How to play Spy: rules, questions and tips

6 minute read

Spy is a quick party game for one phone. Everyone except the spy sees the same secret word. Players ask careful questions to prove they know it without making the answer obvious.

What you need

You need at least 3 players and one phone. Five to eight players usually creates the best mix of information and uncertainty. Choose a word pack, the number of spies and a timer, then pass the phone around privately.

• 3 or more players
• One phone for the whole group
• A word pack such as Places, Food or Jobs
• About 5 to 10 minutes per round

Deal the secret cards

Each player takes the phone, reveals their card alone, hides it and passes the phone on. Most cards show the same secret word. The spy card does not show the word. Nobody should reveal their card, facial reaction or the number of taps they made.

Ask questions

A randomly chosen player asks first. Take turns asking one person a question about the secret word. Answers should demonstrate knowledge without giving the word away to the spy. Avoid questions with only an obvious yes or no answer.

• Would you go there with children?
• Is it more common in summer or winter?
• What would you wear or bring?
• Would it be expensive?
• What sound, smell or feeling do you associate with it?
• Would you be surprised to find it at home?

Vote for the spy

When the group feels ready or the timer ends, discuss the answers and select one player. If the group accuses an ordinary player, the spy wins. If the accusation is correct, the spy receives one last chance to guess the secret word. A correct guess still gives the spy the win.

Tips for ordinary players

Your job is not to prove the word by saying everything you know. Give an answer that another informed player understands, but that can fit more than one possible word. Change the kind of question each turn so the spy cannot build the answer from a single pattern.

• Listen for answers that repeat information someone else already gave.
• Ask follow-up questions when an answer is vague.
• Do not punish unusual but reasonable answers too quickly.
• Watch whether a player’s later answers fit their earlier ones.

Tips for the spy

Listen before volunteering details. Use the category and other answers to narrow the possibilities. Ask broad questions that sound useful but do not require you to know the word. If accused, your final guess should combine every clue from the round.

• Answer at the same level of detail as the group.
• Avoid copying the previous answer word for word.
• Ask about opinions or experiences rather than a defining feature.
• Keep a shortlist of possible words for the final guess.

Questions