• The aim of the game is to predict as accurately as possible the dance scores of couples. The more accurate your prediction the higher the score you get each week. You also have a selection of optional joker cards that you can play each week to try and win more points.
• The game begins on the first week of competitive dancing (i.e. when the judges start scoring dances). Each week you predict the dance scores for two couples which you select. The game lasts for the whole series so is played across 13 weeks.  The Christmas Special show is NOT included.
• For standard weeks, when couples perform one dance (weeks 1-11) you predict a score out of 40 for each of your two selected couples.
• For the semi-finals, when each couple performs two dances, you predict a score out of 80 for each of your selected couples (2 x 40).
• For the final, when each couple performs three dances, you predict a score out of 120 for each of your selected couples (3 x 40 - exciting!).
• You cannot pick the same couple two weeks running (except for in the final when you can pick any two couples you like!).

• The difference between your predicted scores and the actual scores is calculated (+ and - values do not count - it is simply the overall difference between the two scores). For example if I predict a couple will score 30 and they score 23, the difference is 7. Similarly if I predict a couple will score 23 and they score 30, the difference is 7.
• For standard weeks (weeks 1-11) the total difference for your two predictions is then subtracted from 40.
• E.g A standard game week could look like this:

• In the above example, for a standard game week where couples performed one dance each, the player scored 31 out of 40.
• For the semifinal, when couples dance twice, you predict a score out of 80. As above you total your differences and then subtract from 80 to get your final score. E.g. Semifinal

• The same approach is used for the final BUT you score the couples out of 120 as they dance 3 times. The total difference between predicted and actual scores is then subtracted from 120.
• The lowest you can score in a week is 0. If the difference between your predictions and the actual scores is greater than 40, you do not receive minus points - deductions stop when the score reaches 0.

Weekly bonus points

• If you predict one couple exactly correct you get an extra 5 points
• If you predict both couples exactly correct you get an extra 20 points - and the bragging rights of a ‘perfect prediction score’ - well done!
• There is no upper limit to your weekly score. In fact when bonus points are added it is very possible to score above 40 in a standard week (or 80 in the semi-final and 120 in the final).
• A running total of your score is kept each week - and players are positioned on a Leaderboard.

Each week you can decide whether to play a joker for one of your selected couples, which can potentially earn you some bonus points.

A maximum of one joker can be selected each week (apart from in the final, when the ‘my champion’ joker can also be used), and once you have used a joker category, it cannot be played again for the rest of the series.

As there are eleven categories of ‘regular’ jokers, this means that, if you play the game in all thirteen weeks, there will be two weeks in which you must decide not to select a joker category.

The ‘my champion’ joker type will only be available to select in the week of the final.

The following Jokers are available:

Joker hints

Remember there are 13 game weeks - so you should think about playing a Joker most weeks. Some might be better to play in early shows in the series and some in later shows - so have a think about your strategy.

You can only use one Joker a week, so if you have a number remaining when you get to the final you will not be able to play them all. Use them or lose them!

In weeks where couples perform two or three dances, you have a greater chance of a joker getting you points because it applies to each of the dances your selected couple performs. For example, in the final, if you played 'Couple scores a 10', the couple just needs to get one ten from any of their three dances for you to receive the Joker points.

As much as we love the tried and tested formula of Strictly, things don't always go to plan - unfortunately celebs and pros sometimes get injured and occasionally we get the odd surprise guest popping up as a judge.  In short, our crystal balls aren't strong enough to know when something may occur which throws a spanner into the game rulebook!

If this happens we'll always do our best to find a workaround, and one that is fair to all, but do please bear with us through the process.  Here are a few common 'What ifs?' and our proposed workarounds:

What if one of my couples doesn’t dance? For example say they get injured and pull out the show at the 11th hour, or get a bye?

If that is the case, your score for the remaining couple will be doubled & any joker outstanding applied to that remaining couple.

What if both my couples pull out?

Goodness me - that is bad luck - I’m afraid at the moment you'll get 0!

What if there are 3 or 5 judges one week?

If we know in advance, we'll try and make the changes to the prediction page so you can predict scores out of 30 or 50.  If not - we'll standardise the scores out of 40.

What if I join the game late, say week 3?

Then play for fun and see how much you can catch up!

What if I get the same points as another player in the Leaderboard?

We use Standard Competition Rules ranking to calculate your position.

What if I forget to play one week?

Then you score 0 for that week - but you can join back in the following week.