A party full of people who barely know each other has a familiar sound: polite conversation that dies after two minutes. A game can change that, but only if it asks nothing difficult of the guests. An imposter game is a good fit, because the only skill needed is saying something short, and the only goal is working out who is bluffing. Here is how to run it as an icebreaker.
Why does it work for strangers?
Because it gives them something to talk about that is not themselves. Instead of "what do you do", the question is "was that clue strange?" Guests learn each other's sense of humour and quickness without having to share anything personal. And because the clues are short, nobody is on the spot for long.
It also scales. A single phone can carry a group of twelve, and online tables seat eight.
How do you set it up?
For a room of up to twelve, use one shared phone: pass it round, each person sees their word in private and passes it on. Clues are spoken aloud. The host decides when to move to the vote on this version. For smaller groups, or if everyone has a phone, use a table with a link and let the game run the clocks.
What does the ten-minute plan look like?
- Minute 0: gather the guests and explain the rule in one sentence.
- Minutes 1 to 3: deal a round. Pick a friendly category, such as food or animals.
- Minutes 3 to 7: two laps of clues. With eight people that is up to 400 seconds if everyone used the full 25 seconds, but spoken clues are quicker.
- Minutes 7 to 9: the vote and the reveal.
- Minute 9 to 10: a cheer for the winner and a second round.
How do you make the shy feel welcome?
Let them go in the middle, not first or last. Give them an easy category. Praise a clever clue loudly. The rule that nobody is eliminated helps: nobody has to sit out and watch.
What categories break the ice strongest?
Food and animals are universal. Places and jobs lead to stories. Sports and applications suit a younger crowd. Pick one that everybody in the room can relate to, and avoid anything niche.
How do you keep the energy up?
Play short rounds. Ask the spy afterwards what they were thinking, because the explanation is always funny. Keep a running score on a whiteboard. Rotate who holds the phone, so that the game is in different hands.
How do you handle the person who takes it too seriously?
Every party has one. Give them a role: scorekeeper, or the person who calls the vote. Their energy is a gift if it is pointed somewhere useful. If they accuse too fiercely, remind the table that it is a game, and let the next round start quickly. A fast reset is the strongest cure for any argument.
It also helps to keep the first game short. Two rounds at a party are enough to know whether the room wants more, and a host who stops while people are still laughing leaves a good memory of the evening.
What if a group is too large?
Split into two tables of six and have the winners meet in a final. Or play in teams, with each team giving a joint clue.
Where can you run it?
At Boardit, a free site I make, you can play who's the spy with friends and new acquaintances, as a spy game online with a link or a single phone. Guests need no account.
What happens next?
The strongest sign of success is that people keep talking about it. A guest who says "I knew it was you" to someone they met an hour ago has done what an icebreaker is for.
Ahmed Moaz builds Boardit, a free browser game site.