Big Brother: Rules of Play

These rules have only been tested once. Please try this out and let me know the results!

Mechanics Rules

M1

Play begins when 2 or more players are together and somebody says "Game on". There may be multiple instances of groups of players playing the game simultaneously at different locations.

M2

Players accumulate points and lose points only during play. Fractional points are possible. Players keep track of their own points.

M3

Players receive a salary of one point for each day that they play. In order to earn their daily salary, players must actually be at risk of breaking a rule.

M4

Play is suspended in one location if all players there agree (by saying "Game off" in quick succession) or if players leave until there is only one player left.

M5

A player may excuse themselves from play by saying "Refusal to play" and forfeiting one point. The point is split amongst those who are playing there and then.

M6

Players gain 1 point when they catch another player in an infraction of the Rules. The player transgressing loses this point. If multiple players catch the infraction, they must split the point.

M7

Creating a new rule costs 30 points, except for each player's first rule, which costs 15 points. Also, two other people must agree to the new rule. A player may not spend negative points to create a new rule.

M8

A new rule comes into effect when it is communicated to all players. This can be verbally, or when email is sent.

M9

Rules are numbered sequentially by integers.

M10

When play resumes, all players currently playing say the number of the last rule they are aware of. If any players are out of date w.r.t other players, they are brought up to date before play begins.

M11

A rule may modify an existing rule by referring to it by number. This includes rules numbered Mi and Bi where i is an integer. This includes this rule.

M12

Play ends completely after a period of time arranged by the players.

M13

New players may join the game, at the discretion of the moderator, with 0 points. They are effectively in the game when they have received and read the rules and other players have been notified of their presence in the game.

Beginning Rules

Beginning rules are always in effect at the beginning of a new game. It is possible to modify a beginning rule. If you decide to change the beginning rules for the next game you play, that's cool too as long as players agree.

B1

The first time you say "It's a wonderful day" to another player on a Monday (during play only), you get a point.

B2

Wearing a hat on a Wednesday (during play) is worth 1 point per day.

B3

Dressing up on a Friday (skirts, ties, vests, suit jackets or blazers) is worth 1 pt per day.

B4

You must smile when somebody tells you "Smile please".

B5

You must turn around three times before lying down.

B6

You must drink with your left hand. If you notice somebody drinking with their right hand, the proper way of calling an infraction of the Rules is by saying "Gorilla". If you say something different, like "Hey, you're drinking with your right hand", then that is a miscall and you do not get a point from the person drinking improperly. A miscall is an infraction of the Rules. so the player making the miscall also loses a point if somebody catches them at it.

B7

No repeating yourself verbally three times. (This means that saying "ha ha ha" out loud is an infraction of the Rules, but laughing is not.)

B8

Crimes are against the Rules.

B9

Players may use points as ante in games against other players or in bets. The winners split the points anted by the losers; the losers lose that many points. A player may not ante points they do not have.

B10

Play is always on in the comfy lounge: players may not agree to end play as long as they are in the comfy lounge. Players may still exempt themselves from play as usual. (Games not taking place at the University of Waterloo may begin with a different location where play is always on.)

Lisa Lippert

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