Trivia Game Review: ‘Give ’em the Finger’ from University Games

Give ‘em the Finger from University Games solves the problem of not knowing the answers in a trivia game by giving them all at once. Questions on any quiz can be difficult, and it is a big advantage to have multiple choice answers to choose from. Give ‘em the Finger takes it a step further by having every single answer already out on the table. The key is being the first to think of the right one and point it out.

Trivia with All the Answers

To set up a game of Give ‘em the Finger, each player gets a plastic Finger Pointer baton. Players then choose whether they want to do the multicolored questions or the black-backed questions. Each deck has a coordinating set of Gameboards printed with all kinds of words, letters, numbers, and symbols. Every round, players take turns as the Question Master, reading the questions on the card. The other players race to be the first to point out the correct answer on the board and collect the question card.

Multiple Choice

The Gameboards in Give ‘em the Finger display the answers to all of the questions, with several being used multiple times with different questions. For example, “Cherry, Ruby and Scarlet are all shades of what color?” and “What color rhymes with both bed and head?” Both lead to the answer “Red.” By using these common words and even true-or-false questions, Give ‘em the Finger maximizes the potential gameplay.

This is in addition to already doubling the decks and Gameboards by printing them on both sides, and the rules suggest that the Question Master can switch black-backed or multicolored before they choose which deck to read from. Players could even think of their own questions to supplement since the common-word answers are readily questioned.

All in the Reflexes

Most of the questions in Give ‘em the Finger are very straightforward, making it suitable for younger players as well as old. The goal is to be the first to point out the answer, and of course knowing the answer is a good first step. The real trick, though, is to find the answer and slap down the pointer. Players will do well to study the boards ahead of time and get a feel for what answers are where. With short questions and races to answer, games move very quickly and can be over in as little as 15 minutes since the first one to collect six answer cards wins.

Great for Medium-sized Groups

Give ‘em the Finger is a trivia game for three or more players aged eight and up. Since there are only four finger pointers in the box, games with more than four players have special rules to accommodate. Five players is easy; the Question Master simply does not use a finger pointer, with players trading any time a new Question Master takes a turn. Games with six or more players have an added role, Spectator, which also rotates so that everyone has a chance to play.