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How to play Imposter

Imposter is a one-phone party word game for 3–20 players. Everyone sees the same secret word except one player. Describe it, spot the bluffer, and vote before the timer runs out. Here are the full rules, house-rule options, FAQ and strategy tips.

The rules, step by step

1. Deal and hold to reveal

Add every player's name, pick your word packs, then pass the phone around. Each player presses and holds their card to see the secret word in private. Everyone gets the same word except the imposter, who either gets a close near-miss word (Close call) or nothing at all (Blindfold).

2. Give one clue each

Starting with the highlighted player, go clockwise. Each player says one word that describes the secret word without saying it. No repeats, no plurals or variations of the word, no whole sentences. With clue turns switched on, each player gets a short timer for their turn and you can play one or two full passes before open discussion.

3. Vote out loud (or in secret)

Offline voting is the default and has no timer: go around the circle, each player names a suspect out loud and explains why, then taps their pick on the phone. Once everyone has voted, the app shows the tally and you reveal the player with the most votes. If the vote deadlocks, keep describing the word and re-vote, or settle it in the runoff. Prefer no table talk? Switch on Secret voting in setup and the phone passes again so each player picks a suspect privately; votes stay hidden until everyone has locked one in.

4. Score the round

The crew scores 1 point each for catching the imposter. An imposter who survives the vote scores 2 points. A caught imposter gets one last chance to guess the real word for a bonus point. Play as many rounds as you like, then open the final scoreboard.

Clue rules

House rules you can switch on

Imposter strategy

  • Never speak first if you can help it — let two clues land before you commit.
  • Reuse the tone of the previous clue instead of the meaning. Vague beats wrong.
  • Confidently accuse someone early. Silence reads as guilt.
  • If you work out the word, hold it back and use it on the final guess for a bonus point.

Crew strategy

  • Give a clue that is specific enough to prove you know the word, but not so specific it teaches the imposter.
  • Watch for clues that would fit ten different words — that's your suspect.
  • Never say the word out loud, even after voting starts.
  • Compare notes on who echoed someone else instead of adding something new.

Frequently asked questions

How many players do you need for the Imposter Game?

Three players minimum and up to 20 on one phone. Groups of 7 or more play best with 2 imposters, and 11 or more with 3 — the app suggests this for you.

What happens if the vote is tied?

You choose the tie-break rule in setup: 'Runoff vote' lets the group pick between the tied players out loud, while 'Imposter wins' means a tie protects the imposter and nobody is caught. With offline voting you can also just keep talking and re-vote before revealing.

Can the imposter see the category?

Only if you leave the category hint on. With the hint on, the imposter's card shows the word pack, which makes bluffing much easier. Turn it off for expert games.

Do we have to vote on the phone?

Voting is offline by default — untimed and out loud, with each player tapping their pick on the phone before the reveal. Fully hidden votes (Secret voting) are an optional toggle in setup.

Can we add our own words?

Yes. Add your own word pairs in setup and they become a 'My words' pack you can toggle like any other. Inside jokes and friend names work great.

Do words repeat?

No. Every pair you play is remembered for the session, so nothing repeats until the packs you selected are exhausted.

Is Fun Imposter free?

Yes — free, no sign-up, and installable on iOS and Android straight from the browser.

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