2²⋅5 questions: Game 2⁹
Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2025 1:29 pm
RULES
0. The purpose of this game is for the Question Master (QM) to select an entity to be guessed, and for the contestants to deduce the identity of this entity by asking a series of questions.
1. Only binary (yes/no) questions may be asked. Conditional questions are allowed, but conditional guesses are NOT allowed.
2. If the QM cannot determine with reasonable certainty whether the answer to a particular question is "Yes." or "No.", they will simply reply with "Pass". Questions that are answered in this way will not count towards the twenty-question limit, but all other binary questions will count towards the limit. Re-asking passed questions verbatim is not allowed, but contestants are welcome to rephrase passed questions and ask those. The QM is permitted to use discretion to pass certain questions on principle, but must be transparent about this.
3. Before the twentieth question is answered, one free guess per contestant does not count against the total twenty questions, but additional guesses by the same contestant do.
4. After all twenty questions are answered, there are no more free guesses, and five total guesses (combined among the contestants) shall be allowed.
5. No player shall ask more than two consecutive questions, where a guess (free or unfree) counts as a question. EG: If Player A asks a question; and Player B makes a guess; Player A may go next with up to two questions. This means you cannot ask 2 questions and then follow it up with a guess.
6. The Question Master may choose entities real or fictional that are not horribly obscure, so long as they are not repeats.
7. Whoever guesses correctly takes over from the previous question master; if they do not want to do it, they may choose someone else provided they are willing.
8. In the unlikely event the question master remains undefeated three times in a row they must choose someone else to be the next QM (provided they are willing).
9. If terminology in a question is undefined, the QM defines it however they think is most reasonable (or may ask the questioner to clarify or re-phrase the question). Questions regarding the methodology used do not count towards the 20 questions and best come with an example figure.
10. A contestant can "scratch" their own question or guess before it is answered. Scratched questions and guesses do not count as questions or guesses for the purposes of the total count, or the two consecutive questions/guesses rule.
11. If someone guesses a character who has already been a correct answer in 20 Questions before, that guess will not be counted as a guess.
12. The use of artificial intelligence in the solving process, aside from the AI answers that automatically come up on search results, is not permitted.
For game history, see here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uXCl7ynaYyUH86zL98dIx8Bbo9WEJCqFnFFsfGg8vz4/edit?usp=sharing
(Removing rule 13 because I have not been convinced that it is a good idea.)
0. The purpose of this game is for the Question Master (QM) to select an entity to be guessed, and for the contestants to deduce the identity of this entity by asking a series of questions.
1. Only binary (yes/no) questions may be asked. Conditional questions are allowed, but conditional guesses are NOT allowed.
2. If the QM cannot determine with reasonable certainty whether the answer to a particular question is "Yes." or "No.", they will simply reply with "Pass". Questions that are answered in this way will not count towards the twenty-question limit, but all other binary questions will count towards the limit. Re-asking passed questions verbatim is not allowed, but contestants are welcome to rephrase passed questions and ask those. The QM is permitted to use discretion to pass certain questions on principle, but must be transparent about this.
3. Before the twentieth question is answered, one free guess per contestant does not count against the total twenty questions, but additional guesses by the same contestant do.
4. After all twenty questions are answered, there are no more free guesses, and five total guesses (combined among the contestants) shall be allowed.
5. No player shall ask more than two consecutive questions, where a guess (free or unfree) counts as a question. EG: If Player A asks a question; and Player B makes a guess; Player A may go next with up to two questions. This means you cannot ask 2 questions and then follow it up with a guess.
6. The Question Master may choose entities real or fictional that are not horribly obscure, so long as they are not repeats.
7. Whoever guesses correctly takes over from the previous question master; if they do not want to do it, they may choose someone else provided they are willing.
8. In the unlikely event the question master remains undefeated three times in a row they must choose someone else to be the next QM (provided they are willing).
9. If terminology in a question is undefined, the QM defines it however they think is most reasonable (or may ask the questioner to clarify or re-phrase the question). Questions regarding the methodology used do not count towards the 20 questions and best come with an example figure.
10. A contestant can "scratch" their own question or guess before it is answered. Scratched questions and guesses do not count as questions or guesses for the purposes of the total count, or the two consecutive questions/guesses rule.
11. If someone guesses a character who has already been a correct answer in 20 Questions before, that guess will not be counted as a guess.
12. The use of artificial intelligence in the solving process, aside from the AI answers that automatically come up on search results, is not permitted.
For game history, see here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uXCl7ynaYyUH86zL98dIx8Bbo9WEJCqFnFFsfGg8vz4/edit?usp=sharing
(Removing rule 13 because I have not been convinced that it is a good idea.)
