A pass-the-phone party game for 3 to 12 players. Everyone secretly sees the same word except the imposter, who has to bluff. Take turns giving one-word clues, discuss, vote, and see if the crew caught the imposter.
Last updated:
Game setup
Word category
Player names (optional)
🕵️
Who is the imposter?
Everyone gets the same secret word except the imposter. Take turns giving one-word clues, then vote out the player who seems to be bluffing.
Example: the word is Beach. Crew clues: "sand", "towel", "waves". The imposter, hearing those, bluffs with "sunny".
Player 1 of 5
Pass the phone to Player 1
Make sure nobody else can see the screen.
Player 1
Discussion
Player 1 goes first
Go around the circle (clockwise). Each player says one word linked to the secret word. Then discuss who might be the imposter.
3:00
Vote
Who is the imposter?
Everyone points at a suspect on three. Tap a name once for each vote it gets.
0 votes
🎉
Last chance: the imposter may guess the secret word to steal the win.
Scores
Crew members score 1 point when the most-voted player is an imposter and the word stays safe. Imposters score 2 points for escaping (including a tied vote) or for guessing the word.
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How to use the Imposter Word Game
Set up the game: choose the number of players and imposters, a word category and the discussion time. Add names if you like.
Press Start game and pass the device around. Each player taps to reveal their card privately, then hides it before passing it on.
Give clues: starting with the chosen player, everyone says one word linked to the secret word. The imposter must bluff without knowing it.
Discuss and vote: start the timer, talk it through, then point at a suspect on three and tap each player's name once per vote.
Reveal the imposter. If they were caught, they get one guess at the secret word to steal the win. Press Play next round for a new word.
Recommended settings by group size
Players
Imposters
Discussion time
Tip
3-4
1
1-2 minutes
Play two clue rounds before voting so there's enough to go on
5-6
1
2-3 minutes
The classic setup; one clue round is usually enough
6-8
1 or 2
3 minutes
Two imposters make clue-giving trickier for the crew
9-12
2 or 3
3-5 minutes
Keep clues to a single word to stop rounds from dragging
Strategy for crew and imposters
Crew: give a clue specific enough to show you know the word, but not so obvious that the imposter can guess it. Watch for players who hesitate or repeat the style of an earlier clue.
Imposter: listen to the first few clues, then pick a safe, general word that fits them. If you speak early, choose something broad that fits many words in the category.
Everyone: ask "why did you say that?" during the discussion. Explaining a clue is easy for the crew and hard for the imposter.
Fun variations
Two clue rounds: go around twice before voting for a deeper, harder game.
Drawing round: instead of a word, each player draws one line of the secret word on shared paper.
No hint, no mercy: turn off the category hint and play with 2 imposters in groups of 7 or more.
Classroom version: use the School category, let the teacher hold the device, and have students raise hands to vote.
Frequently asked questions
How do you play the imposter word game?
All players but one (the imposter) secretly learn the same word. Going around the group, each player says a single word or short clue related to the secret word. Crew members want to prove they know the word without making it obvious, while the imposter listens and tries to blend in. After one or two rounds of clues, everyone votes on who they think the imposter is.
How many players do you need?
At least 3, but 5 to 8 players is the sweet spot. With 6 or more players you can add a second imposter, and with 9 or more a third, which makes the game harder for the crew.
Who wins the round?
If the player with the most votes is an imposter, the crew wins, unless that imposter then correctly guesses the secret word, which steals the win. If an innocent player is voted out or the vote is tied, the imposter wins. Crew members get 1 point each for a win and imposters get 2 points.
Should the imposter see the category?
It's up to your group. With the hint on, the imposter knows the category (for example Food), which makes bluffing easier and suits younger players or first games. Turn it off for experienced players who want a real challenge.
What are good clues to give?
Give a clue that proves you know the word but doesn't hand it to the imposter. For Beach, 'towel' or 'shells' are better than 'sand castle', which is too obvious. Vague clues make you look suspicious, so find the middle ground.
Is this like the game Spyfall or Among Us?
It uses the same social-deduction idea of hidden roles and finding the odd one out, but it is an independent, free word game with its own original word lists. It needs no app, account or internet connection once the page has loaded.
Is it suitable for kids and classrooms?
Yes. All words are family-friendly everyday things, places, foods, animals and activities. Teachers can use the School category, and for young children turn on the imposter hint and play with one imposter.
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