Chug Games › The imposter game

Party game · 3+ players · free

The imposter game

Everyone gets the same secret word except one player: the imposter. Give clues, find the imposter, and do not give the word away. Here are the rules, our drinking version and 100 words to play with.

Word idea

Need a word? Tap for an idea. To hand it out in secret, use Spy.

How to play the imposter game

You need three or more players and one secret word. One player is secretly the imposter. Everyone except the imposter learns the word; the imposter only learns the category, or nothing at all.

Go round the circle. Each player says one word or a short clue about the secret word. Make it specific enough to prove you know the word, but vague enough that the imposter cannot guess it.

After one or two rounds, everyone votes on who the imposter is. If the group catches the imposter, the group wins. If they vote out an innocent player, the imposter wins. A caught imposter gets one last chance: guess the word, and the imposter steals the win.

A drinking version

Here is one way to play it. Give a clue that is too obvious and you drink a sip. Every player who voted for an innocent person drinks two. A caught imposter drinks three, unless they guess the word, in which case everyone else drinks two. Anyone can drink water instead.

Tips for players and the imposter

Players: pick a clue that only makes sense if you know the word, and listen for clues that are suspiciously general. Hesitation is a tell.

Imposter: go late if you can, build on the clues before you, and never be the first to make a bold guess. If someone accuses you, accuse them back.

The imposter game on one phone

The hardest part is handing out the secret word without anyone seeing who the imposter is. Spy on Chug Games does that for you: pass the phone round, each player taps to see the word (or "You are the spy"), and a timer runs while you ask questions. It keeps the drinks and the score too.

Everyday wordsPlacesParty wordsJobsAnimals

Everyday words

  1. Pizza
  2. Toothbrush
  3. Umbrella
  4. Coffee
  5. Sofa
  6. Mirror
  7. Backpack
  8. Sunglasses
  9. Pillow
  10. Fridge
  11. Bicycle
  12. Candle
  13. Wallet
  14. Headphones
  15. Lamp
  16. Shampoo
  17. Keys
  18. Kettle
  19. Socks
  20. Remote control

Places

  1. Beach
  2. Airport
  3. Hospital
  4. Cinema
  5. Supermarket
  6. Gym
  7. Library
  8. Zoo
  9. Museum
  10. Train station
  11. Hotel
  12. Ski resort
  13. Cruise ship
  14. Farm
  15. Nightclub
  16. Hair salon
  17. Car wash
  18. Campsite
  19. Bakery
  20. Bowling alley

Party words

  1. Karaoke
  2. Wedding
  3. Birthday cake
  4. Dance floor
  5. Pub quiz
  6. Rooftop bar
  7. Pool party
  8. Halloween
  9. Fireworks
  10. Hangover
  11. Beer pong
  12. Taxi queue
  13. Photo booth
  14. Disco ball
  15. Toast
  16. Bouncer
  17. Cocktail
  18. Playlist
  19. Confetti
  20. After-party

Jobs

  1. Firefighter
  2. Dentist
  3. Pilot
  4. Chef
  5. Teacher
  6. Hairdresser
  7. Lifeguard
  8. DJ
  9. Plumber
  10. Influencer
  11. Astronaut
  12. Nurse
  13. Bartender
  14. Farmer
  15. Magician
  16. Tattoo artist
  17. Barista
  18. Zookeeper
  19. Wedding planner
  20. Comedian

Animals

  1. Penguin
  2. Giraffe
  3. Shark
  4. Kangaroo
  5. Octopus
  6. Elephant
  7. Flamingo
  8. Panda
  9. Wolf
  10. Parrot
  11. Crocodile
  12. Hedgehog
  13. Camel
  14. Dolphin
  15. Owl
  16. Sloth
  17. Bee
  18. Peacock
  19. Moose
  20. Chameleon

Questions

How do you play the imposter game?

Everyone except one player gets the same secret word. Players take turns giving a one-word clue, then vote on who the imposter is. The group wins if it catches the imposter; the imposter wins by staying hidden or by guessing the word.

How many players do you need for the imposter game?

At least three, and it is best with five to ten. With eight or more you can play with two imposters.

What does the imposter see?

The imposter does not see the secret word. In most versions they see the category or nothing at all, and have to work out the word from the other players' clues.

Is the imposter game the same as Spyfall?

They are related. In the imposter game everyone gives one-word clues and then votes; in Spyfall-style games players ask each other questions about a location. Spy on Chug Games uses questions and a timer.

Play a game

ClassicPlay →Ring of SinKings Cup on one phone1 phone · 2–16 playersEvery phonePlay →Most LikelySecret votes with selfiesOwn phones · 2–16 playersNewPlay →SpyWho doesn't know the word?1 phone · 3–12 players

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