Why
BGG rank
BGG #23,915
BGG rating
5.8

Why

1958

Rules assistance for Why

Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

  • 2–4 players
  • 45 min
  • 12+
  • Complexity 1.2/5

Rules assistant for Why

What would you like to know?

Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.

Why is a board game released in 1958 for 2–4 players, 45 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. Its main mechanics are Set Collection, Trading, and Roll / Spin and Move.

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About the game

"Alfred Hitchcock presents...The Game of Why" Once upon a time, six people on their way to a costume party took shelter from a storm in a haunted house...And were never seen alive since. But they still haunt the house. You must try to find out who was murdered, by what means and why. The cards include Motive cards, No Clue cards and a single "It's a Mystery to Me" card. In addition, there are cards that can be assembled side by side to form larger pictures: the six guests (Cleopatra, Napoleon, etc. --they were costumed, you see; in four pieces), four weapons (also in four pieces) and Alfred Hitchcock (in six pieces). Seven cards are dealt to each player, the rest into the house's rooms. You enter a room by exact count, except that a 7, 11 or doubles allows you to go directly to the spot of your choice. When you reach a room, you pick up the top card there and discard either it or another card from your hand to the "Lawn" --off the board. These cards are laid face down without overlapping each other but are shown to the other players as they're laid down. Later, you may try to recover a Lawn card by showing a card from your hand of the appropriate type (a piece of a guest, for example) and then pointing to a Lawn card and picking it up. If you remembered right, you may repeat the procedure. You can also claim cards from other players by meeting them in the house and "accusing them" of withholding a particular card (this is what the No Clue cards are defence for). Once the rooms are empty, everyone gathers in the hall and play is speeded up. First player to assemble a Ghost, Weapon and Motive OR Alfred and "It's a Mystery to Me" wins.

Publishers

  • Alga
  • John Sands Pty Ltd
  • Juegos Crone
  • Milton Bradley
  • Otto Maier Verlag
  • Jumbo
  • Chad Valley Co Ltd.

Questions and answers

Why supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.