If you have three to eight people looking for some interactive fun, then jazz up your game night entertainment by diving into the Moods board game. It's all about gestures and guesses, as players have to guess the mood of their opponents. So get ready to emote with this amusing Hasbro board game.
Playing Moods
Released by the Hasbro Company in 2000, the board game Moods is for three to eight players. According to the manufacturer, Moods is recommended for ages 12 and up, making it a great choice for kids and adults alike.
Game Pieces
Before you can set up the game, you need to learn what all comes in the box.
- Game board
- 8 different colored mood stones
- 60 mood cards
- A box of 120 phrase cards
- 32 voting chips (four poker-like chips of each color matching the mood stones with a number from one to four on each chip in the color set)
- 1 ten-sided die
- A dice cup
- Label sheet
- Instructions
Set-Up for the Moods Board Game
Once the game board has been opened up and set on a table along with the phrase cards, it's time to get set up.
- Each player chooses their colored mood stone and places it on the start space on the game board.
- The players are given the four voting chips in the color that matches their mood stone.
- Ten mood cards are randomly picked from the mood card pile and placed face up in the numbered slots in the game board center. Each of these cards has a different mood written on it.
- The number of the slot where the mood card is placed corresponds to the number on the ten-sided die.
Instructions for Playing
The game of Moods is simple to play. But remember, just as it states on the game box: "It's all in the way you say it." You must say the phrase on the card you pick in the mood, or emotion, on the card that matches the number you roll on the ten-sided die.
- The first player places the die in the dice cup and shakes it.
- The player secretly looks inside the dice cup to see which number he has rolled. Don't dump out the die. This should be kept a secret.
- The number on the die matches the slot number of the mood card on the game board for the mood.
- The player draws a phrase card and reads the phrase trying to convey the mood matching the number rolled on the ten-sided die.
- When the player finishes reading the phrase, they yell out, "One, two, three votes!"
- The other players place one of their voting chips face down on the mood card in the center of the game board that they think the reader was trying to convey.
- It is up to the players to decide which voting chip, numbered 1-4; they want to use. Generally, if a player feels confident that they know the mood conveyed, they would use a higher number voting chip. If the player is not sure of the mood, a lower number voting chip is typically chosen.
- The player that rolled the die reveals the number rolled.
- Players that voted correctly on the mood the reader was trying to convey move their mood stone around the outside of the board, one in space for each number on their voting chip.
- Players that did not choose the correct mood do not move their mood stones at all.
- The person who reads the phrase gets to move their mood stone one space for each player who voted correctly.
- Once all players have moved their mood stones, all mood cards that have a voting chip on them are replaced with a different mood card.
- The played voting chips are also removed from gameplay until all four of each player's voting chips have been used.
- Each player takes a turn repeating the above steps.
- The winner is the first person who moves their mood stone completely around the board.
Strategies for Winning Mood
High on the fun factor of this board game is the willingness of the players to try to act out the phrases in the mood they are given. However, there are a few ways that you might beat out your competition.
Up Your Acting Game
The key to having a hilariously funny and fun-filled time is forgetting about being self-conscious and really throwing yourself into your acting ability. After all, everyone is playing to have fun, and part of the fun is trying to convince the other players that you are acting out the proper mood, or emotion, even though it really does not fit with the phrase.
For instance, just about anyone may look and sound silly saying something like, " My first pet was a gorilla" in a passionate way or "I love my rubber ducky" in a bossy tone. Forget your inhibitions and any feelings of self-consciousness, and show off your real acting skills for an evening filled with laughter and fun playing the Moods board game.
Watch Your Bets
When it comes time for placing your bets, you don't want to lose your 4 or 3 tokens on an unsure deal. Therefore, if you aren't 100% that they are being jealous or bashful, then you need to throw down a 1 or 2. That way, you don't have to wait for those tokens to come back and can get moving around the board.
Have Fun Playing Mood
Board games can be a lot of fun for tweens, teens, and adults when you have a party or need an ice breaker at a picnic. Hasbro's Mood is a great way to ease the tension and just let everyone relax. Now take a deep breath and figure out how you will indignantly say, "Elementary, my dear Watson!"
