In the second round, each team is shown a category and an emoji-based clue. The opening value of the question is $300. The team may swipe upwards on their touchscreen up to two times to receive easier clues, however, each additional clue reduces the value by $100. The team must solve the clues within 20 seconds to earn the remaining money. If they fail to do so, the other team has five seconds to solve for the remaining money. Each team is given two questions in this round.<ref name="Episode ref"/>
The leading team goes first in the next round. One member of each team is designated the sender, the other is the receiver. The sender is shown a message to send, as Hunterthe host announces the category, and uses the emoji on their touchscreen to communicate the message to their partner. Either member of the team may pass at any time. Each message successfully communicated is worth $400. Each team has 45 seconds to communicate as many messages as possible. The team that has more money at the end of the round wins the game, keeps their money, and plays the final round for $10,000.<ref name="Genus">{{cite web|url=http://www.anchoragepress.com/news/emogenius-genus/article_b157ba70-51e6-11e7-8cb1-bfa7cae9dc21.html|title=Emogenius genus|work=[[Anchorage Press]]|publisher=[[Wick Communications]]|last=Hickman|first=Matt|date=June 15, 2017|accessdate=October 21, 2017}}</ref> If the team that was originally trailing overtakes their opponents, they are allowed to finish out their round in an effort to win additional money.<ref name="Episode ref"/> In the event of a tie at the end of this round, both teams are shown one more emoji message. The first team to buzz in by touching their screen is given the opportunity to answer; if they are correct, they win the game.<ref name="Episode ref"/>
