Imposter game
Everyone gets the secret word except the imposter. Give clues, find the faker, and don’t give the word away. Free, for 3 to 20 players.
How to play the imposter game
- Get your card. Everyone sees the same secret word, except the imposter, who only sees that they’re the imposter (plus a hint, if you turn hints on).
- Give clues. Going round the table, each player says one word about the secret word. Prove you know it without making it easy for the imposter.
- Discuss and vote. Talk it over, then vote on who the imposter is.
- The last chance. Vote out the wrong player and the imposter wins. Catch the imposter and they get one guess at the word: right, they still win; wrong, the crew wins.
The full rules, tips and variations are in how to play imposter. Running the game yourself? The imposter word generator picks a random word and hint.
Two ways to play
One phone is the classic way: pass one phone round the table, and each player peeks at their card in secret. Everyone on their phone works at the table or over a video call: one player creates a room, the rest join with the code, and votes and guesses happen on each player’s screen.
576 words in 18 categories
Pick any mix of categories, from animals, food, places, jobs, sports, household objects to seasonal Halloween and Christmas decks. Every word has a hint for the imposter. See them all in the imposter game word lists.
Questions
What is the imposter game?
A party word game for 3 to 20 players. Everyone gets the same secret word except one player, the imposter. Each player says one word about it, then the group votes on who the imposter is.
How do you play the imposter game on one phone?
Add everyone’s names, then pass the phone round. Each player taps to see their card alone, hides it and hands the phone on. Clues, the vote and the imposter’s guess all happen out loud.
Can we each play on our own phone?
Yes. One player creates a room and shares the four-letter code or link. Everyone sees their own card, votes on their own screen, and a caught imposter types their guess.
What happens if the imposter is caught?
They get one guess at the secret word. If they guess it, the imposter still wins. If not, the crew wins.
Is it free?
Yes, completely: every mode, category and setting, with no app, no sign-up and no paid version.
Can I play the imposter game with hints?
Yes. Choose what the imposter sees: the category, a hint word, or nothing at all for the hardest game.