History Main / RulesSpiel

* A non-game-show example in the [[Film/HarryPotter film]] of ''Literature/HarryPotterAndThePhilosophersStone'', delivered by the commentator for the school's first game of [[FictionalSport Quidditch]]: ''"The Bludgers are up… followed by the GoldenSnitch. Remember, the Snitch is worth 150 points. The Seeker who catches the Snitch ends the game."'' This veers into AsYouKnow territory given that Quidditch is the wizarding world's most popular (and only) sport -- but perhaps he's doing it for the benefit of muffle-born first-years like Hermione.

--> '''Joker A''': Today we'll be working as X.
--> '''Joker B''': While working as X, we'll have to do and say whatever the other guys tell us.
--> '''Joker C''': And if you refuse, you lose!
--> '''Joker D''': [''Insert joke here''] (Once they literally said "Insert joke here.")

--> '''Host''': "When you see two words that match, hit your buzzer. $2,000 if you're right, but you lose $2,000 if you're wrong. And don't forget..."
--> '''Voice''': "Remember the clue..."
--> '''Host''': "Not every match is going to be exact. It's got to be a match that fits this clue..."

--> "Now pay attention, and don't screw this up. If you think you know the answer, buzz in, then hit 1, 2, 3, or 4 that matches what you think the answer is. Got it?"

--> ''"Now pay attention, and don't screw this up. If you think you know the answer, buzz in, then hit 1, 2, 3, or 4 that matches what you think the answer is. Got it?"

* ''Series/BigBreak'': The tireless John Virgo gives one for the first round, "Red Hot": ''"...Pot as many balls as you can."''

* ''Series/TheWeakestLink'': ''"Now, the rules: In each round, the aim is to answer enough questions correctly to reach your (insert money amount here) target within the time limit. (There are X of you, so) the fastest way to reach that target is with a chain of X correct answers. Get your question wrong and you break the chain, and lose all the money in that chain. But if you say the word 'Bank' before your question is asked, the money will be safe; however, you start a new chain from scratch/brand new chain. Remember, at the end of the round, only money that has been banked will be taken forward/carried over to the next round)."''

** The 1973 revival: ''"You two contestants will be answering questions in an attempt to match as many of our celebrities as you can. You'll have two chances; the one who matches the most celebrities after the second round wins the game, gets $100, and goes on to the Super-Match where you can win over $5000."''

* ''Series/TheWeakestLink'': ''"Now, the rules: In each round, the aim is to answer enough questions correctly to reach your (insert money amount here) target within the time limit. (There are X of you, so) the fastest way to reach that target is with a chain of X correct answers. Get your question wrong and you break the chain, and lose all the money in that chain. But if you say the word 'Bank' before your question is asked, the money will be safe; however, you start a new chain from scratch (/brand new chain). Remember, at the end of the round, only money that has been banked will be taken forward (/carried over to the next round)."''

* ''Series/WhoWantsToBeAMillionaire'': ''"You're sitting in our hot seat, just 15 questions away from one million dollars. The rules are quite simple: the more questions you get right, the more money you win. Once you reach the $1000 or the $32,000 level, you are guaranteed to leave with at least that much money."'' Reege would then go into explaining the {{lifelines}}. By the time the show went into its full-time run in 2000, this was just condensed to ''"You know the rules, you know the Lifelines, let's play."''

* ''Series/YouDontSay'': ''Object is to get your partner to say a name by giving the clues in the form of a statement leaving off the last word which can sound like, but not be spelled like, any part of the name. '''That's''' the word you '''don't''' say''.

* ''Series/TheWeakestLink'': ''"Now, the rules: In each round, the aim is to answer enough questions correctly to reach your (insert money amount here) target within the time limit. There are X of you, so the fastest way to reach that target is with a chain of X correct answers. Get your question wrong and you break the chain, and lose all the money in that chain. But if you say the word 'Bank' before your question is asked, the money will be safe; however, you start a brand new chain. Remember, at the end of the round, only money that has been banked will be carried over to the next round."''
** "The first question is for (insert money amount here). Start the clock."

* A non-game-show example in the [[Film/HarryPotter film]] of ''Literature/HarryPotterAndThePhilosophersStone'', delivered by the commentator for the school's first game of [[FictionalSport Quidditch]]: ''"The Bludgers are up… followed by the GoldenSnitch. Remember, the Snitch is worth 150 points. The Seeker who catches the Snitch ends the game."'' Perhaps in the film continuity, the game is a much more recent invention?

This trope has also been used in countless video games during their [[AttractMode attract modes]]; especially arcade games, and especially during UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeofVideoGames (and this is in addition to the instruction cards that appear in the cabinets).[[note]]In many (but not all) cases, this trope is acted out rather than explained verbally (i.e., with text).[[/note]] To list every one here might require a page of it's own...

* Done on ''Series/TheChase'', with the host explaining how to play the cash builder, main chase/table and the final chase. It's been condensed a bit in later series, given how long the show's now been running.