Facts in Five

About this board game

Facts in Five is a word-and-trivia game for 1–5 players, with plays lasting about 30 minutes. Players draw five cards, select a category and topic for each, then use five letter tiles to create answers under pressure.

Once the questions and letters are set, the five-minute timer starts. Players try to find an example beginning with each letter for every selected category and topic, turning broad knowledge and fast recall into a race against the clock.

The game offers variations for different levels of challenge. One variant requires players to use the same letter for all five answers, while other options make it possible for children to compete with adults using easier questions.

• 56 cards
• 56 letter chips, including wild tiles
• Master score pad and playing card sheets
• Five-minute sand timer
• Plastic storage tray and rules

The 2007 update, part of University Games’ Bookcase Series, removed many esoteric categories and focused more on pop-culture trivia. It also replaced the earlier “class” terminology with a required combination of Category and Topic, and updated the letter distribution.

Earlier 1967 3M and 1976 Avalon Hill editions differ from the later contents: their rules are separate rather than printed inside the lid, and they include 30 letter chips—one of each letter plus four wild tiles. With its compact format and timed response challenge, Facts in Five turns simple prompts into a lively test of vocabulary, knowledge, and speed.