Sketch Round or Cover Word?
Both games come with Gather. Here’s how they differ and when each one fits better.
The key differences
- From 11 players on, only Cover Word works: it goes up to 12 players, Sketch Round only up to 10.
- Cover Word needs at least 4 players – with fewer people, only Sketch Round works.
- Cover Word is played in teams; in Sketch Round everyone plays for themselves.
- Sketch Round works from age 7, we recommend Cover Word from 10.
- Sketch Round is over sooner: usually 10–20 minutes, while Cover Word takes 15–30 minutes.
- Sketch Round is quicker to learn than Cover Word (explained in a minute vs. quick to learn).
- Cover Word has more interaction than Sketch Round (constant debate vs. lots of back and forth).
At a glance
| At a glance | Sketch Round | Cover Word |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Party games | Party games |
| Players | 3–10 players | 4–12 players |
| Length of a game | 10–20 min | 15–30 min |
| Age | ages 7+ | ages 10+ |
| Luck or skill | mostly skill | mostly skill |
| Noise level | loud | loud |
| Learning curve | explained in a minute | quick to learn |
| Interaction | lots of back and forth | constant debate |
| TV | needed | needed |
| Against the computer | no | no |
| Teams | no | yes |
| Bluffing | no | no |
| Reading needed | yes | yes |
Which one suits you?
Sketch Round
One person draws on their phone while everyone else watches the picture appear live on the TV and types a guess. Faster correct guesses score more – and the worst drawings tend to be the funniest.
Pick Sketch Round when three to ten people are gathered around a TV and like to laugh.
Cover Word
Two teams, 25 words on the TV, and only the clue givers know which belong to whom. One word and one number have to steer their team to several cards – and away from the trap.
Pick Cover Word when there are at least four of you and you enjoy lateral thinking.
What they have in common
- Both work for 4–10 players.
- Both are Party games.
- Both need a game table: Apple TV, iPad or Mac.
- In both, everyone has secret information on their own phone.
- Both come free with Gather and need no account.