This or that questions, one quick pick at a time This or That

How to play This or That

This or That is the quickest question game there is. Two options, one choice, and nobody has to explain unless they want to. Ten picks take a few minutes. That makes it a good warm-up, and there are enough cards to fill an evening.

The cards are already on this page. There's nothing to install and nothing to set up. Pick a category and read the first card out loud.

1. 1Gather around one phone, tablet or laptop. On a video call, share your screen so everyone sees the same card.
2. 2Choose a category: Food & drink, Everyday life, Travel, Fun & hobbies, Fantasy picks, Work & school, For couples or For kids. Mixed pulls from every category except For kids and For couples, which you pick on their own.
3. 3Read the card out loud: “Coffee or tea?”
4. 4Everyone picks at the same time. Count to three, then point left for the first option or right for the second. With just two of you, tap your pick on the screen.
5. 5Tap Next for a new card. On a phone you can swipe, and on a laptop the arrow keys work. Previous takes you back if someone wants a do-over.

Cards are shuffled, and none come back until you've seen the whole deck. A counter shows where you are, like 3 of 40. There's no timer and no score in the app, so people can drift in and out without breaking anything.

All This or That questions

Every pick in the game, sorted by category. Read them here to plan a round, choose a few for class or save some for the next long drive.

House rules and ways to keep score

Plain picking is fun for a round or two. After that, a little structure helps. The app doesn't count points, so use fingers, a notepad or the back of a receipt.

• Majority wins. Everyone picks on three. Players on the bigger side get a point, and a tie scores nothing.
• Read my mind. Before your partner answers, guess their pick. A right guess earns a point for both of you. It's the classic version for couples and best friends.
• Speed round. The reader goes as fast as they can. Anyone who hesitates, says “um” or tries to pick both sits out the next card.
• Last one standing. Everyone stands up. After each card, the smaller side sits down, and on a tie nobody does. Keep going until one person is left.
• Five-word defense. One person from each side explains their pick in five words or fewer. Then anyone can switch sides.
• No “both” and no “neither.” This is the one rule worth keeping in every game. The fun is in the choosing.

Ways to play

Same cards, different rooms. Here's how This or That works with four common crowds.

When to play This or That

It fits any moment when people are together, a little restless and not ready for a game with real rules.

• The first half hour of a party, while guests are still arriving. Anyone can join on the next card.
• Dinner, while the food is on its way. Food & drink is the obvious place to start.
• Long drives and waiting rooms. Nobody needs to see the screen except the reader.
• Sleepovers and family nights. For kids and Fantasy picks keep the youngest players talking.
• Team meetings and new classes. Five cards from Work & school take less time than a round of introductions and tell you more.
• Quiet nights for two. For couples gives you a reason to put every other screen away.

Once everyone is warmed up, move to a game with more to argue about. Most Likely To puts names on the line, and Red Flag or Green Flag has the group vote on everyday habits.

How to write a good this or that question

Sooner or later someone says, “I've got one.” Good. Here's what makes a homemade pick work.

• Compare the same kind of thing. Pancakes or waffles works. Pancakes or Tuesdays doesn't.
• Aim for a split. If almost everyone picks the same side, swap one option for something closer.
• Keep each side short. One to four words is plenty. If you need a whole sentence, you're writing a would you rather question.
• Skip the easy winner. “Pizza or homework” gets one laugh, then nothing.
• Mix small and telling. Follow something silly with something that says a lot about a person, like early bird or night owl.
• Write for the room. Coworkers, couples and kids need different picks. The categories in the game are a good place to start.

Slip yours in between cards from the game and see if anyone notices.

This or That vs Would You Rather

The two games look alike. Both give you two options and make you choose. The difference is weight.

Would You Rather gives you a dilemma: two whole situations, each with a catch. The fun is in the arguing. This or That gives you a preference: two short things, like coffee or tea. The fun is in the speed and in finding out who's on your side.

Use This or That to warm up a group, learn small things about new people or fill five spare minutes. Use Would You Rather when everyone is settled in and ready to debate. Plenty of groups play ten quick picks first, then switch.

When you want more than a one-word answer, try Get to Know You questions. Everyone answers in their own words, which makes it a natural next step after a round of this or that.

Questions