On Board / DM HandbookGame references & teaching notes
Game reference

Telestrations

CategoryParty game · Drawing and guessingPlayers4–8 player editionDurationAbout 30 minutes

Full rulebook (English PDF) ↗

01

Overview

A word passes around the table through alternating drawings and guesses. Each player sees only the previous step, and the group reveals the changes at the end.

Edition scope. Based on The Op’s 2025 eight-player rules. Older copies may use a die for prompts and a 60-second drawing timer; follow the edition in the box. This is not Upside Drawn.

02

Objective

Complete and reveal the drawing-and-guessing chains. Scoring is optional; agree on the format before starting.

03

Setup

  • Give each player a sketchbook, dry-erase marker, and prompt card. Write names in the books and remember their colors.
  • Choose prompts privately and write them on the starting page. Pass all books in the same direction.
  • Even number of players: draw your own prompt first. Odd number: pass left after writing your prompt; that player draws page one.
04

How to play

Choose a prompt → even group: draw first / odd group: pass first → alternate drawing and guessing → books return → reveal.

Player actions and turn sequence for Telestrations. The complete rules are provided in the adjacent text.
Player actions and turn sequence for Telestrations. The complete rules are provided in the adjacent text. Open full size. Illustrative symbols are not official game components.

  1. Draw

    Read the word you received and draw it on the next page. Do not use letters or numbers, or leave the page blank.

  2. Pass

    Turn to the next page to hide your work. Wait until everyone is ready, then pass left together.

  3. Guess

    Look only at the preceding drawing and write your guess on the next page. Hide it, then pass together.

  4. Repeat and reveal

    Alternate drawing and guessing until your own book returns. It should end with a written guess. Take turns sharing the whole chain.

Worked example

Umbrella→ drawA big hat→ guessMushroom

A teaching illustration, not a correct answer. During the reveal, focus on where the interpretation changed, not on who drew badly.

05

Ending & scoring

For the first game, use the allowed no-scoring option: a round finishes when the books return and everyone has shared their results. For friendly scoring, each book’s owner awards 1 point to the author of their favorite sketch and 1 to the author of their favorite guess. The owner also gets 1 point if the final guess matches the original prompt. Play 3 rounds; highest total wins. Announce the scoring choice before starting.

Ending and winning conditions for Telestrations. The complete rules are provided in the adjacent text.
Ending and winning conditions for Telestrations. The complete rules are provided in the adjacent text. Open full size. Illustrative symbols are not official game components.
06

Rules to double-check

  • Everyone’s book moves at the same time; this is not a single drawing for the whole table to guess.
  • Only consult the immediately preceding page, not the original prompt.
  • With an odd number, pass once before drawing so the chain finishes with a guess.
  • The new eight-player edition does not require a die or timer. Do not accidentally mix setup instructions from different editions.
07

Sources & edition notes

The Op · 2025 eight-player rulebook ↗

Rules sources checked on 13 November 2026. Teaching scripts and practice tasks are suggested hosting aids. The publisher’s rules and the edition in the box remain the reference for exceptions.