You have probably seen the game on a friend’s coffee table or in a party stack next to the snacks. What Do You Meme? has become a go-to party game for groups who love internet culture.

4 related posts

Players: 3 to 20 ·
Age range: 17+ (Adult Edition); 8+ (Family Edition) ·
Average round time: 30–60 minutes ·
Cards in core deck: 300+ caption cards, 75 photo cards ·
Publisher: Jerry Media ·
Year released: 2016

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact number of cards in each printing may vary
  • Some retailers list different age recommendations
  • Exact distribution of caption vs photo cards in Family Edition not specified
  • After Hours Expansion release year not confirmed in sources
  • Player count for Family Edition sometimes listed as 3+ but may vary
  • The Family Edition launch year is not officially documented
3Timeline signal
  • Game first released in 2016 (Wikipedia entry for What Do You Meme?)
  • Family Edition launched later (year not specified in sources)
4What’s next
  • New expansion packs continue to add content
  • The game’s popularity keeps it stocked in major retailers
The trade-off

What Do You Meme? trades strategic depth for instant social laughs. The core mechanic – a rotating judge picking the funniest caption – keeps the game moving fast, but it also means no two rounds feel the same. For groups that want a low‑stakes icebreaker, the trade‑off works in its favor.

Six key facts, one pattern: the game adapts to the audience. The Adult Edition skews mature, while the Family Edition keeps things clean. Here is how they compare on paper.

Fact Value
Publisher Jerry Media
Release year 2016
Player count 3–20
Ages (Adult Edition) 17+
Ages (Family Edition) 8+
Average play time 30–60 minutes

The implication: the publisher’s background directly influences the game’s tone and target audience.

What is What Do You Meme?

Overview of the game

At its simplest, What Do You Meme? is a party card game where players match text captions to random photos to create funny memes. The game taps into the same rhythm as internet meme culture but brings it to the table. As the Wikipedia entry for What Do You Meme? explains, it is published by Jerry Media and was released in 2016.

Who publishes it

Jerry Media, a media company with a strong online presence, publishes the game. The company is also known for operating the popular @fuckjerry Instagram account. The game’s brand aligns with internet meme aesthetics, which helps it reach a wide, young‑adult audience. (Wikipedia entry for What Do You Meme?)

Why this matters

Because the publisher comes from the influencer space, the game relies heavily on social sharing and visual punchlines. That means the game’s appeal depends on your group’s sense of humor – not on intricate rules.

How do you play What Do You Meme?

Setup and dealing

According to the Official rules PDF from Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, each player draws 7 caption cards at the start of play. The player with the most Instagram followers typically starts as judge. The judge selects a Photo Card, shows it to the table, and places it on the easel for the round.

Round structure

  • All non‑judge players choose one caption card from their hand and pass it face down to the judge. (Official rules PDF from Buffalo & Erie County Public Library)
  • The judge shuffles the submitted caption cards and reads them aloud one at a time. (Official rules PDF from Buffalo & Erie County Public Library)
  • The judge chooses the funniest caption card. That player wins the round and keeps the Photo Card as a trophy worth 1 point. (Official rules PDF from Buffalo & Erie County Public Library)
  • After each round everyone draws back up to 7 caption cards, and the player to the judge’s left becomes the new judge. (Official rules PDF from Buffalo & Erie County Public Library)

Scoring and winning

The game’s official instructions say to “keep playing until you get hungry and then stop and order a pizza.” (Official rules PDF from Buffalo & Erie County Public Library) In practice, most groups set a limit of rounds or a point target. The player with the most Photo Cards at the end wins.

Bottom line: What Do You Meme? is a low‑rules icebreaker. New players: expect to learn in one round. Groups that want a quick laugh: this is your game. Groups that prefer deep strategy: look elsewhere.

What this means: the game’s low barrier to entry is its main selling point.

Is What Do You Meme explicit?

Adult Edition content

The Adult Edition official rules PDF carries an age recommendation of 17+ and contains mature language, sexual innuendo, and adult themes. The game is designed for adults and is not suitable for younger players.

Family Edition content

The Whitworth University Library guide for the Family Edition notes that the content is clean and family‑friendly. It is rated for ages 8+ and contains no explicit material. The deck includes 365 cards, all appropriate for children and families.

Age recommendations

The Adult Edition is strictly 17+. The Family Edition is 8+. There is no “teen” edition, so a group with mixed ages should use the Family Edition to keep everyone comfortable.

What does freestyle mean in What Do You Meme?

Freestyle rule explanation

The Official rules PDF from Buffalo & Erie County Public Library explain that if someone plays a Freestyle card, all players must make up a caption on the spot instead of choosing one from their hand. This is an optional variant that adds creativity and unpredictability.

How to use freestyle cards

Freestyle cards are included in the Adult Edition deck. When a player plays one, every player (including the judge) writes a custom caption on a piece of paper or says it aloud. The judge then chooses the best spontaneous caption. This rule is not present in the Family Edition. (Official rules PDF from Buffalo & Erie County Public Library)

How many cards does each person get in What Do You Meme?

Dealing rules

As stated in the Official rules PDF from Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, each player receives 7 caption cards at the start of the game. After each round, players draw back to 7 cards.

Card counts for different editions

  • Adult Edition: 300+ caption cards, 75 photo cards
  • Family Edition: 365 cards total (mix of captions and photos) (Whitworth University Library guide)
  • After Hours Expansion: 150 explicit cards (Wikipedia entry for What Do You Meme?)

Three editions, one pattern: the card count and content filter match the intended audience. The Adult Edition packs more variety; the Family Edition keeps it simpler.

Specification Adult Edition Family Edition After Hours Expansion
Players 3–20 3–20 3–20 (requires core set)
Ages 17+ 8+ 18+ (explicit)
Caption cards 300+ 365 total cards 150 cards
Photo cards 75 included in total 0 (uses core photos)
Play time 30–60 min 30–90 min (Whitworth University Library guide) varies
Mechanics Hand management, player judge, action selection (Whitworth University Library guide) Same Same
Freestyle variant Yes No No
Publisher Jerry Media Jerry Media Jerry Media

The pattern: card counts and content reflect the intended audience.

Step-by-Step Gameplay Guide

If you are setting up a game for the first time, follow these steps based on the Official rules PDF from Buffalo & Erie County Public Library.

  1. Shuffle the decks – Separate the big photo cards and the small caption cards into two piles.
  2. Deal caption cards – Give each player 7 caption cards face‑down.
  3. Choose a judge – The player with the most Instagram followers starts as judge (or use any tiebreaker).
  4. Start a round – The judge draws one photo card and places it on the easel so everyone can see it.
  5. Submit captions – All other players pick one caption card from their hand and pass it face‑down to the judge.
  6. Judge reads aloud – The judge shuffles the submitted cards and reads each one in combination with the photo.
  7. Pick the winner – The judge chooses the funniest pairing. That player takes the photo card as a 1‑point trophy.
  8. Refill hands – Everyone draws back to 7 caption cards. The judge passes the job to the player on the left.
  9. Repeat – Keep going until your group decides to stop (the official rules suggest ordering pizza when hungry).

If you want a faster game, you can set a timer or stop after each player has been judge twice.

Clarity: What Is Confirmed and What Is Not

Confirmed facts

  • What Do You Meme? is published by Jerry Media (Wikipedia entry for What Do You Meme?)
  • The game was released in 2016 (Wikipedia entry for What Do You Meme?)
  • Adult Edition is rated 17+ (Official rules PDF from Buffalo & Erie County Public Library)
  • Family Edition is rated 8+ (Whitworth University Library guide)
  • Each player starts with 7 caption cards (Official rules PDF from Buffalo & Erie County Public Library)
  • Freestyle variant exists in the Adult Edition (Official rules PDF from Buffalo & Erie County Public Library)

What’s unclear

  • Exact card counts may vary between print runs
  • Some retailers list different age suggestions for the same edition
  • The exact year the Family Edition launched is not officially documented
The catch

Because the Adult Edition’s content can be quite crude, buying the wrong version for a mixed‑age party can kill the mood. Always check the edition before opening the box – the Family Edition is the safer bet for younger crowds.

The catch: choosing the wrong edition can ruin the party.

What Others Say About What Do You Meme?

What Do You Meme? is a party card game that combines internet memes with in‑person gameplay. Players compete to create the funniest memes by pairing caption cards with the photo card chosen by the rotating judge.

Wikipedia entry for What Do You Meme? (Tier 2 source)

The objective of the game is to create the funniest meme by matching a caption to a photo. The judge decides which caption makes the best meme and awards a point to the winning player.

Official rules PDF from Buffalo & Erie County Public Library (Tier 1 source)

The game’s simplicity is exactly what makes it work: no app, no batteries, just a deck of cards and a group willing to laugh.

For groups that enjoy this kind of quick‑fire humor, there are other party games worth knowing. You might also enjoy Play Tic Tac Toe Online Free for a different kind of light competition, or check out our Need for Speed Unbound: Reviews, Worth It & Heat Comparison for a racing‑themed entertainment swap.

Additional sources

classpop.com, youtube.com

For a complete breakdown of the standard gameplay mechanics, see our main rules guide which covers the official setup and scoring in detail.

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

Can you play What Do You Meme with two players?

The official rules recommend 3–20 players because a judge plus at least two contestants creates better competition. With two players, you can still play informally, but the round dynamics change significantly.

What is the difference between What Do You Meme and Cards Against Humanity?

Both are party games with a similar “judge picks the funniest answer” structure. What Do You Meme? uses photo cards with visual punchlines, while Cards Against Humanity uses all‑text cards. The tone of What Do You Meme? leans on internet culture; Cards Against Humanity is darker and more absurd.

How do you win What Do You Meme?

The player with the most Photo Cards (each worth 1 point) at the end of the agreed number of rounds wins. Some groups play to a specific point total, like 5 points.

Are there expansion packs for What Do You Meme?

Yes. The After Hours Expansion adds 150 explicit cards. Other themed packs may be available from the publisher. (Wikipedia entry for What Do You Meme?)

What is the best strategy for What Do You Meme?

Since the judge changes each round, the best strategy is to read the judge’s sense of humor and tailor your caption to their style. Observing what previous judges found funny helps. Freestyle cards can be a risk – they work best when you trust your improvisation.

Can you play What Do You Meme online?

The core game is a physical product, but some groups play remotely by using video chat and sharing the photo card on screen. There is no official digital version.

How do you become the judge in What Do You Meme?

The first judge is the player with the most Instagram followers. After each round, the role passes to the player on the left of the current judge. (Official rules PDF from Buffalo & Erie County Public Library)

What Do You Meme? fills a simple need: a social icebreaker that gets people laughing without requiring strategy or preparation. For hosts looking for a party game that works across age groups, the Family Edition is the safest choice. For an adult‑only gathering, the Adult Edition delivers exactly what its name promises. The choice between editions is the single most important decision when buying this game. For the buyer in a household with both teens and adults, the implication is clear: pick the Family Edition, or prepare for awkward moments.