How to play imposter

How to play

You need: one phone passed around, or paper slips.

1. Pick a secret word and a category, for example Animals: Penguin.
2. Show the word to every player but one. The imposter sees only the category, or a one-word hint.
3. Go around the circle. Each player says one word linked to the secret word, without giving it away.
4. After one or two rounds, everyone votes for the player they think is the imposter.
5. If the group catches the imposter, the imposter gets one guess at the secret word. A right guess still wins for the imposter.

Rules

• Clues are one word each. No repeating a clue someone already said.
• Saying the secret word itself ends the round against you.
• The imposter must give a clue too, and wins by blending in.
• Majority vote decides; on a tie, nobody is caught and the imposter wins.

Variants

Hint mode

The imposter gets a one-word hint as well as the category, which makes bluffing easier for new players.

No category

The imposter gets nothing at all. Hard for the imposter, great for experienced groups.

Two imposters

With 8 or more players, deal two imposters who do not know each other.

Tips to play better

• As a regular player, give clues that are true but not obvious; too clear a clue hands the word to the imposter.
• As the imposter, listen first and give a broad clue that fits most words in the category.
• Watch for clues that are a little too general. That is often the imposter fishing.
• Keep rounds short. Two rounds of clues is usually enough before a vote.