds: Split into two teams and keep score across five rounds. - Speed bonus: Correct guesses in under 10 seconds earn an extra point.
What makes a good drawer? Start with the biggest, most recognizable element of the word. Don't add detail until the general shape is guessed.