Ransom Notes Official Rules – How to Play the Party Game

Last Updated on August 18, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

Ransom Notes throws you into the world of creative blackmail! Players become kidnappers (of ideas, of course!), each crafting a ransom note using bizarre and hilarious words cut from a “newspaper.” The goal? To make your ransom note the most difficult (and funny) for the “victim” to decipher. Get ready for a word-scrambling, clue-creating, and laugh-out-loud party game where only the most cunning kidnapper prevails!

buy now!

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see our disclosures here.

How to Play Ransom Notes

What Is Ransom Notes?

Ransom Notes is a party game where players use random magnetic word tiles to build responses to bizarre and creative prompts. The goal is to win five Prompt Cards by crafting the most entertaining or accurate sentences, judged by your fellow players.

Ransom Notes Objective

The objective of Ransom Notes is to be the first player to collect five Prompt Cards. You earn Prompt Cards by creating the best response to the round’s prompt using only the word magnets in front of you.

Ransom Notes Setup Instructions

Here’s how to set up your Ransom Notes game:

Each player takes a black metal submission card and places it flat-side-up in front of them.
Randomly grab about 75 magnetic word tiles per player (unless everyone agrees on a different number).
Place your word magnets face up in your play area so you can easily read them.
Stack the Prompt Cards face down in the center of the table.
Return the unused magnets to the bottom of the game box, which is placed in the center—this will be used later to choose the judge.

How to Play Ransom Notes

Step 1: Flip a Prompt Card

To begin the round, flip over the top Prompt Card and read it aloud. All players must now create a response to that prompt using their available magnets.

Example Prompt:
“Write a jingle for a toupee store.”

Step 2: Build Your Sentence

Players look at their magnets and use any number of them (at least one) to form a phrase, sentence, or statement that responds to the prompt. The goal is to impress the judge, so be funny, clever, weird, or completely random—it’s up to you.

Place your chosen words onto your submission card.
When finished, flip your submission card face down to keep your response hidden until the reveal.

Time Limit: The game recommends 60–90 seconds per round, but timing can be flexible based on your group’s preference.

Step 3: Reveal and Read Submissions

Once all players are done, flip the submission cards over. Starting with the last person to finish, players read their responses aloud to the group.

Step 4: Choose a Judge

To determine the judge for the round:

Spin the bottom of the Ransom Notes box.
The player closest to the side labeled “You’re the judge” becomes the judge for that round.

Note: If a prompt refers to “the most recent judge,” it’s referring to the person who judged the previous round.

Step 5: Judging the Best Response

The judge listens to all the responses and chooses their favorite—based on humor, creativity, accuracy, or whatever criteria they choose.

The judge can vote for their own submission, but only if they truly believe it’s the best.
If the judge picks themselves, the other players may overrule the decision with a unanimous vote.

The winning player takes the Prompt Card, which counts as one point.

two friends playing the card game ransom notes and showing a close up of a question card and two answer cards

Clean Up and Next Round

After the round:

Remove all magnets from submission cards.
Return the used magnets to the top of the box.
Players may pick up new magnets to replace those they used.
Start the next round by flipping over a new Prompt Card.

Winning the Game

The first player to win five Prompt Cards by having the best responses wins the game.

Ransom Notes FAQ

How many players can play Ransom Notes?

The game is designed for 3–6 players but can be played with more if you split into teams.

How do you set up Ransom Notes?

Each player gets a set of word magnets and a metal board. A prompt card is revealed, and players arrange their magnets to form a response.

How is Ransom Notes scored?

After everyone submits a response, one player acts as judge and picks their favorite. That player wins the round.

How long does a game of Ransom Notes last?

A typical game lasts 30–45 minutes, depending on the number of players and rounds chosen.

Can you make your own prompts?

Yes. Many groups add custom prompts for variety and replayability.

Is Ransom Notes similar to Cards Against Humanity?

Yes, both Cards Against Humanity and Ransom Notes are judge-based party games, but Ransom Notes uses word magnets instead of cards, making it more creative and flexible.

Alternate Ransom Notes Game Modes

Ransom Notes also includes optional modes for more variety.

Party Gamer Mode

A new judge is chosen each round (rotate clockwise).
The current judge does not submit a response, only selects the winner.

This keeps judging neutral and the game flowing quickly.

Shrink City Mode

Play proceeds as normal, but you don’t replenish used word magnets.
As rounds progress, your word choices shrink, making the game more challenging and strategic.
When a player can no longer make a sentence, the game ends.
The player with the most Prompt Cards at the end wins.

Why Ransom Notes Is the Perfect Party Game

With simple setup, hilarious results, and near-infinite replay value, Ransom Notes is perfect for parties, game nights, or casual gatherings. The ever-changing prompts and the randomness of available words lead to endless laughter and creativity.

Ransom Notes: The Ridiculous Word Magnet Game is a lighthearted game that encourages creativity and humor, making it perfect for parties and gatherings. Enjoy creating hilarious and imaginative phrases with your friends and family!