What Do You Meme – Rules, How to Play, Family Edition

What Do You Meme? is a party card game that translates internet meme culture into a physical tabletop experience. Players compete to create the funniest combinations by matching caption cards to photo cards, with a rotating judge determining the winner of each round. Created by Elliot Tebele and released in 2016 through What Do You Meme? LLC (now Relatable), the game has expanded to include a sanitized Family Edition alongside the original adult version.

The game mechanics operate on a simple premise drawn from viral meme formats. Each round, one player selects a photo card while others submit caption cards from their hands, hoping to craft the most humorous juxtaposition. This places What Do You Meme? within the judge-based party game category, though its reliance on visual media distinguishes it from text-only competitors.

What Is What Do You Meme?

The game exists as both an adult-oriented original and a family-friendly adaptation, each serving different demographic requirements while maintaining identical core mechanics. Players pair humorous captions with photographic images to earn points, creating a social competition centered on comedic timing and cultural awareness.

Key Insights:

• Combines visual meme photography with text captions for image-based humor competition
• Rotating judge system prevents single-player dominance and maintains group engagement
• Family Edition removes all mature content while preserving comedic gameplay for ages 8 and up
• Scales efficiently from intimate three-player gatherings to parties exceeding twenty participants
• Created by Elliot Tebele, founder of the viral media company FuckJerry
• Available exclusively as a physical tabletop product without official digital integration
• Adjustable victory conditions allow customization for session length preferences

How Do You Play What Do You Meme?

The Family Edition setup requires shuffling the 300 caption cards and dealing seven to each participant. Players place the included easel in the center of the play area, and the youngest participant assumes the initial judge role. Official documentation confirms this setup procedure ensures consistent game flow.

Round Structure

The judge selects one photo card from the deck and displays it on the easel so all players can view the image simultaneously. Other participants then choose one caption card from their hand and submit it face-down to the judge. The judge shuffles these submissions to maintain anonymity, reads each caption aloud while the photo remains visible, and selects the combination they deem funniest based on any personal criteria.

Scoring and Rotation

The player whose caption wins the round takes the photo card as a point marker. All players then draw replacement cards to return their hands to seven cards, and the judge role passes to the left. Video demonstrations illustrate this rotation maintaining game momentum across varying group sizes.

Victory Conditions

Winning thresholds vary by player count to balance game length. Three-player games require seven photo cards to win, four to five player sessions end at five cards, and six to ten player games conclude when a participant collects four photo cards. Groups may adjust these numbers for shorter or longer sessions.

Is What Do You Meme Family Friendly?

The franchise maintains two distinct versions with different content standards. The original targets adults aged 17 and older with mature humor, while the Family Edition caters to ages 8 and above through completely sanitized content.

Age Rating Verification

Library classification data confirms the Family Edition accommodates large groups starting at age 8. The original version contains explicit references unsuitable for younger audiences.

Content Comparison

The Family Edition contains 300 caption cards and 65 photo cards with zero mature themes. Publisher FAQ materials state this version undergoes specific curation to ensure compatibility with multi-generational family gatherings. Parents evaluating appropriateness may consult the What Do You Meme? Family Edition Review for additional context on specific card content.

What Do You Meme Expansions and Variations

Holiday-themed expansion packs supplement the base game with seasonal photo and caption combinations. These maintain the family-appropriate standard while introducing timely content variations.

Comparison to Cards Against Humanity

Both titles employ judge-based mechanics where players submit responses to prompts, yet structural differences separate the experiences. What Do You Meme? utilizes visual photo cards alongside text, whereas Cards Against Humanity relies exclusively on word combinations. The Family Edition supports ages 8 and up compared to the adult orientation of Cards Against Humanity. Player capacity ranges from 3-20+ for What Do You Meme? versus 4-30 for Cards Against Humanity, though the latter serves exclusively adult demographics.

Digital Availability

No official mobile application or digital adaptation currently exists. BoardGameGeek listings confirm the game remains strictly physical, with no digital integration or online multiplayer components available as of 2025.

When Did What Do You Meme Launch and Evolve?

1. 2016: Elliot Tebele launches the original What Do You Meme? through What Do You Meme? LLC, capitalizing on emerging viral meme formats. Source
2. 2018: First wave expansion packs release, introducing additional caption and photo cards to extend replayability.
3. 2019: Family Edition debuts, offering sanitized content specifically designed for players aged 8 and older.
4. 2023: Publisher rebrands from What Do You Meme? to Relatable while maintaining existing product lines.
5. Present: Holiday-themed expansions rotate seasonally through retail channels.

What Do You Meme Rules: Verified Facts vs. Unclear Information

How Does What Do You Meme? Fit Into Party Game Culture?

The game emerged during the mid-2010s proliferation of internet memes, translating ephemeral digital culture into tangible social interaction. Unlike abstract card games, What Do You Meme? leverages specific visual references to viral moments, filling a niche between photographic storytelling and word-based humor.

The Family Edition specifically addresses market demand for multi-generational entertainment that accommodates younger players without segregating family gatherings. By maintaining the meme format while removing mature content, the game allows parents and children to engage with contemporary internet humor simultaneously.

What Do Reviewers Say About What Do You Meme?

The Family Edition uses 100% family-friendly content, rated for ages 8+, supporting 3-20+ players with playtime of 30-90 minutes.

Whats Good To Play

Setup involves shuffling 300 caption cards and dealing 7 to each player, placing the easel in the center, and starting with the youngest player as judge.

Library Gaming Resources

Is What Do You Meme? Right for Your Group?

What Do You Meme? suits gatherings seeking visual humor combined with caption-based creativity. The Family Edition accommodates ages 8 and up with flexible player counts from 3 to 20, while the original serves adult-only audiences. Those requiring detailed setup procedures should consult the What Do You Meme? Family Edition Rules. Prospective purchasers should verify age ratings on packaging to ensure appropriate content selection, checking specifically for the Family Edition designation when children participate.

Frequently Asked Questions