The Contender: The Game of Presidential Debate Rulebook

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

• The Deck
  • 40 Topic Cards
  • 460 Argument Cards
• The Rules
  • 1. Setup
  • 2. Game Play
  • 3. Winning

The Deck

40 Topic Cards

Each card contains a topic and a question relating to that topic. Topics include Gun Control, Education, Women, Corporate Handouts, and more. Candidates use Argument Cards to respond to the question.

460 Argument Cards

Candidates string together multiple Argument Cards to create the best argument, attack opponents, or rally the public to his or her cause. Fill in blank spaces on cards (______) with the topic from the current Topic Card.

The Rules

1. Setup

Whoever has the most presidential hair is the first Moderator. Everyone else is a Candidate. All Candidates draw 5 Argument Cards.

2. Game Play

The Moderator draws a Topic card and reads to the Candidates.

The Candidate to the left of the Moderator responds by playing one, two or three Argument Cards while reading the text aloud.

Play continues in a circle until each Candidate has played exactly three cards. Candidates who do not play all three at once will take several turns.

Candidates always draw to hold 5 Argument Cards.

3. Winning

At the end of a round, the Moderator awards the Topic Card to their favorite Candidate. That person becomes the new Moderator.

Whoever collects the most Topic Cards wins.