A Complete Guide

For ages 21 and older

Chardee MacDennis

THE GAME OF GAMES

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ContentsWHAT IS CHARDEE MACDENNIS?........................................................................................................................ 2

A BRIEF DISCLAIMER........................................................................................................................................... 3

WHAT YOU NEED................................................................................................................................................ 4

ALCOHOL................................................................................................................................................................... 4

CHEESE......................................................................................................................................................................4

TIMER........................................................................................................................................................................4

GAME PIECES..............................................................................................................................................................4

TEAM PHOTO AND NAME..............................................................................................................................................5

GAME BOARD..............................................................................................................................................................6

CARDS.......................................................................................................................................................................7

MISCELLANEOUS........................................................................................................................................................10

GENERAL RULES................................................................................................................................................ 12

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME.................................................................................................................................. 13

PRE-ROUND ETIQUETTE...............................................................................................................................................13

GAMEPLAY...............................................................................................................................................................14

BREAKS....................................................................................................................................................................16

HOW TO WIN...........................................................................................................................................................17

WINNING PRIZE.........................................................................................................................................................17

BACK TO REALITY.............................................................................................................................................. 18

References.................................................................................................................................................................19

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What is Chardee MacDennis?Chardee MacDennis is a fictional game of drinking, pain, trivia, and endurance made famous by the hit show It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. As Charlie Kelly puts it, “It’s not a just a game, it’s a war.” It is recommended you watch the episode to familiarize yourself with the style of humor prior to playing the game. It is available at this time on Netflix and Amazon Prime.

A word of caution! The game is for players 21 and older due to the heavy alcohol orientation and it is not intended for the weak, sick, pregnant, nursing, emotionally or physically fragile, dull, or sober. Chardee MacDennis tests the players’ minds, bodies, and spirits in a dark and brutal showdown of wits and chance.

This manual will provide the rules of Chardee MacDennis, basic gameplay guidelines, and several examples from the show. Most of the work, however, comes from your own dark and twisted psyche.

Do you have what it takes?

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A Brief DisclaimerIf you have not already been scared away, here is a disclaimer for the faint-of-heart who are still sticking around. Before you decide to commit, it must be emphasize to you that this is not an ordinary game. Before you begin gameplay, it is necessary to understand the true nature of Chardee MacDennis. As Dee puts it, “it’s about to get real dark, real fast.”

Depending on your own application and interpretation of the game cards, this game can be intensely dangerous and scarring, both physically and emotionally. Please use caution when making your cards and remember, you are the creator of this individual game. These are guidelines, suggestions, and rules based on Season 7, Episode 7 of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, but the actual content is up to you. By using this manual, you are accepting full responsibility of the possible negative consequences that may arise during gameplay, such as injuries, fights, grudges, break-ups, hospitalization, and jail. So please, try not to get into too much trouble, stay safe, and keep

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the game inside as much as possible. Most importantly, have fun!

Now, if you’re still in, let’s take a look at what you will be needing.

What You NeedSince Chardee MacDennis is, by nature, a fictional and highly irrational game, you and your fellow players will need to create most of the game materials yourselves. These materials can be as cheap or exquisite as you choose, so whether you’re poor or filthy rich, you can adapt the game to fit your lifestyles and personalities. Hey, everyone needs some rainy-day stimulation sometimes.

Here is a comprehensive list of all the supplies needed.

Alcohol You will need a bottle of wine, a bottle of hard liquor, and some beer of your choice. Depending on the number of players, you may need more or less. Different levels call for different types of alcohol, as outlined in the “How to Play the Game” section.

CheeseAs with all good sportsmanship, the pre-round ritual of wine and cheese is crucial. Choose a type the whole team can agree upon.

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TimerActual gameplay for Chardee MacDennis is only 15 minutes, but there are frequent breaks and time-outs. Make sure you have a timer or stopwatch so you know where you are.

Game PiecesEach player has their own game piece. These can be practically anything, but the most popular game pieces are dolls and action figures. Keep in mind, depending on the outcome of the game, your game piece might not survive. It is recommended you do not choose something sentimental. More on this is illustrated towards the end of this manual in the “Winning Prize” section. (continued on page 5)

To give you an idea, here are a couple examples of winning (left) versus losing (right) game pieces.

Photos courtesy of dryedmangoez.com

Team Photo and NameYou may choose to have a team photo taken, but this is optional. Make sure you do choose a team name, which can be anything from “The Golden Geese” to “Puss Rash,” as demonstrated by the

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episode. There are two teams in Chardee MacDennis so split yourselves up accordingly. If you choose to take a team photo, here are some examples, just to give you an idea. Note your team photo doesn’t actually have to have anything to do with, well, really anything at all.

Photos courtesy of dryedmangoez.com

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Game boardThis one may require the most handiwork depending on your level of commitment and expertise. The board is simple and consist of three circular zones that represent the different phases of the game. Level One is the “Mind” phase, Level Two is the “Body” phase, and Level Three is the “Spirit” phase. You may either make this cheaply out of cardboard or paper, or you can make it from wood like the one depicted in the show. If you make it out of wood, please remember to nail it down because someone (like Mac) may become frustrated and try to throw it. Pictured below is a replica of the original board used in the show and, if you want the real thing, you can purchase it at shop.fxnetworks.com.

Photo courtesy of shop.fxnetworks.com

CardsAll of the challenges in Chardee MacDennis are based on cards drawn in each of the different phases. It is best you create these as a group since they are often highly subjective to the preferences and dynamics of the group as a whole. If some of the cards are completely irrational and opinion-based, that’s ok! Really, it is often “more of a memory game anyways.”

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If you would like, you can make some cards “all-plays,” meaning every player can simultaneously try to complete the challenge and the first one finished wins the card for their team.

The Mind: Trivia, Puzzles, and ArtistryYour Level One cards will be the “mind” stage of the game.

Some of these are trivia-based and are often pure memorization. A couple examples from the show are “What is the greatest band in the world?” and “Dennis is asshole. Why Charlie hate?” The answers to these, of course, would be “Chumbawumba” and “because Dennis is a bastard man.” You can make these cards as ludicrous as you choose, but if you want to play the game in the future with other friends, it is recommended you have at least some real trivia.

The second type of mind cards are puzzles. You can create word puzzles, number puzzles, mazes, riddles or anything that involves some form of analytical and critical thinking skills.

The third kind of mind card is artistry. These challenges include things like drawing a picture on your teammate’s back and having them guess what it is based on feel. Think along the lines of drawing games like Pictionary for these challenges.

The Body: Physical Challenges, Pain, and EnduranceYour Level Two cards will be the “body” stage, which determine the physical challenges of the game. Some examples may be the

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“grape gobble,” where the opponents try to see how many grapes they can pick up and fit in their mouth without using their hands.

Other types of body cards may involve endurance and physical pain, like seeing if you can race around the block in less than 3 minutes or trying to withstand an intense Indian burn for at least 30 seconds.

One example of a body card may be a flinching challenge, like in the example from the show where one opponent puts their hand on a dartboard and loses if they flinch while the other team throws the darts. As you can see, Dennis is a pro with this challenge. The photo also illustrates why a first-aid kit is necessary.

Photo courtesy of dryedmangoez.com

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The Spirit: Emotional Battery and Public HumiliationYour Level Three cards will be “spirit” cards, which are based on public humiliation and emotional battery. These can be as silly or mean and you wish them to be. If you choose to be truly mean, make sure everyone on the team agrees to the conditions and understands that it is in the nature of the game.

An example of emotional battery from the show involves one team berating another player for a specific period of time and if they cry, they lose.

Other examples may include things like public streaking or Fear Factor-esque “food” challenges. Get creative!

ChanceLike in Monopoly, Chardee MacDennis has “chance” cards that may or may not be favorable and can be randomly distributed within each of the three levels. Unlike Monopoly chance cards, these cards often reflect the dark and malicious nature of Chardee MacDennis. Examples of these may include “eat this card” or “take everyone’s money.” The one required chance card is “go to jail,” which will be explained later.

Black CardIn case the teams are tied when the timer goes off, the black card contains the sudden-death challenge that determines the winner. In the show, the black card says to flip a coin. If that is too simple

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for you, you can make the black card as menacing or difficult as you wish.

MiscellaneousCake IngredientsFor the “go to jail” chance card, you will need the ingredients for a cake, not an actual cake.

If you have never baked a cake and have no idea what the ingredients would be, here are some basic suggestions.

Flour Sugar Butter Eggs (if you’re hardcore) Baking powder Milk

KennelYou will also need a dog kennel, cage, or some sort of small enclosed area to act as the “jail” for the “go to jail” chance card. This should be just big enough so that a player can fit inside.

Pens/Paper/UtensilsIf any of your challenges involve writing or drawing, make sure you have all the necessary office supplies available at your disposal.

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First Aid and SafetyAt some point in the game, depending on the challenges you create, injuries may (and likely will) occur. It is recommended you keep a basic first-aid kit on hand at all times. On the next page are some suggestions on what to include.

Bandages/gauze Antibiotic ointment Burn cream Scissors Tweezers Ibuprofen or aspirin

Tip: It is recommended you keep water on-hand and try to remain hydrated. The game can get physically intense and, coupled with the drinking, can leave you very dehydrated very quickly. Better safe than sorry.

Other Elements and CreativitySince this game is based primarily off dialogue in a half-hour-long show, it is difficult to make this manual as comprehensive as most traditional, mass-marketed games. Because of this, there is a lot more potential to the game that requires some creativity from its creator. If you feel adding a new rule, taking away an element, or creating a new level would be beneficial to gameplay, by all means do so. Play around, have fun with it, and make it your own. Remember, these are just guidelines.

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Now, let’s look at the basic rules.

General RulesHere is a list of general rules to follow throughout gameplay. Some new rules are presented in each phase and will be outlined in the “How to Play the Game” section as they are introduced.

No questions. Anytime a player asks a question while the timer is running, their team has to drink for five seconds.

No party fouls. If a player spills his or her drink, their team has to chug the other team’s drinks.

When one team completes a challenge or answers a question correctly from a card, the other team must drink.

Cheating is accepted and is very much a part of the game, just don’t get caught. If you are caught cheating and the other team is behind you, they automatically

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advance to your level. If they are equal to or ahead of you, they move to the next level up.

Now that the general rules are in place, let’s play!

How to Play the GameFinally, we’re here! If you’re still committed, you are a brave individual. You probably have a pretty good idea of how the game works by now, but let’s go through step by step and see how it all comes together.

Pre-round EtiquetteWine and CheeseBefore starting the game and before each round, there is a 2-minute wine and cheese reception in order to show good sportsmanship. Speak courteously to your opponents and enjoy their company while you can, for there may be difficulty coming

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back from the darkness of what is about to ensue. At this time, put 15 minutes on the timer.

IntimidationAs soon as the wine and cheese reception is over, move on to the intimidation phase. You may choose to smash your wine glasses on the floor, or simply set them down, and forcefully begin exhibiting your Maori War Dance as a way to intimidate you opposing team. The display should be terrifying and violent, as depicted.

When you are finished with your dances, THE GAME BEGINS.

Photos courtesy of dryedmangoez.com

GameplayAt this point, you will start your timer and begin your round.

The objectives are simple. When it is your team’s turn, you will draw a card randomly from whichever level you are currently on. When a team answers a question or completes a challenge correctly, they get to keep the card. Once a team collects a

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certain number of cards, they advance to the next level. Each team starts on Level One: The Mind, and advances from there.

Teams will also get a chance to “steal” if they choose. This means if a team fails a challenge or does not answer their question correctly, the other team has a chance to complete it correctly and get their opponent’s card.

If the card denotes it is an “all play,” each player gets to simultaneously try to complete the challenge or answer the question and earn the card for their team..

The specific requirements of each round are illustrated below.

Level One: The MindAlcohol: Wine

Cards needed to advance: 3

Level Two: The BodyAlcohol: Beer

Cards needed to advance: 2

(Continued on page 15)

New Rules

No cursing from here on. If any player curses, their team has to drink for five seconds.

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If anyone has to drink for five seconds because they asked a question or cursed, the opposing team gets to count for them. They can count as slowly as they wish.

Level Three: The Spirit

Alcohol: Hard liquor

Cards needed to win: 2

“Go to Jail” CardThe “Go to Jail” chance card takes on a much more devious meaning than the traditional Monopoly card. The player who draws this card has to literally go to jail in the cage or kennel illustrated in the “What You Need” section. This player may only be free from the jail after they eat an entire cake…in the raw. Yes, the player will earn their freedom only by consuming the necessary raw ingredients needed to make a cake. During this time, bantering and humiliation is encouraged from other players, which makes this an excellent chance card for Level Three: The Spirit. Below is the “Go to Jail” card in action.

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Photo courtesy of alwayssunnycaps.tumblr.com

BreaksThere are frequent breaks in Chardee MacDennis. During breaks, you are once again allowed to curse and ask questions without repercussions. These breaks occur as follows.

Pre-roundAs already mentioned, there will be wine and cheese receptions, followed by intimidation before each round begins. This is a two-minute time period and does not count against the 15-minute gameplay.

Time-outsEach team is entitled to three timeouts to be taken at will. As a general rule, these timeouts can last up to three minutes.

IntermissionIf you choose, you may have a 10-minute intermission halfway through gameplay. This can be used for bathroom/cigarette breaks, discussing strategy with your teammates, getting back in touch with reality, or making sure you and your opponents are, in fact, still friends.

MedicalOf course, if there are any medical emergencies, which is likely, the clock can be stopped until the issue is resolved.

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How to WinThe game is over once either one team collects their second “Spirit” card or when the timer goes off, whichever comes first. If the 15-minute timer goes off, the team in the lead automatically wins the game.

In Case of a TieIf the timer goes off and both teams are tied, you will enter sudden-death elimination using your “Black Card” you should have created. The winner of this challenge, question, or action of chance will win the game.

Winning PrizeUnlike most games that only come with an intangible sense of satisfaction from defeating your opponent, Chardee MacDennis offers something a bit more palpable. The winning team gets the pleasure of annihilating the other team’s game pieces in any way they see fit. You can throw them, microwave them, burn them, run them over, or just good ol’ fashioned stomp them into the ground. Feels great, doesn’t it?

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Back to RealityDepending on how intense, malicious, and demanding you made your game to be, you may need to take some time once it is over to reflect.

Make sure you try to reconnect with your opponents, just to make sure there are no hard feelings. Unlike most of the characters on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, most of us are not overtly narcissistic sociopaths and we value our relationships with our friends and loved ones.

You also may have discovered some highly unflattering, shameful, and foul parts of your psyche you did not know exist, especially during the “Spirit” phase. Don’t feel too bad. Everyone in the room is probably feeling the same way.

Take some headache medicine, drink some water, and have a laugh. You made it through the dark and dismal game that is Chardee MacDennis.

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ReferencesImages:

<alwayssunnycaps.tumblr.com>

< http://dryedmangoez.com/2011/10/28/its-always-sunny-in-philadelphia-

episode-7-07-chardee-macdennis-the-game-of-games/>

First-Aid kit information:

< http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family/get-kit/anatomy>

Quotes, examples, content:

<McElhenney, Rob. “Chardee MacDennis: The Game of Games,” season 7,

episode 7. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: FX

Networks.>