The Imposter game is a quick party word game for three or more people. Everyone gets the same secret word except one player, the Imposter, who gets a slightly different word. Each player gives one clue, then the group votes on who they think the Imposter is. All you need is one phone.
Play it free (no sign-up):
What you need
- Players: 3 or more (4 to 10 is the most fun).
- One device: a phone, tablet or laptop that you pass around.
- Time: about 2 to 3 minutes per round.
How to play, step by step
- Add the players. Type each name in the order you are sitting.
- Choose a word pair. One real word for the civilians and a close "fake" word for the Imposter, for example coffee and tea.
- Pass the phone. Each player looks at their word in private, then passes the phone on. Only the game knows who the Imposter is.
- Give one clue each. Going in the same order every time, each player says one short clue about their word without saying the word itself.
- Vote. Everyone points at the player they think is the Imposter.
- Reveal. If the group catches the Imposter, the civilians win the round. If they vote out the wrong person, the Imposter wins.
- Next round. The Imposter adds a new word pair, and the next round starts from the player sitting right after the Imposter.
Tips for civilians
- Give a clue that proves you know the word, but not one so obvious that the Imposter can guess it.
- Listen for clues that are close but slightly off. The Imposter's word is related, so their clue often fits "almost".
- Watch for players who wait, copy someone else's idea or give a very general clue.
Tips for the Imposter
- If the other clues don't quite match your word, you may be the Imposter. Work out what their clues have in common.
- Pick broad clues that could fit both words. "Morning" works for both coffee and tea.
- Answer at a normal speed. Long pauses make people suspicious.
Good word pairs to start with
| Civilian word | Imposter word |
|---|---|
| Coffee | Tea |
| Beach | Swimming pool |
| Cat | Dog |
| Pizza | Burger |
| Football | Rugby |
| Guitar | Violin |
| Train | Bus |
| Doctor | Nurse |
Want more? ImposterGame.qzz.io has ready-made word lists by category, such as food, animals, movies and sports.
One phone or online rooms
ImposterGame.qzz.io has a pass-the-phone mode for groups in the same room and an online room mode with QR-code invites for friends who are apart, plus timers and scores. See its how-to-play page for every rule.
Pass and Play Games has Imposter alongside other free games you can play with friends on a single device, like chess, checkers and ludo.
Frequently asked questions
How many players do you need?
At least 3. With 4 to 10 players the clues are more varied and the voting is harder, which makes it more fun.
Is the Imposter game free?
Yes. Both sites above are free to play in your browser, with no app download.
Is it the same as Spyfall or Undercover?
It is very similar. Games called Undercover, Who Is the Spy and Spyfall-style games all use the same idea of one hidden player with different information.
Disclosure: both game sites linked here are made by the team behind this blog.
Comments
Post a Comment