This game is based on the multiplication table for five. Players sit in a circle and count from left to right, starting with the number one. When the number five or any multiple of five comes up, the word “Fizz” is called out instead. The first player would begin by calling out “One!” The next would call “Two!” The game continues with “Three!” “Four!” “Fizz!” “Six!” “Seven!” “Eight!” “Nine!” “Fizz!” and so on. The game may also be played having the player who says “Fizz!” quickly stand up and sit down. If the circle gets as far as the number 55 (“Fizz-fizz!”) the player bobs up and down twice. Any player who hesitates too long or who incorrectly calls out “Fizz!” or a number is given a penalty point and the game starts all over again. After about ten minutes of play the player with the fewest number of penalty point is the Fizz champion.
Variations: In Buzz any number which has a seven in it, or which is a multiple of seven (like 14 or 21), requires that the player whose turn it is call out “Buzz!” In addition, whenever “Buzz!” is called, the direction of the number calling is reversed. If the game progresses into the 70s, the counting changes to “Buzz-one,” “Buzz-two,” and so on. Whenever a player makes a mistake, he gets one penalty point and starts the game from the beginning again. In Fizz-Buzz any five or multiple of five calls for a “Fizz!” Any seven or multiple of seven calls for a “Buzz!” and a change of direction in the number calling. A number that is a multiple of both five and seven, like 35, would call for “Fizz-buzz!” to be called out, followed by a change in direction.
