Setup
1. Place the Topic Cards pile face-down in the center of the play area. 2. Give each player 1 JinxO Board and 1 Board Marker. 3. Randomly choose a player to be the First Player for Round 1. 4. You are now ready to play!
2024
BGG rank #4504
JinxO
4–7 players
30–45 min
Ages 10+
1.1/5 complexity
5.8/10 rating
About this game
JinxO is a competitive word-association game. The aim: to score the most points by writing down answers that matches other people in the group. Be careful with your words! If your answer doesn't match anybody in the group, you receive no points. However, if only one other person matches with you, JINX! You score more points - it's a JinxO!
What it feels like
Humor
Party Game
Game intelligence
Learn the game
Turn flow
A round consists of 3 topic-selection and answer-writing phases, followed by a group answer-reveal phase: PHASE 1 – TOPIC SELECTION & WRITING (repeated 3 times): - The First Player draws the top Topic Card and reads aloud any one topic from the card. - ALL players (including the First Player) simultaneously and secretly write exactly 3 answers for that topic, each answer placed in a separate, available Answer Box on their JinxO Board. - This is repeated until 3 different topics have been chosen and every player has filled all 9 Answer Boxes. PHASE 2 – ANSWER REVEAL: - Starting with the First Player and proceeding clockwise, each player (the "Active Player") says one of their written answers aloud. - Outcomes are resolved (see scoring rules). - Play continues clockwise, each player saying one answer per turn. Answers already called out this round cannot be selected again by any player. - The round ends immediately when any one player has marked (circled or crossed out) all of their answers and declares "I'm done!" PHASE 3 – SCORING: - All players count up their points for the round and record them in their Score Boxes.
Scoring and victory
Highest cumulative score across 3 rounds wins. Scoring sources: 1 point per circled answer (matched with at least one other player), 2 additional points per shaded Jinx Star (exact two-player match), Bonus points for completing an entire row of circled answers (Horizontal Bonus), Bonus points for completing an entire column of circled answers (Vertical Bonus), 0 points for crossed-out answers (no match)
Source: Rulebook
Rules to know
The most useful rules for getting a first game right.
Turn structure
Each player writes exactly 3 answers per topic across 3 topics, filling all 9 Answer Boxes.
When a topic is announced, every player writes exactly 3 answers for that topic on their JinxO Board, one answer per available Answer Box. This is done simultaneously and secretly. After 3 topics have been announced and answered, each player will have filled all 9 Answer Boxes on their board.
Restriction
A valid answer consists of no more than 2 words, except for proper nouns.
An answer is only valid if it consists of no more than 2 words. Exception: proper nouns (such as brand names, cities, etc.) may exceed this limit and are still considered valid.
Restriction
A player cannot write the same answer twice on their board, even for different topics.
An answer is only valid if it is not the same as any other answer already written on that player's board, even if the duplicate would be written for a different topic. Each answer on a player's board must be unique.
Turn structure
Starting with the First Player, players take turns clockwise, each saying one answer aloud per turn.
During the reveal phase, beginning with the First Player and continuing clockwise, each player (the Active Player) says one of their written answers out loud on their turn. A player may choose any one of their as-yet-uncalled answers to reveal.
Restriction
An answer already called out this round cannot be selected again by any player.
Once any player has called out a particular answer during the reveal phase of a round, that answer may not be selected or called out again by any other player during the same round.
Scoring
If multiple players share the Active Player's answer, all matching players circle that answer.
If two or more other players have written the same answer as the Active Player, it is considered a group match. All players who have that matching answer (including the Active Player) raise their hands and draw a circle around the answer on their boards. A circled answer scores 1 point.
Scoring
If exactly one other player shares the Active Player's answer, both shout 'Jinx!' and shade in the Jinx Star for bonus points.
If exactly one other player has written the same answer as the Active Player, both the Active Player and that one other player may shout 'Jinx!'. Both players draw a circle around the answer AND shade in the Jinx Star on the top-right corner of the corresponding Answer Box. A circled answer scores 1 point; the shaded Jinx Star scores an additional 2 points, for a total of 3 points for that answer.
Scoring
If no other player shares the Active Player's answer, the Active Player crosses it out and scores 0 points.
If no other player has written the same answer as the Active Player, the Active Player crosses out (X) that answer on their board. A crossed-out answer scores 0 points.
Strategy briefing
Balancing Popular vs. Unique Answers
Since a Jinx (exactly one other player matches) scores 3 points versus a group match scoring only 1 point, it is more valuable to think of moderately popular answers — ones likely shared by just one other person — rather than the most obvious answers that everyone will write. However, writing an overly obscure answer risks a cross-out and 0 points.
Pursuing Row/Column Bonuses
Bonus points for completing full rows or columns can add significant points (as shown by the example score of 6 bonus points). Strategically filling your answer grid with higher-confidence matches in a concentrated row or column maximizes your chance of claiming these bonuses.
Answer Uniqueness Constraint as a Risk Factor
Because no answer can be repeated on your board across all 9 boxes, players are forced into less common answers as they fill up slots. Tracking which words you've already used is important to avoid accidentally writing a duplicate, which would be invalid.
Timing Your 'I'm Done!' Declaration
The round ends the moment any player declares 'I'm done!' Other players stop scoring immediately. If you are close to marking all your answers, it may benefit you to finish quickly and deny opponents the chance to score their remaining answers — especially if you have a strong lead.
No-Repeat Rule and Answer Selection Strategy
Since called-out answers cannot be repeated in the same round, pay attention to what answers have already been called. If a likely match of yours has already been called by another player, you must call a different answer — plan your reveal order to get the most valuable answers out early before they're taken.
Common questions and edge cases
If the Active Player's answer is shared by exactly one other player, does it score as a regular match (circle only) or a Jinx?
It scores as a Jinx. Exactly one matching player means both the Active Player and that one other player shout 'Jinx!', circle the answer (1 pt), AND shade in the Jinx Star (2 pts), for 3 total points. A regular circle-only match requires two or more other players to share the answer.
When a player says 'I'm done!' and triggers round end, do other players get to score their remaining unmarked answers?
No. The round ends immediately when 'I'm done!' is declared. Players with remaining unmarked answers do not get to call them out; those answers simply go unscored (treated as 0 points) for that round.
Does a Jinx Star (shaded) answer count toward completing a row or column bonus?
Yes. A Jinx answer is both circled and has its Jinx Star shaded. Since the answer is circled, it counts toward filling a complete row or column. If all answers in a row or column are circled (including any Jinx answers), the row/column bonus is earned in addition to the individual answer points and Jinx Star points.
Can a player write the same word/phrase as an answer for two different topics on their board?
No. An answer must be unique across the entire board. Writing the same answer for two different topics is invalid — each of the 9 answers on a player's board must be different from all others on that same board.
If a player has already called out 'CHEESE' and another player also wrote 'CHEESE', can that second player call out 'CHEESE' on their turn?
No. Once 'CHEESE' has been called out by any player during the reveal phase, it cannot be selected again by any other player in that same round. The second player would need to choose a different answer on their turn.
Two players write synonyms (e.g., 'SMALL' and 'TINY'). Does this count as a Jinx if no one else wrote either word?
Yes, synonyms that express the same specific idea are considered a match. If only those two players share the matching synonymous answers and no other player also wrote a matching answer, they can shout 'Jinx!' and shade the Jinx Star for bonus points. If disputed, other players vote.
