Core Concepts
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Before diving into features, here’s a quick overview of the key concepts you’ll encounter in Keeping Score!
Players & Teams
Section titled “Players & Teams”Every game needs at least two participants. You can add:
- Players — Individual competitors. Type a name or pick from saved personas.
- Teams — Groups of players that score together. Each team has its own name, members, and ranking.
Players and teams are collectively called “participants” throughout the app.
Scoring Modes
Section titled “Scoring Modes”How winners are determined. Choose one when creating a game:
| Mode | How It Works | Example Games |
|---|---|---|
| Highest Wins | Highest score wins (default) | Scrabble, Trivia |
| Lowest Wins | Lowest score wins | Golf, Hearts |
| Win/Draw/Lose | Track outcomes, not numbers | Tournament brackets, Kids games |
| Point Exchange | Zero-sum — points given = points taken | Poker, Rummy |
Learn more in Scoring Modes.
Rounds
Section titled “Rounds”Games can optionally be played in rounds. At the end of each round:
- Player scores are snapshot and recorded
- Scores reset for the next round
- A cumulative leaderboard tracks totals across all rounds
Perfect for games like Yahtzee, Phase 10, or any multi-hand card game. Learn more in Rounds.
End Conditions
Section titled “End Conditions”Choose when a game ends:
| Condition | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Open-ended | You finish manually whenever you’re done |
| Target Score | Game ends when any player reaches a set score |
| Total Scored | Game ends when the combined score hits a target |
| Timed | Countdown timer — game ends when time runs out |
End conditions can also apply per-round. Learn more in End Conditions.
Personas
Section titled “Personas”Reusable player profiles that persist across games:
- Pick an emoji avatar and a color
- Track game statistics (games played, wins) over time
- Organize into groups (e.g., “Family”, “Poker Night Crew”)
- Sync across devices via iCloud
Personas save time — instead of retyping names, select from your library. Learn more in Personas.
Game States
Section titled “Game States”A game is either Playing or Finished:
- Playing — Active game, scores can be updated
- Finished — Game is complete, winner is crowned with confetti
- You can reopen a finished game to resume scoring
- You can rematch to start a new game with the same players
Game Nights
Section titled “Game Nights”Group multiple games into a session with a fixed set of players. The app tracks wins across all games in the night to determine an overall winner. Learn more in Game Nights.
Next Steps
Section titled “Next Steps”- Navigating the App — Find your way around the interface
- Family Game Night — A complete walkthrough of a typical session