The Game

Stories are powerful. They connect us to people, places, and ideas in ways that simple facts and names never could. That’s why they’re the backbone of how we teach, remember, and understand the world. Just like the stories in the Bible help pass down values and lessons, stories can help us learn about the world around us, even something as simple as the name of a country.

That’s the idea behind The Country Name Game—a story-driven, screen-free card game that transforms the way we learn history and geography. Instead of focusing on capitals and flags, this game invites players to guess the origins and meanings of country and state names using fun riddles and fascinating facts.

• Fact-Based Learning: Each card is backed by thorough research from trusted sources, offering players a reliable and engaging educational experience.

• Discover While You Play: No prior knowledge is required—players learn fascinating facts as they play, making the game accessible to everyone.

• Global Scope: With 225 cards featuring countries, territories, and continents, the game offers an immersive tour of the world.

• Interactive Fun: Designed for families, classrooms, and trivia enthusiasts, it combines storytelling and strategy for a one-of-a-kind experience.

• Extended Exploration: The accompanying Country Name Stories podcast dives deeper into the origins of country names, providing an additional layer of discovery.

Setups

The game is best played with three or more players but can also be played with two. Players or teams will compete against each other for points.

A Reader (i.e., Moderator) will hold and read the cards. For two players, keep the cards in the box and place them in the center of the table so no player can see the back or front of the cards. Take turns drawing and reading the cards. After each round, shuffle the deck.

Reading

The moderator will read the card's riddle aloud while showing (or hiding, depending on the level) the flag color on the back of the card.

Answering the Riddles

The players must guess the country’s name as the riddle is read and within 30 seconds after the card is read.

In a more competitive setting, including two or more teams, the moderator reads the riddle, and the first team to raise their hands as the riddle is being read answers. If they answer correctly, they get the point. Otherwise, the other team gets a chance to answer.

Gambling

Players can gamble on questions they feel confident about by betting an Awesome Point to submit a second answer. If they win, they keep the point. If they lose, the other player or team gets both points if they answer correctly.

Action Cards

You win and take possession of an Action Card when you correctly identify a continent’s name. These unique continental cards add an extra layer of strategy and can only be used once. Here are some examples:

• Swap with an Opponent: Steal five of their points.

• Pass the Riddle: Choose another player or team to answer the riddle for you.

• Double Points: Play this card before answering to double your points if correct.

Winning

The player or team with the most points at the end of the game wins and is declared a member of the CWSB!