- BGG rank
- BGG #2,075
- BGG rating
- 6.8
Beyond Balderdash
- 2–6 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 1.5/5
- 1993
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,571
- BGG rating
- 6.7
Wise and Otherwise
1997
Rules assistance for Wise and Otherwise
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–6 players
- 45 min
- 12+
- Complexity 1.5/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Wise and Otherwise
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Wise and Otherwise is a board game released in 1997 for 2–6 players, 45 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. Its main mechanics are Simultaneous Action Selection, Paper-and-Pencil, and Voting.
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About the game
Aptly described as Confucius plays Balderdash. One player is designated as the Reader each round. That player reads the first part of an old saying or proverb to the group, and states the country of origin for that proverb. The remaining players must secretly write an ending for the proverb and pass it to the Reader, who collects all possible endings. The Reader shuffles the submissions, and then reads each ending aloud for the group. Players must then vote for the ending they think is authentic. A player gets 2 points for each vote that their submission receives, and an additional 2 points if they vote for the correct ending. If no player votes for the real ending then the Reader is awarded 3 points. Once a player has earned 20 points, the game is over. If there is no winner at the end of a round, then the next player becomes the Reader and this process repeats. "All the Wit of the World... is Not in One Head" With 2500 sayings from across the world, creative wordplay and careful use of dialect are just as important in this game as the metaphors that you create. "The Beginning is... Half the Whole" Below are a few sample proverbs from one of the cards in the game. There's an old Tibetan saying: "It is no use trying to tug a..." There's an old Zambian saying: "A small thing is not noticed..." There's an old Dutch saying: "For the sake of the grease the cat licks..." There's an old English saying: "Cheese and money should always..." There's an old Croatian saying: "Those who eat porridge..." Only the first half of the proverb is shown here - if you want to find out how the proverb ends, you'll have to play the game!
Categories
Publishers
- wiseandotherwise.com, Inc.
Questions and answers
Wise and Otherwise supports 2–6 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.
The listed playing time for Wise and Otherwise is 45 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Wise and Otherwise for ages 12 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Wise and Otherwise has a complexity rating of 1.5 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Wise and Otherwise belongs to these categories: Word Game, Party Game, and Bluffing. Its main mechanics are Simultaneous Action Selection, Paper-and-Pencil, and Voting. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The catalogue lists Wise and Otherwise as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.