IMPOSTER GAME
Everyone sees the same secret word except the Imposter. Give clues, then vote out the faker.
Play the Imposter Game Free Online
The Imposter game is a party word game for 3 or more players. Everyone gets the same secret word except one player, the Imposter, who has to bluff. CardYard runs the whole game in your browser: it picks the word, assigns every role privately, guides each handoff, runs the vote and resolves the final guess. No app, account or download is needed to start.
How to play
- Pick 3 to 12 players, a word theme and a game mode.
- Each player privately sees their role: the crew sees the secret word, the Imposter does not.
- Go around the group. Everyone gives one short clue without saying the word.
- Discuss the clues, then vote for the player who seems to be bluffing.
- If the group catches the Imposter, they get one final guess at the secret word.
Who wins
The crew wins by voting out the Imposter and stopping their final guess. The Imposter wins by surviving the vote, or by naming the secret word after being caught. A good round takes three to five minutes, so most groups play several in a row and keep score.
Add pressure with the discussion timer, or pass a free random bomb timer around while players give clues.
Four ways to play
Open Game modes on the setup screen to change the rules. Every mode is free.
Classic
One Imposter, no help. The Imposter only learns that they are the Imposter and has to bluff from the clues they hear.
Hint for the Imposter
The Imposter sees one subtle clue about the secret word, such as travel for airport. Good for new players and for groups where the Imposter keeps getting caught on the first clue.
Two or three Imposters
Groups of 5 or more can play with 2 Imposters, and groups of 7 or more with 3. Imposters do not know who the others are, so they can accidentally accuse each other.
Undercover
The Imposter gets a different word from the same theme and is not told. Someone holding taco while everyone else has pizza gives clues that almost fit, which makes the vote much harder.
Play the Imposter game online with friends
Playing apart, or tired of passing one phone? Open an online Room. Everyone joins from their own phone or laptop with a code or link, reveals a private role on their own screen, says their clue out loud across the table or on any video call, and votes on their own phone. Ties go to a runoff and points carry across rounds.
Friends join a Room free. The host needs CardYard Premium. One-phone play stays free for 3 to 12 players.
Tips for the crew
- Give clues that prove you know the word without handing it to the Imposter. For pizza, sharing is safer than crust.
- Watch for vague clues that would fit any word in the theme.
- Listen for players who repeat or slightly reword an earlier clue.
Tips for the Imposter
- If you are not first, wait and build on the clues you hear.
- Pick a clue that fits the theme the group is building, not a random guess.
- Keep a guess ready. If you are caught, naming the word still wins the round.
Word themes
Free rounds draw from General, Food, Movies and TV, Animals and Christmas, with 75 or more words each. Premium adds Gaming, Sports, Celebrities, Spicy and custom themes you type yourself. Want to run a round by hand or prepare clues? Browse 300+ Imposter game words with clue ideas, or find more word guessing games and party games to play online.
Imposter game FAQ
How do you play the Imposter game?
Everyone except the Imposter sees the same secret word. Players take turns giving one short clue, discuss, then vote for the player they think is bluffing. If the Imposter is caught, they get one final guess at the word.
Can I play the Imposter game online for free?
Yes. The game runs free in any browser with no app or account. Pass one phone around, or play in a Room where everyone joins on their own phone. Joining a Room is free; the Room host needs Premium.
How do you play the Imposter game online with friends?
The host opens a Room and shares the code or link. Everyone joins from their own phone or laptop, sees a private role, says their clue out loud in person or on a call, and votes on their own screen.
How many people can play?
You need at least 3 players. One-phone play supports 3 to 12 players. With 5 or more you can add a second Imposter, and with 7 or more a third.
Does the Imposter know the secret word?
No. In Classic mode the Imposter only sees that they are the Imposter. Turn on Hint mode to give them one subtle clue, or Undercover mode to give them a different word from the same theme without telling them.
What is the Imposter game with hints?
It is a variant where the Imposter gets one small clue about the secret word, so they have something to work with. In CardYard, open Game modes and turn on Hint for the Imposter.
What is Undercover mode?
In Undercover, the Imposter gets a similar word instead of nothing and does not know they are the odd one out. It is also played as Undercover or Who Is the Spy. Turn it on under Game modes.
Is this Imposter game free?
Yes. The full game, all four modes and five large word packs, including Christmas, are free. Premium adds more themes, custom themes and hosting online Rooms.
Is there an Imposter game app?
Yes. CardYard is available for iPhone and Android, and the browser version works without a download.