Family Feud Rules, Explained

For generations, families have gathered in front of their TV sets in living rooms across America to watch one of the country’s most beloved game shows: “Family Feud.”

Some older folks will remember original show host, Richard Dawson. Before hosting “Family Feud,” the British-American actor was well-known as the star of the 1960s sitcom “Hogan’s Heroes” and for his frequent appearances on the popular “Match Game” TV game show. He will always be remembered as the “Family Feud” host who first coined the catchphrase, “Survey Says!” — the lead-in before revealing the answers that 100 people surveyed gave for each “Family Feud” question.

While some things have changed since the show’s debut in 1976 — hosts have come and gone— the fun that occurs when two families duke it out on the Feud “Family Feud” has stayed the same.

Current host Steve Harvey, who has officiated over “Family Feud” since 2010 and the franchise’s spinoff show “Celebrity Family Feud” since 2015, keeps the game show’s audiences in stitches with his unique brand of humor. He is known for his ability to get up-close and personal with each contestant, playing off their answers and unique quirks.

If you’ve ever dreamed of appearing with your own family on the popular television show, or are the kind of uber-fan who is curious about all things “Family Feud” (like who does “Family Feud” survey?), read on to learn about 10 “Family Feud” rules that might surprise you. If you’re keen to appear on the show, you’ll find some information on how to go on “Family Feud,” including tips for applying and getting noticed — and hopefully chosen! — by the show’s producers.

And Finally, if you’re itching to play some “Family Feud” right away, you’ll find information about how you can head over to this popular online version to go against other “Family Feud” fans trying to guess what the latest survey says.

You may think all you have to worry about to be a contestant on “Family Feud” is how to convince your family members to dress up with you in matching outfits or how to be quicker on the draw than your opponents, when it comes to answering questions. While dressing up and answering survey questions are certainly part of being on the show, there’s a bit more to it.

Wondering if you have what it takes to to make it on-air? Here are 9 “Family Feud” tips to follow if you want to participate in the popular game show.

Contestants are expected to be very familiar with how “Family Feud” is played. Actually, to be chosen for the show, you and your family should be able to demonstrate that you are fans of the show and that you know the format and flow of the show. Here’s a run-down of how it all works:

• Two teams of five family members play against each other in every game.
• Each game starts with the face-off round, where one family member from each team comes to the podium to see who can answer a question the fastest and with the most popular answer. If the first to buzz in gets the number one answer, that team gets control of the question and can choose whether to play or pass. If not, the other contestant is given the chance to answer with a higher-ranking response in order to earn control.
• The team that is in control of the question gets to answer the question, with each family member taking a turn. Answers not on the board are given a strike. If the family can guess all of the most popular answers on the board without getting three strikes, they win that round.
• If the family team in control of the board gets three strikes, the question goes to the opposing team, who has just one chance to guess a top survey response to win the round. If they guess wrong, the other family wins the points.
• The team with the most points at the end of all the rounds — typically four, but there is flexibility to add a couple of lightning rounds if needed — plays Fast Money. One family member plays first, while the other is out of earshot backstage. The first player attempts to answer five survey questions in 20 seconds with answers that ranked high among survey responders. A point is given for each response’s correlating number of survey answers. The second member is then asked the same questions with 25 seconds to answer. The goal is to get a combined score of 200 points to win the grand prize.
• All surveys are conducted randomly by a professional polling firm. Respondents don’t know they are being surveyed for “Family Feud.”

You may love your besties like family, but to be on “Family Feud,” they’ve got to be the real deal. Everyone on your team must be related by blood, marriage, or through legal adoption, unless it’s a “specialty” episode.

Every contestant is encouraged to clap and cheer for every single teammate’s answer, even if it’s a really bad answer. Keeping up a high level of enthusiasm and energy is a must. And that can be hard, given the fact that taping lasts all day, especially if you’re on a winning team.

Never ever buzz in before the host finishes asking the question. This is one instance where you’ll have to curb your enthusiasm if you want to avoid the wrath — or at least the side eye — of the show’s host. Even if you’ve got the answer ready, don’t interrupt the host. There also might be a part at the end of the question which could change your answer. So, listen up!

“Family Feud’s” questions have nothing to do with facts or knowledge (except maybe some insight into human nature). Since all the answers are provided through 100-person surveys, the trick is to come up with the most popular answer, not the “right” answer.

While he might be the host, Steve Harvey is not the final arbiter of whether or not an answer matches the survey response. There are executive producers offstage whose job is to closely follow the game and monitor each response. They have the final say about whether an answer counts or not.

Chances are you feel naked without your phone, so this is an important one to mentally prepare for. The minute you step onto set, the producers are going to take your cell phones away. Don’t worry, you’ll get them back after the tapings.

Options, people! Each contestant is required to bring three outfits. Each should be in a bright, solid — and hopefully flattering — color. The producers will evaluate your outfits and help you choose which one you will wear. As far as hair and makeup, you’re on your own, although you might get some help with touch-ups during the breaks.

You probably already knew this one, but because dividing money between loved ones can get complicated. If you win “Family Feud,” be prepared to split that money five ways. Producers automatically divide any winnings up evenly between all team members.

Now that you know some of the rules to follow on the “Family Feud” set, you might be wondering how to sign up for “Family Feud.” You may be surprised to learn that it’s actually pretty easy to apply. Just go online to fill out an application.

While it’s not required, hopeful “Family Feud” contestants are encouraged to create upbeat videos as part of their auditions for “Family Feud.” The videos need to highlight the families’ most endearing and winning attributes. To make a great impression on the “Family Feud’s” show producers, be sure to:

• Have each family member introduce themself. Each should share where they are from, their age, what they do for a living, and about hobbies and interests that might make them particularly interesting to the “Family Feud” audience
• Be high energy in the video. Remember that the best contestants are over-the-top cheerful and enthusiastic. Show the producers just how fun-loving your family can be.
• Put your best feet forward in five minutes or less. You don’t have much time to win the casting crew over, so first impressions are crucial here. Some families pretend that they are answering a survey question in a mock “Family Feud” round, showing off just how clever and fun they can be!

For most families, getting on “Family Feud” is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But you may have noticed that some families seem to be repeat contestants. So why do so many families come back on “Family Feud”? Usually, you’ll see families on the show more than once for one very simple reason: they won. Families come back for up to five games in a row, as long as they keep

winning. That means you could see the same family on TV several days in a row. Once in a while, a losing family might be brought back to compete at a later date, but that is up to the discretion of the producers.

Even if you and your family aren’t chosen to appear on the televised version of “Family Feud” anytime soon, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some “Family Feud” fun at home on your own. You don’t even need to wrangle the family together to enjoy playing the game. You can play “Family Feud” online for free at any time with Arkadium.