Description

The No Game was published in A Gamut of Games, a book by Sid Sackson.

"As promised, here is The No Game. This is not one that I created myself, though I wish I had. It is a great party game, taking fifteen minutes to prepare, one minute to explain, and as much time to play as the guests wish to devote to it."

It is a very simple party game in which each player receives a ribbon. When a player makes another to say 'No', he can take all ribbons from that player. The game continues until a predetermined time, when the player with the most ribbons is declared the winner.

Play is as follows:

1. Locate a nice prize.
2. As everyone enters the party, pin a small ribbon on their clothes, one per person.
3. After everyone has arrived, gather them together and give a speech similar to the following:
   • “The object of tonight’s game is to collect the most ribbons. To collect ribbons, you must have an opponent say the word ‘No’ to you. Upon uttering that word, you may promptly collect every ribbon currently pinned on them; they are yours, at least until you say ‘No.’ Other words, phrases, and actions, like ‘Nah,’ ‘Certainly not,’ and a swift slap, are perfectly valid; only uttering the word ‘No’ causes a lack of ribbons. At [some time here], the person with the most ribbons wins the game, and receives a nice prize.”
4. Play as the speech above states.