Spy Game Rules

Spy is a party game for groups: everyone knows a secret word except the spy. The others must find the spy by asking questions, and the spy must guess the word before getting caught.

1. What you need

   3 to 12 people and one phone. In Blufino the phone goes hand to hand and does the job of cards, paper and a timer. No internet needed.

2. Dealing the roles

   A word category is picked, such as places or food, and a secret word from that category. Each player takes the phone in turn and looks at their own card:

   • Citizens see the secret word.
   • The spy only learns that they are the spy. They usually know the category too, unless you turn that off when setting up the game.
   • In bigger groups you can play with more than one spy.

3. Interrogation

   The timer starts; each round lasts 1 to 15 minutes. Take turns asking each other questions and answering. Questions and answers should be:

   • Not so obvious that the spy works out the word.
   • Not so vague that you look suspicious yourself.

   For example, if the word is “airport”, “When were you last here?” is a good question; “Where did you check your suitcase?” gives too much away.

4. The spy’s move

   At any moment the spy can stop the game, reveal themselves and guess the word. If they are right, they win, even if everyone suspected them. If they are wrong, the citizens win.

5. Point and reveal

   When time runs out, everyone points at once at the player they think is the spy. Then the spy is revealed.

6. Who wins?

   • If the citizens find the spy, each citizen scores 1 point.
   • If the spy is not found and escapes, they score 2 points.
   • If the spy guesses the secret word, they score 4 points.

   Play several rounds in a row; at the end of the night, whoever has the most points wins.

7. Tips for a better game

   • Citizens: ask questions that only someone who knows the word can answer well.
   • Spy: listen first. Work out the word from the others’ answers, then give answers that fit several words.
   • Everyone: very short answers or long pauses look suspicious.
   • For your first round, pick an easy category such as “Places” or “Food”.

8. Playing spy without the app

   You can play with paper too: write the word on a few slips and “spy” on one. But each round someone has to pick the word and can’t play. Blufino does that for you, with over 1000 words in 9 categories. If you’re playing on paper, here’s the full word list: Spy Game Words