House Of DecksGame rules
The Impostor
Score more points than anyone: unmasking the impostors when you are a civilian, or blending in when it is your turn to be one.
Deck
A bank of almost six hundred words in nineteen categories, no cards
Players
3 to 16 players
The card
At the start of each word, everyone secretly gets the same word (say, "Beach"), except one or more players: the impostors. All they see is "You are the impostor".
Depending on the room settings, the impostor gets some help: the word's category ("Places"), a related hint ("sand") or nothing at all.
The number of impostors is chosen before the start: one, several, by table size or random and secret. There are always fewer impostors than civilians.
Clues
In turn, each player gives one clue: a word or two related to the secret word, without saying it. The table does not let a civilian type the word.
A civilian always opens, and there are one, two or three full laps of clues before the vote, depending on the room settings.
The art is in the middle ground: a clue that is too obvious hands the word to the impostor; one that is too odd makes you look like the impostor.
The vote
After the clues, everyone votes at the same time and in secret on who to throw out (you can talk it over in the chat meanwhile). You can also vote blank.
Whoever gets the most votes is out. If there is a tie at the top, or blank votes match the most-voted player, nobody leaves. When someone is out, the table reveals whether they were an impostor or innocent.
If impostors remain, there is another lap of clues and another vote among those still in.
How each word ends
The civilians win if they throw out every impostor... unless the last impostor caught guesses the secret word: they get one last chance to type it, and if they get it right, the round goes to the impostors.
The impostors win if they come to match the remaining civilians in number, or if the votes run out (twice the number of impostors plus one) before they are all caught.
Points
If the civilians win, every civilian scores 2 points (including those voted out by mistake). If the impostors win, every impostor scores 3, and the one who guesses the word 2 more.
On top of that, each civilian scores 1 point for every vote they cast on an impostor, whoever wins.
The game lasts the chosen number of words (1, 3, 5 or 8), each with new impostors. Whoever has the most points at the end wins.
Tips and strategy
As a civilian
Your clue has two jobs: proving to the civilians that you know the word, and not handing it to the impostor. For "Beach", "sand" gives it all away; "towel" or "summer" say just enough.
Listen to whoever speaks after many clues: the impostor tends to wait for information and repeat someone else's idea in other words.
A vague clue is not proof. Before voting someone out, check whether their two clues fit together.
As the impostor
If you go early, stay general: something that fits half the category. If you go late, cross-check the clues you have heard and aim at what they all share.
Do not copy a clue: say it differently. Repeating exactly what someone else said is the first thing people notice.
If you are caught, all is not lost: what you have heard is often enough to guess the word on your last chance.
Voting
Throwing out an innocent brings the impostors closer to winning: with several impostors, every mistake counts double. If you are not sure, the blank vote exists.
Voting for an impostor scores a point even if they stay: it is worth trusting your gut even when the table votes for someone else.
Frequently asked questions
Can I say the secret word as a clue?
No: if you are a civilian, the table will not send a clue containing the word, in Spanish or English. The impostor can say it (if they hit it by chance, good for them).
How many impostors can there be?
From one to five, "by table size" (roughly one for every four players) or random and secret. At a small table it adjusts itself so there are always fewer impostors than civilians.
Do the impostors know who the others are?
That depends on the "Impostors know each other" option. By default they do not: each plays alone.
What happens if my time runs out?
If it is your clue, it counts as saying nothing (which looks suspicious). If it is your vote, it counts as blank.
Can we play in the same room?
Yes, and that is where it shines: everyone checks their card on their own phone (it hides with a tap) and clues are said out loud or typed. The chat is there for playing remotely.
How many words are there?
Almost six hundred, in nineteen categories: animals, food, drinks and sweets, places, jobs, household things, sports, transport, nature, human body, clothes, music, countries and cities, celebrations, leisure, fantasy, technology, school and office, and film and TV.
The Impostor, against the computer
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