Spelling Bee Teams - Drinking Game Rules & How to Play

Spelling Bee Teams is a drinking game in the Team Games category for 6-20 players that takes about 15-30 min with a medium difficulty level.

Team spelling competition

Equipment Needed

Setup

Divide players into two or more teams and seat them on opposite sides of a table. Each team should have a pad of paper and a marker to write their answers. Have a designated 'moderator' to call out words, check spellings, and enforce drinking penalties. Place drinks within easy reach of all players, as they'll come into play with every misspelled word.

How to Play Spelling Bee Teams

  1. Set up the game according to basic rules
  2. Players take turns or play simultaneously
  3. Penalties result in drinking
  4. Success means assigning drinks
  5. Continue until winner emerges
  6. Loser faces final penalty
  7. Winner earns bragging rights
  8. Adjust rules as needed for your group

Tips & Strategies

Choose a moderator with clear pronunciation to avoid any 'I didn't hear that right!' debates. Start with easier words to get everyone warmed up, then progressively increase difficulty to ramp up the challenge (and penalties). Strategize within your team , if one member is great at spelling, let them tackle the tough words! Keep track of assigned drinks to make sure no one is unfairly overloading a single player.

Variations

Speed Spell. Silent Bee. Double Trouble

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if two teams tie in a round?
If two teams tie by successfully spelling the same word, have them participate in a sudden-death round with a harder word. The first team to miss a spelling must take a penalty drink.
Can players use their phones to look up spellings?
No, using phones or any other aids is considered cheating. If someone gets caught, their entire team drinks as a penalty.
What’s the final penalty for the losing team?
The losing team must collectively finish a shared drink or take two individual penalty drinks each, as agreed upon by the group before starting.
What kind of words should the moderator use?
The moderator should start with simple everyday words and escalate to more obscure or tricky ones. Avoid overly technical or niche words unless all players agree.

Players: 6-20 | Duration: 15-30 min | Difficulty: medium

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