Navigating the Hilarious World of Meme Cards Without Breaking the Bank

As someone who has hosted more game nights than I can count, I’ve become something of a connoisseur when it comes to party games. And let me tell you, few games have consistently delivered the kind of belly laughs and memorable moments that “What Do You Meme?” has. But after countless rounds played with friends, family, and even awkward work colleagues (those holiday parties, am I right?), I’ve learned there’s actually a science to building your perfect meme card collection.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer wondering which expansion to start with, or a seasoned player looking to refresh your collection, I’ve compiled everything I’ve learned about buying these cards into one comprehensive guide. Let’s dive into the world of caption cards, photo cards, and all the NSFW content you may (or may not) want to add to your game nights!

The Basics: Understanding “What Do You Meme?” Card Types

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of what to buy, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page about what comes in these packs. “What Do You Meme?” is fundamentally a card game where players match caption cards with photo cards to create the funniest meme combination possible. Think of it as Cards Against Humanity, but with visual elements that add another dimension to the humor.

The standard game includes:

• Photo Cards: These feature popular meme images from the internet
• Caption Cards: Text cards that players use to caption the photo cards
• Card stands: To display the current photo card during gameplay
• Rules and instructions: Though honestly, the game is intuitive enough that most people pick it up quickly

What makes this game particularly interesting is how it’s designed to be expanded and customized, which is where the buying decisions come into play.

Core Set vs. Expansions: Where Should You Start?

If you’re new to the “What Do You Meme?” universe, you’ll want to start with the core set. This gives you the foundation of the game with enough cards to play several rounds without repetition. The core set typically includes about 75 photo cards and 360 caption cards.

I still remember buying my first core set back in 2019. I invited friends over, none of whom had played before, and we ended up playing for nearly four hours straight. The core set alone provided enough variety that we didn’t feel like we were seeing the same cards repeatedly, even after several rounds.

However, if you already own the core set or are buying for someone who does, this is where expansions come into play. And let me tell you, this is where things get interesting.

Expansion Packs: Which Ones Are Actually Worth It?

Not all expansion packs are created equal. After spending more money than I’d like to admit on various expansions, I can confidently say some deliver far more bang for your buck than others.

Fresh Memes Expansion

The Fresh Memes expansions are released periodically and feature the newest memes circulating online. These are particularly valuable because:

1. They keep the game current with internet culture
2. They introduce memes your players probably haven’t seen in the game before
3. They often include some of the most viral content from recent months

I picked up Fresh Memes #3 last year, and it instantly became a favorite among my friend group. There’s something about playing with memes you’ve recently seen online that makes the game feel more relevant and funnier.

Themed Expansions

These focus on specific themes or cultural phenomena. Some popular themed expansions include:

• Netflix & Chill: TV and movie-focused memes and captions
• Basic Bitch: Stereotypical “basic” culture references
• Stoner Pack: Cannabis-themed humor (definitely not for everyone)
• Party Pack: Designed specifically for larger groups

The themed packs are where you can really customize the game to your specific friend group. My personal favorite has been the Netflix & Chill pack because my friends are massive TV buffs, and the references land perfectly with our group.

NSFW Expansions

A word of caution here: the NSFW expansions take the game from “occasionally crude” to “definitely not playing this with your parents.” These expansions focus on adult humor with explicit content, sexual references, and generally the kind of jokes you wouldn’t want to explain to your boss.

I made the mistake of bringing out the NSFW expansion during a mixed company game night that included some more conservative friends. Let’s just say we quickly put those cards away and went back to the core set. Know your audience!

Quality Considerations: Not All Cards Are Created Equal

One thing I’ve noticed across multiple expansions is that the card quality can sometimes vary. Here’s what to look for:

Card Stock

The best “What Do You Meme?” cards have a nice, thick card stock with a slight gloss that makes them durable and easy to shuffle. Some of the earlier expansions had thinner cards that showed wear much faster.

I learned this lesson the hard way when I purchased an expansion from a third-party seller online. The cards were noticeably thinner than my original set, making them stand out during gameplay (which ruins some of the fun when players can identify expansion cards just by feel).

Print Quality

The photo cards especially need good print quality to show the details of the memes. Poor print quality can wash out facial expressions, which are often the funniest part of the meme.

Box Durability

This might seem minor, but if you’re anything like me and transport your games to friends’ houses regularly, box durability matters. The standard boxes are reasonably sturdy, but some limited editions come in more durable packaging.

Limited Editions vs. Standard Releases: Are Special Editions Worth the Premium?

Over the years, “What Do You Meme?” has released several limited edition sets, often in collaboration with popular brands or for special occasions. These typically come with a premium price tag, but are they worth it?

Collaborations

I splurged on the “Friends” TV show collaboration edition last year, and while it was pricier than standard expansions, the themed content was perfect for our group of die-hard Friends fans. The captions referenced specific episodes and running jokes from the show, making it worth the extra cost for our particular group.

Other popular collaborations have included:

• The Office
• Rick and Morty
• Various musician partnerships

Holiday Editions

The holiday editions (particularly Halloween and Christmas) include seasonally appropriate memes and captions. I’ve found these to be fun but limited in their usefulness since they really only come out once a year.

My recommendation: Only invest in these if the specific theme really resonates with your regular playing group. Otherwise, stick with the more versatile standard expansions.

Where to Buy: Avoiding Counterfeit Cards

This is something I learned the hard way: there are counterfeit “What Do You Meme?” cards floating around online marketplaces. Here’s how to avoid them:

Authorized Retailers

Your safest bet is to purchase from authorized retailers like:

• Major retail chains (Target, Walmart, etc.)
• Game specialty stores
• The official “What Do You Meme?” website
• Reputable online retailers like Amazon (but be sure it’s sold directly by Amazon or the official company store)

Red Flags for Counterfeits

Watch out for these warning signs:

• Significantly discounted prices (if it seems too good to be true, it probably is)
• Sellers with limited or poor reviews
• Product images that don’t match official marketing materials
• Vague product descriptions

I once purchased what I thought was a great deal on a “What Do You Meme?” expansion, only to receive cards that were poorly printed with misaligned text. The box looked convincing from the outside, but the cards inside were clearly counterfeit. Not only was the playing experience diminished, but the cards didn’t even match the size of my legitimate set.

Timing Your Purchase: Sales and Special Offers

Like most products, “What Do You Meme?” cards go on sale at predictable times. If you’re looking to maximize your collection while minimizing cost, here’s when to buy:

Best Times to Buy

• Black Friday/Cyber Monday: Typically offers the deepest discounts of the year
• Prime Day: If you’re an Amazon Prime member
• Back-to-College sales: Usually in August, as the game is popular with college students
• Post-Holiday clearance: January can be a great time to find holiday-themed expansions on clearance

Bundle Deals

Watch for bundle deals that package the core game with one or more expansions. These often represent better value than buying separately.

Last Black Friday, I managed to score the core set plus two expansions for less than the regular price of just the core set. Patience pays off!

Storage Solutions: Organizing Your Growing Collection

This might seem like a minor consideration, but once you start accumulating expansions, storage becomes a legitimate concern. Here are some options:

Original Boxes

You can keep each expansion in its original box, but this gets unwieldy quickly and makes setup and cleanup more time-consuming.

Card Cases

Dedicated card cases designed for collectible card games work well. Look for ones with dividers so you can separate photo cards from caption cards.

Custom Solutions

Some dedicated players have created custom 3D-printed storage solutions specifically for “What Do You Meme?” cards. These can be found on maker marketplaces like Etsy.

I personally use a large card box with dividers, organized by card type and then by expansion. I also keep a small notebook where I track which expansions I’ve included for each game night, which helps ensure we don’t play with the same combinations repeatedly.

Compatibility Between Editions: What Works With What?

Not all “What Do You Meme?” products are designed to work together, which can lead to some confusion when purchasing. Here’s what you need to know:

Standard Expansions

These are designed to integrate seamlessly with the core game and with each other. You can mix and match freely.

Standalone Games

Some products in the “What Do You Meme?” family are actually standalone games with different mechanics, such as:

• “New Phone, Who Dis?”
• “For The Girls”
• “What Do You Meme? Family Edition”

These aren’t expansions and don’t integrate with the core game. Make sure you’re buying an expansion and not a standalone game if your intention is to add to your existing collection.

I learned this distinction after accidentally purchasing “For The Girls” thinking it was an expansion. While it’s a fun game in its own right, the cards aren’t designed to work with the original “What Do You Meme?” gameplay.

The Family Edition: Is It Worth It?

If you play with family members or mixed age groups, you might be considering the Family Edition. Here’s my take:

The Family Edition is substantially different from the original game. It features:

• Age-appropriate memes and captions
• Different gameplay mechanics designed for younger players
• A generally “cleaner” sense of humor

My honest opinion? Unless you’re specifically playing with children under 17, the Family Edition lacks much of the edge that makes the original game so laugh-out-loud funny. I purchased it for a family reunion and found that even the teenagers preferred to wait until later to play the standard edition with just the older cousins.

The Family Edition works best as a standalone purchase specifically for playing with younger family members, not as an addition to your adult collection.

Refreshing Your Collection: When to Retire Cards

This is something many guides don’t address, but it’s important: meme culture evolves rapidly, and some cards that were hilarious two years ago might now elicit confused stares from younger players.

Signs It’s Time to Refresh Your Collection:

• Players frequently asking, “What is this meme from?”
• Cards referencing cultural moments that have faded from memory
• Decreased laughter compared to when you first purchased the game

I’ve started a rotation system where I retire certain photo cards after they’ve been in play for a couple of years, replacing them with cards from newer expansions. The caption cards tend to have more longevity since they don’t rely on specific cultural references as heavily.

My Personal Collection Strategy

After much trial and error, I’ve developed what I consider to be an optimal “What Do You Meme?” collection strategy:

1. Start with the core set
2. Add 1-2 general expansions to increase variety
3. Add 1 themed expansion that matches your friend group’s interests
4. Consider an NSFW expansion if your playing group is appropriate for it
5. Refresh with a Fresh Memes expansion annually

This approach provides enough variety to keep the game fresh while avoiding the diminishing returns of having too many cards (which can actually make the game less cohesive).

Customizing Your Deck for Different Groups

One advanced strategy I’ve developed is maintaining different “decks” for different playing groups. This takes a bit more organization but dramatically improves the playing experience:

The Friend Group Deck

This includes all cards, including NSFW content and inside jokes specific to my close friends.

The Mixed Company Deck

This excludes the most explicit content but keeps the edgy humor that makes the game fun. Perfect for work friends or new acquaintances.

The Family-Adjacent Deck

Not quite the Family Edition, but a curated selection that excludes the most explicit content while still being fun for older teens and adults.

I use different colored sleeves to quickly identify which cards belong to which deck, making setup quick when I know who’s coming over to play.

The Social Media Connection: Staying Current with Meme Culture

To fully appreciate new expansions, it helps to stay somewhat current with meme culture. I’ve found that following certain subreddits and social media accounts keeps me in the loop on the latest memes, which makes new expansions more enjoyable when I recognize the references.

Some good sources include:

• r/memes on Reddit
• Know Your Meme website
• Major meme accounts on Instagram and Twitter

This isn’t strictly necessary, but it definitely enhances the experience when you understand the context behind the photo cards.

Beyond Cards: Other “What Do You Meme?” Accessories

While this guide focuses on the cards, there are other accessories worth considering:

Blank Cards

These allow you to create custom captions and even photo cards. They’re great for inside jokes or localizing the game to your specific friend group.

Card Stands

Extra card stands are useful for larger groups or if your original stands have been damaged.

Voting Paddles

Some special editions come with voting paddles rather than using the judge system. These can be purchased separately and add a new dimension to the gameplay.

I personally love the blank cards and have created a small set of inside-joke cards specific to my friend group. These consistently get the biggest laughs when they come up in play.

Protecting Your Investment: Card Sleeves and Care

If you’re serious about your “What Do You Meme?” collection, consider these protection measures:

Card Sleeves

Standard card sleeves (the kind used for collectible card games) fit “What Do You Meme?” cards perfectly and protect them from spills, food residue, and general wear and tear.

Handling Rules

Establishing some basic handling rules can extend the life of your cards:

• No drinks directly on the playing table
• Clean hands before playing
• Gentle shuffling techniques

I started using clear sleeves for my most-used cards after noticing wear on the corners and edges. Not only did this protect the cards, but it also made shuffling easier.

The Economics of Expansion Packs: Value Analysis

Let’s break down the actual value proposition of different purchasing strategies:

Cost Per Card

Most expansions average out to about $0.15-$0.25 per card. The core set typically offers the best value at closer to $0.10 per card.

Cost Per Play Session

A more useful metric might be cost per play session. Even the most expensive expansion, if it leads to several more game nights, provides excellent entertainment value compared to other activities like going to movies or bars.

Diminishing Returns

There is a point of diminishing returns. I’ve found that beyond about 5-6 expansions, you’re not really enhancing the game experience significantly, just making the deck larger.

My recommendation: Focus on quality over quantity. A well-curated collection of 500-600 total cards provides more enjoyable gameplay than an unwieldy collection of 1,000+ cards.

The Verdict: My Essential “What Do You Meme?” Shopping List

If you’re looking for the absolute optimum buying strategy based on my years of experience, here it is:

1. Core Set: The foundation of your collection
2. Fresh Memes (Latest Edition): Keeps your collection current
3. One Themed Expansion: Choose based on your group’s interests
4. NSFW Expansion: Only if appropriate for your regular players
5. Blank Cards: For customizing with inside jokes

This combination provides enough variety to keep the game fresh for dozens of play sessions while avoiding unnecessary duplication or bloat.

Final Thoughts: Why “What Do You Meme?” Remains a Staple in My Game Collection

After years of playing everything from complex strategy board games to quick party games, “What Do You Meme?” has earned its permanent place in my game night rotation. The combination of visual humor, creative caption writing, and the ever-evolving nature of meme culture keeps it relevant in a way few other games manage.

By strategically building your collection with the right core set and carefully selected expansions, you can create a custom experience that perfectly matches your playing style and social groups. And isn’t that customization the beauty of modern board gaming?

Whether you’re just starting your collection or looking to refresh an existing one, I hope this guide helps you make informed decisions about where to invest your gaming budget. After all, the best “What Do You Meme?” collection isn’t necessarily the largest—it’s the one that consistently delivers the most laughs for your specific group of friends.

So shuffle those cards, pick your first photo, and let the meme battles begin! And remember, when someone inevitably spills their drink on your carefully curated collection, that’s what card sleeves are for.