When a group wants a game and nobody brought cards, there's usually one phone handy. These four run in the browser on that one phone. Nobody needs an app or an account, and nothing anyone types leaves the phone.
| Game | Players | One round | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imposter | 3 to 12 | ~5 minutes | Groups who like to argue |
| Dumb Charades | 4 or more, two teams | 1–2 minutes per turn | Big groups, family gatherings |
| Forehead | 2 or more | 45–90 seconds | Fast, loud, everyone joins in |
| Stop at 10.00 | Any | 30 seconds each | Passing round while you wait |
1. Imposter
Everyone sees the same secret word, except one person: the Imposter. Going round, each player says one word linked to the secret. Then you vote on who's faking it. If you catch them, they get one guess at the word to still win.
The phone is passed round and each card starts covered.
Pick it when you've got people who enjoy bluffing and talking each other round. Full rules: How to play Imposter.
2. Dumb Charades
The classic. Two teams, one actor at a time, no talking. The phone picks a movie (from 361, in six languages), runs the clock and keeps the score, so nobody has to sit out as the host.
The actor sees the title and number of words, then puts the phone down and acts.
Pick it when the group is big or mixed and wants something everyone already knows. Rules and signs: Dumb Charades: rules, signs and movie names.
3. Forehead
The guesser holds the phone sideways on their forehead, so everyone except them can read the word. The others describe it. Nod (tip the phone down) when you get it, tip it back to pass. See how many you get before time runs out, then hand it on.
The word fills the screen so the whole room can read it.
The first time, it asks for one practice nod: phones don't all agree about which way is down, so it learns from yours. If your phone has no tilt sensor, you tap the screen instead.
Pick it when you want fast and noisy. A round takes a minute.
4. Stop at 10.00
Start the stopwatch, then stop it at exactly 10 seconds. The clock fades out after 3. Three tries each, closest wins.
Seven seconds of counting in your head.
Pick it when you're waiting for food or a train and want something that takes no explaining. More on how it's timed: How our reaction time test works.
Good to know
Imposter, Dumb Charades and Forehead keep the screen awake during a game, so the phone doesn't lock while it's being passed round. Names you type stay on the phone. All four work on any phone with a browser.