Last Updated on June 25, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

You Can’t Say UMM is a fast-paced party game where players must speak on the spot—without using filler words like “umm” or “uh.” It’s simple, hilarious, and great for groups looking to test their focus and quick thinking.

You Can't Say UMM party card game box product photo

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How to Play You Can’t Say UMM

Game Components

150 cards (“A” cards, “B” cards, and “Rule” cards)
2 playing pieces
1 board
1 bell
1 timer

Player Count & Age

Players: 4-12 (minimum is 4)
Ages: 10+

Setup

Divide into Teams: Split players into two teams of equal size.
Prepare the Cards: Shuffle the cards and place them into two piles (an “A” card pile and a “B” card pile). Place them in the center of the table.
Bonus Rule Cards: If you are using the “Rule” cards, place these in the center next to two main deck piles.
Prepare the Board: Place the game board in the center of the table with the 2 playing pieces on their respective starting “GO” squares.

How to Play

Each team picks 3 “Rule” cards to give to the other team (they can’t look at them!). Save these, as they will be used later in the game.
Decide which team goes first and pick a player from that team.
The player picks up one “A” card and one “B” card. Flip the timer and begin!
The player races to describe the words on the cards without using “filler” words such as, “umm”, “ahh”, and “err” (no filler words are allowed, not just those examples). Score 1 point for every word or pair of words that are correctly guessed and move your token forward for each point.
Every time a filler word is used while describing the cards, the other team rings the bell and moves their token one square forward.
If your team does not guess the words in time play passes to the next team.

Rule Squares: Anytime a teams marker reaches a yellow square on the board, they must flip over a rule card and respect the rule until the end of the game. If the rule is broken at anytime, the other team can ring the bell and move their token forward. E.g. “Talk in a very high voice” or “No words beginning with “L”.

When a team reaches the yellow “!” square (the danger zone), a new team rule is added. For the rest of the game no one on that team can use a filler word, even when guessing!

You Can’t Say UMM is all about thinking on your feet while staying cool under pressure. It’s a great icebreaker, classroom warm-up, or game night challenge. Just remember—no filler words, no pauses… no mercy!