Spy

What is the Spy Game?

The Spy Game is a free party game for 3 to 20 people sitting in the same room. Everyone gets the same secret, either a word like "pizza" or a place like "hospital", except the spy, who gets nothing. Players take turns asking each other questions to prove they know the secret without giving it away, while the spy listens, bluffs and tries to work out what everyone is talking about. If you've played Spyfall, Undercover or a "find the odd one out" game, you already know the idea. This version uses one phone that is passed around, so nobody needs to download anything. Play the spy game online for free in your browser on slicegames.app, with no download and no sign-up.

How to play the Spy Game with one phone

1. Set up the round. Choose the number of players (3 to 20), the number of spies and the round time.
2. Pass the phone around. Each player taps the card to see their role, taps again to hide it and hands the phone to the next person.
3. Read your card. Everyone except the spy sees the same word or place. The spy's card only says "you are the spy", with no hint at all.
4. Start the timer. Once everyone has seen their card, hit start and begin asking questions in turn.
5. Ask and answer. Answer well enough that your friends know you're in on the secret, but not so clearly that the spy can guess it.
6. Accuse or guess. Any player can accuse someone and call a vote. The spy can reveal themselves at any moment and guess the word or place. A correct guess wins the round.
7. Reveal. When the round ends, tap the end button to show the spies and the secret.

Word mode and place mode

In word mode the secret is an everyday word like "pizza" or "airplane". In place mode it is somewhere like a hospital, a beach or an airport. The game has 363 words and 92 places, and the ones you've already played don't repeat on the same phone until the list runs out. In both modes the spy never gets a related word, so a spy has to work everything out from the questions.

How many spies should you pick?

With 3 to 5 players, play with one spy. From 6 players you can choose two spies, from 9 players three, and with 18 or more up to six. Spies don't know each other, so a spy may end up suspecting another spy.

An example round

Five friends play in place mode, and the secret is hospital. Sara asks Khaled: "Do you come here by choice?" Khaled answers: "Only when I have to." Everyone who knows the place nods, because it fits. Layla is the spy and has no idea where they are, so she keeps her answers vague and waits. Her turn comes: "Is it usually crowded here?" Omar replies: "Depends on the day." That fits half the places on the list. Layla smiles and plays along, while the others start to watch her more closely.

Tips for asking, answering and bluffing

If you know the secret

• Ask questions that test, not tell. "Do you smell medicine here?" gives the place away immediately. "Do you come here by choice?" is vague, but easy to answer if you know the secret.
• Answer just enough. A short answer like "only when I have to" convinces your friends and gives the spy very little.
• Watch for answers that are too careful. The spy often says something that fits every possibility.

If you're the spy

• Don't rush. Listen closely in the first round, because other players' questions and answers reveal the type of secret.
• Answer in a way that fits many things. Something like "it depends on who is with me" works for lots of places.
• Remember the other spies. The most suspicious player at the table might be a spy too.
• Guess at the right moment. If you're sure, reveal yourself and guess before you get voted out.

When to play the Spy Game

• Game nights and parties: rules take a minute to explain, and you can set the timer as short as 1 minute.
• Family gatherings: works for a table of three or a room of twenty.
• Trips and road breaks: no cards or paper needed, only one phone.
• Team building: up to 20 players and 6 spies make it a good fit for a work group.
• Classrooms: a fun conversation exercise, and the words and places are available in all site languages, so it works for language lessons too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every player need a phone?

No. One phone is enough. It is passed around the group.

Can I play the Spy Game online with friends in another city?

No. The game is made for a group sitting together and using one phone. There are no online rooms.

Does the spy get a hint word?

No. The spy's card doesn't contain any word, not even a close one.

Does it work without internet?

You need an internet connection to open the page. Offline play is not supported at the moment.

How long is a round?

You choose, from 1 to 20 minutes. The default is 5 minutes.

Is the Spy Game free?

Yes, free to play in the browser, with no download and no sign-up.