3 min read Guess Karo

How to Play Diwali Taboo: Your Guess Karo Guide

Desi "Guess Karo" game with cards, hourglass, dholak, and Indian snacks. Perfect for festive fun.

Get ready to light up your festive gatherings with laughter and friendly competition! If you're wondering diwali taboo how to play, you've come to the right place. Guess Karo is the ultimate desi version of Taboo, perfect for bringing together family and friends during Diwali, Eid, or any festive night. It's a hilarious, fast-paced word game that challenges players to describe a word without using a list of forbidden terms. Think classic Taboo, but with a vibrant, culturally rich South Asian twist that everyone from your youngest cousin to your eldest auntie will love.

Forget complicated setups or endless rules. Guess Karo is designed for instant fun, making it one of the best desi taboo game experiences out there. Whether you're a seasoned game night pro or just looking for something new to spice up your next get-together, mastering Guess Karo is simple. Let's dive into how you can get your game on and make your next event unforgettable.

Ready to play now? Try Guess Karo on DesiMauj — free, no signup.

What you need

  • A timer (phone, stopwatch, or even a designated "time-keeper" shouting "Bas!")
  • Two or more teams (the more, the merrier!)
  • Guess Karo cards (physical or via the DesiMauj.com app)
  • A score sheet and pen (or just use your phone's notes app)

Setup

  1. Form Teams & Set Time Limit: Divide into two or more teams. Decide on a total game time (e.g., 30-60 minutes) or a target score (e.g., first to 50 points). Each round is typically 60 seconds.
  2. Choose a Card: The clue-giver from the active team picks a Guess Karo card. This card will have a main word at the top and a list of "Taboo" words below it.
  3. No Taboo Words: The golden rule: the clue-giver CANNOT use the main word itself, any part of it, or any of the listed Taboo words while giving clues.

How to play

  1. Describe Without Taboo: When the timer starts, the clue-giver describes the main word to their teammates. They can use any words, sounds, or phrases, as long as they avoid the forbidden Taboo words. For example, if the word is "Diwali," and "Festival," "Lights," "Crackers" are taboo, you might say "It's a celebration where we pray to Lakshmi and eat lots of sweets!"
  2. Pass Rules: If the clue-giver gets stuck or their team can't guess, they can "Pass" on the word. This usually incurs a penalty (e.g., -1 point) or simply means no points for that card. You can set a limit on passes per round.
  3. Scoring: For every word guessed correctly before the timer runs out, the team earns a point. If a Taboo word is accidentally used, the opposing team shouts "Taboo!" and the point is lost (or given to the opposing team, depending on your house rules). The round ends when the timer runs out.

House rules you'll love

  • Hinglish Bonus: Allow Hinglish clues! If a clue-giver uses a perfect blend of Hindi and English that makes everyone laugh, award an extra point. This makes the game even more authentic.
  • Pass Penalty: Implement a -1 point penalty for each "Pass" to encourage creative clue-giving and prevent teams from skipping difficult words too easily.
  • Double-Points Theme Round: Dedicate a round to a specific theme, like "Bollywood Taboo" or "Indian Food," where correctly guessed words earn double points. This adds an exciting twist.
  • No Gestures: For an extra challenge, forbid any hand gestures or charades. It forces players to rely purely on verbal clues, making it much harder and funnier.
  • Speed Round: In the final two minutes of the game, allow teams to guess as many words as possible without any passes. It's a frantic, high-energy finish!

Starter pack

Here are some sample words to get your Guess Karo game started, perfect for any Indian party games night:

  • Diwali: Festival, Lights, Crackers
  • Samosa: Fried, Potato, Snack
  • Bollywood: Movies, Dance, Mumbai
  • Cricket: Bat, Ball, India
  • Shaadi: Wedding, Marriage, Bride
  • Chai: Tea, Milk, Drink
  • Rangoli: Floor, Art, Colors
  • Autorickshaw: Three-wheeler, Taxi, Ride
  • Mithai: Sweets, Dessert, Shop
  • Henna: Mehendi, Hand, Tattoo

FAQs

Q: Can we play Guess Karo with kids? A: Absolutely! Guess Karo is family-friendly. You can even create custom cards with simpler Hindi taboo words for younger players.

Q: What if we don't know a word? A: If a word is truly unfamiliar to everyone, simply discard it and pick a new one. The goal is fun, not frustration!

Q: How do we balance teams? A: Try to mix up generations and language proficiencies. Put one strong clue-giver on each team to ensure fair play and maximum entertainment.

Ready to play now? Try Guess Karo on DesiMauj — free, no signup.