POCKET UNGAME - Teens - non-competitive card game for teenagers to discuss, share values & experiences - break the ice and get teens to talk - Ages 12-18

My fiancé and I started playing this game just a week after our first date … we wanted to get to know each other on a deeper level. Both of us had spent years dating great people but came to realize that they weren't "the right one." I wanted to find my soulmate and so did he. This game is amazing because the questions help you to discover who that person is, what makes them tick, what makes them angry - and how they act when they're angry, If/how their parents showed affection, how they were disciplined…etc. I realize that people can gain this kind of understanding for their boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife without this game. However, in my dating experience, it's taken years to achieve the kind of deep understanding that this game fosters in a matter of weeks. I'd imagine that asking someone these questions would be awkward if you weren't playing the game. But since it's the point of the game for both people to answer personal questions, it takes the awkwardness out of it and makes it fun to open up to each other. I highly recommend this game if you don't want to "waste" years of your life dating the wrong person. Speaking IMHO, it's better to know early on if we differ on how to raise children, how to spend money, how to celebrate holidays, etc. I could also see this game working wonders on your relationship even if you're already married because a rule in the game is that you can't speak unless it's your turn. Truly listening and feeling like you're being listened to is vital to successful communication, and when you can communicate effectively, you are able to see past differences and understand the other's heart. Even something as simple as asking each other a question from one card while getting ready for work in the morning can keep the communication lines open and strengthen any relationship.

I'll be honest, I really didn't think I would like The Ungame. It was referred to me in grad school, and it really just looked like a waste of time, and I bought my first copy of The Ungame with just that in mind... to use as something to pass time when I found myself "stuck" with nowhere to go. Boy was I wrong. The Ungame works great as an icebreaker activity when you are still getting to know clients. It asks questions for all participants (including the counselor) to answer in a safe, non-threatening manner than help to understand people's values, thoughts, and ideas on numerous subjects. The clients that I use it with seem to enjoy it a lot, and often request to play it from time to time, or in group sessions. The game comes with two sets of card, with set 1 being more general questions, and set 2 being more personal, in-depth questions. The publisher states that set 2 should only be used with a trained counselor/therapist, and only with clients that you have already developed a strong rapport with, and I tend to agree, as some responses of set 2 questions have led to more in-depth processing with the client that would be best done with a trained professional. In my experience, teens seem to enjoy the Ungame the most ( there are versions for kids, teens, and families), and seem to get the most out of it. It helps them to look at certain values in their lives, and understand why they hold particular values, thoughts, and ideas. Often times, it helps them to explore areas that they either feel uncomfortable discussing with others, or areas that they haven't really had to think much about until it was brought up during the game. Along with the game, pulling specific cards for specific sessions has also been helpful when trying to start a discussion on those topics. I am very glad that I followed someone's advice and bought The Ungame, and highly recommend it for anyone working with teens in a counseling/therapy setting.

**Important to note** This game is geared more towards being a therapeutic tool, however it is advertised for a wide range of social settings & groups. So if you are looking for a "ice-breaker" game, this may not meet your expectations or purposes and may get too "real" for your liking. Just something to keep in mind when you are considering this. Its a great tool, as long as you understand that while the game can be fun, it also carries a serious tone as well. I have provided a picture sampling of what kinds of questions the cards ask. The cards on the left are the numbered 1 cards, which are intended to be ice-breakers & light hearted and the cards on the right are the numbered 2 cards, which focus on feelings and emotion, deeper stuff. To those looking at this for a therapy tool I use this a lot with my teen clients to build rapport & I have had great results from it. I have also had a few teens that really didn't respond well to it too. So it can be hit and miss, but I have had more good results than bad. This game requires self disclosure, so if your not comfortable self-disclosing to your clients, then this game may not be for your tool-kit. Comparison to the old version This All ages version does have different questions than the old version (many are similar), but I think they were updated to be more relevant (and these have a larger print size), but they help accomplish the same thing as the old version. I've seen some reviews mention that the questions have religious undertones, I've been through every card in this version and the old and the closest to that is a the question "Talk about the importance of a religious faith in your life". And quite frankly it opens the door for you to learn more of how your client views the world around them no matter if they are religious or not. Basic information How many cards are there? There is 140 total cards, 70 in each deck and they are all numbered. The 1s are light hearted for ice-breakers, getting acquainted and some fun and laughter and the 2s deal with feelings, values and experiences. If its something someone doesn't want to talk about, they can always pass. Do you need the game board? Personally I have never used the game board, but I've heard from others that have, say that it is confusing and really doesn't make sense, but that is their experience with it, it may not be yours. I just use the cards by themselves and it works out just fine. Could you come up with these questions on your own? Most of them probably yes, but I honestly think you might not think to ask most either and consider this, you pay for the convenience of not having to write down over 100 questions (and they cover a broad range of topics) unless you just have a lot free time on your hands and personally as student intern, I do not. Should you invest money in this? Some will feel this is money well spent like myself, others will get this and will not have the same sentiments. From my experience with using this, it is a great resource and tool to be at least given a chance.

great game to get people talking

I love these cards. They are a wonderful means of building therapeutic rapport in the beginning of treatment.

I was introduced to this game in therapy. Forewarning that some of the cards dredge up some really rough memories and therefore if you're going to play it with people, make sure they can tap out whenever they want or you're actually going to make more enemies than with Cards Against Humanity. If you want writing prompts, they're handy. If you just wanna think about life, handy. If you want to learn more about somebody, handy. Just don't wreck anyone's mental health with 'em.

amazing game ever, pays every penny

Buscaba algo parecido para fomentar la comunicación con mi pareja, trae muchas preguntas que una pareja que lleva años juntos ya conoce la respuesta, pero nos ha servido mucho para ahondar en cuestiones que en otras circunstancias difícilmente haríamos.