SHH (2015) Board Game – Board Game Guys

SHH is a word game designed by Chris Handy and released in in 2015. It is a deduction and spelling game that can be played by 2 to 4 players, with a recommended age of 10 and up. The game is all about cooperative play and hand management, where players work together to spell out words without using certain letters.

Game Components of SHH

26 letter cards

4 pass cards

Communal vowels.

How To Setup SHH

To set up SHH, place the communal vowels in the center of the table, ensuring the side marked “+1” is facing down. Shuffle the remaining cards and distribute them evenly among the players. Each player also receives a pass card. The vowels are placed in a central area, accessible to all players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Cooperative gameplay

Silent play (no communication between players)

Word-building

Voting mechanism for word validation

Game Objective

Players work together to form words using the letters in their hands and the communal vowels.

The goal is to rid players’ hands of as many letters as possible by forming valid words.

Words must be at least three letters long; words with five letters or more flip the vowels to their scoring side, earning extra points.

Players can use pass cards to skip their turn, allowing another player to continue building the word.

Player Experience

SHH offers a unique cooperative experience where players must rely on intuition and observation to build words without communicating. The game is easy to teach and fun to play, making it an excellent introduction to word games and cooperative gameplay. It is particularly enjoyable for teachers and those looking to improve their word formation skills. However, aiming for a perfect score of 26 points is unrealistic, especially with more players; a reasonable good score is in the teens.

Pros

Cooperative gameplay promotes teamwork

Encourages word formation and vocabulary skills

Compact and portable

Inexpensive ($6-$7)

Easy to learn and teach

Suitable for introducing kids to word games.

Cons

Limited communication can be challenging

Higher player counts reduce the likelihood of high scores

No official rules for combining multiple packs of the game.

Personal Thoughts on SHH

SHH is an excellent addition to any collaborative player’s game collection. It is ideal for families, teachers, and those new to board games, as it teaches word formation and promotes teamwork in a silent, cooperative environment. While it may not be the best fit for large groups or competitive players, it shines in its unique design and portability, making it a worthwhile and fun game to have on hand.

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