The Hype Man

Turns your worst penalty into the main event

The Hype Man turns your worst penalty into the main event. Bad news gets a countdown and a roar, and good news gets an even bigger one. They love a rule that makes the whole table do something on cue: nobody speak, everybody chant, the next player announced like a champion. Make some noise, and if you will not, they will do it for you.

One night with The Hype Man

"Make some noise!" the Hype Man shouted, and the penalty was this: whoever plays the next card can't say a word until their next turn.

The table was baffled, because silence is the opposite of noise. "That's right," said the Hype Man, "because when you can't talk, WE do it for you!"

The silent player played their card to the sort of reception usually saved for a cup final. A neighbour shouted their name as if they had scored. Somebody started a chant. The silent player, scarlet, raised both arms without a word, which was somehow the funniest thing anyone had seen all night.

Someone downstairs knocked on the ceiling. The Hype Man took it as applause.

"LET'S GO!" screamed the Hype Man, and, honestly, they did.

Hear The Hype Man

“Make some noise! Whoever plays the next card can't say a word until their next turn! Let's go!”

Rules The Hype Man says

Delay Announcement
For the rest of the game, every time you claim a route, announce it like a station announcement: where from, where to, and the reason for the delay.

From Signal Failure, by zaragata, house rules for Ticket to Ride
Race Day
Play the rest of this turn standing up, calling out every card like the last lap of a race.

From Waiting for a Three, by zaragata, house rules for Skip-Bo
Royal Arrival
For the rest of the game, hum a royal fanfare before every card you play.

From Pecking Order, by zaragata, house rules for President
Dance First
For the rest of the game, you must do a ten second victory dance before you lay down your phase.

From Show Your Work, by zaragata, house rules for Phase 10
Explain Yourself
For the rest of the game, whenever you take the top card of the discard pile, stand up and tell the table why you wanted it.

From Still on Phase Three, by zaragata, house rules for Phase 10
Posh Voice
For the rest of the game, speak in your poshest voice. Every time another player catches you slipping, pay the bank 20.

From Old Money, by zaragata, house rules for Monopoly

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