Good player submissions
- Roller coaster
- Moon landing
- Pineapple
- The Matrix
- Snow globe
- Running late
Fishbowl game guide
How to play Fishbowl
Set up two teams, collect three private words from each player, then reuse the same bowl through three fast guessing rounds.
Use this guide
Make the round work.
- 01
Build the bowl privately
Each participating player writes three words or short phrases. Keep submissions private until the rounds begin. A host can add optional AI prompts toward a bowl of 20.
- 02
Describe the prompt
Team one guesses while the clue giver uses verbal clues. Do not say answer fragments, spell, use initials, rhyme, translate, gesture, or point. Correct cards score one point.
- 03
Act the same bowl
Return every prompt to the bowl, shuffle it, and play again with gestures only. No speech, sounds, mouthing, props, or pointing at nearby objects.
- 04
Finish with One Word
Shuffle the same stable prompt IDs for the final round. Give exactly one spoken clue per card, then let the team make unlimited guesses.
- 05
Rotate turns and settle ties
Starting teams alternate each round and clue-giver rotation continues within each team. A skipped or timed-out card returns to the bowl. The highest final score wins, while a tie is shared.
Prompt starters
Ideas to pull from fast.
Use a list as a starting point, then open the game when you want the round to run itself.
Round one clue starters
- Describe the shape
- Name its setting
- Explain what it does
- Give a category clue
- Use a short story
Act round ideas
- Show the action
- Mime the object
- Act the situation
- Use your whole body
- Freeze between guesses
Before you start
Questions, answered.
How many people can play Fishbowl?
CardYard Fishbowl supports four to twelve participating players split into exactly two teams. A non-playing facilitator can run the bowl.
How long is a Fishbowl turn?
The default turn is 60 seconds. Hosts can choose 30, 45, 60, or 90 seconds before the match begins.
Can the clue giver draw their own word?
Yes. Any prompt can be drawn by its author, just like a physical Fishbowl game.