How to play imposter

Imposter is a social deduction word game for 3 to 20 players. Everyone shares a secret word except the imposter, who has to blend in without knowing it. Here are the rules as the game plays them.

What you need

Just a phone. Pass one phone round the table, or let everyone join a room on their own phone. Play the imposter game right here.

The rules

1. Deal. One secret word is chosen from the categories you picked. Each player sees it on their card, except the imposter (or imposters), who sees “You are the imposter” and, depending on the setting, the category or a hint word.
2. Clues. Starting with the player the game picks, go round the table. Each player says one word related to the secret word. Play one to three rounds of clues.
3. Discussion. Talk about the clues. Who hesitated? Whose word didn’t fit? Use the timer if you like.
4. Vote. Everyone votes for the player they think is the imposter. The player with the most votes is out; a tie means a revote between the tied players.
5. Result. If the player voted out wasn’t an imposter, the imposters win. If it was an imposter, they get one guess at the secret word. Right, and the imposters win. Wrong, and the crew wins, or keeps voting if another imposter is still hidden.

Scoring

• When the crew wins, every crew member scores 1 point.
• When the imposters win, each imposter scores 2 points.

Tips for the crew

• Be specific enough to prove you know the word, but not so specific that the imposter can guess it.
• Watch who waits to hear other clues before giving theirs, and who repeats an earlier idea.
• The imposter’s clue often fits the category but not the word.

Tips for the imposter

• Listen to the clues before yours and give a word that fits all of them.
• Pick broad words that suit many things in the category.
• If you’re caught, use every clue you heard to make your guess.

Settings and variations

• More imposters: with 6 or more players, try two; with 9 or more, three.
• Hints: give the imposter the category, a hint word, or nothing. See imposter game with hints.
• Clue rounds: more rounds give the imposter more to work with, and the crew more to catch.

Questions

How many players do you need for the imposter game?

At least 3, and it’s best with 5 to 10. Up to 20 can play; with 9 or more, try two or three imposters.

Can the imposter vote?

Yes. Everyone votes, including the imposter, who will usually vote for someone else to stay hidden.

What if the vote is a tie?

Revote between the tied players. In online rooms a second tie is settled at random.

Do the imposters know each other?

No. With more than one imposter, each only knows that they are an imposter, not who the others are.

What counts as a good clue?

One word that shows you know the secret word without naming it or making it obvious. For Penguin, “waddle” is good; “Antarctica bird” is two words and too easy.