The quick version
Secretly deal a master, an insider and commoners. Let the master and, while the master’s eyes are closed, the insider read the same word. Ask the master yes-or-no questions for up to five minutes. If nobody solves it, everyone loses. If solved, discuss for two minutes and vote simultaneously for one non-master. A unique most-voted insider loses; otherwise the insider wins.
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Let two people learn the word
Use exactly one Master card, one Insider card and enough Commoner cards for the group. Shuffle and deal. The master reveals their role, leaving every other role hidden. Choose a suitable word card without reading answers aloud; use the number on the next card’s back to identify the entry as directed by the set.
Everyone but the master closes their eyes. The master reads the word, places it where the insider can read it, then closes their eyes and tells the insider to open theirs. After a short pause, the master tells the insider to close their eyes. The master opens theirs, hides the word again, then tells everyone to open their eyes. The master must not watch the insider. Nobody changes seats or touches anyone during this sequence.
Solve first, then examine the questions
Turn the five-minute hourglass. Anyone may ask the master a question or propose the answer. The master replies only yes, no or “I don’t know.” Ask about meaning, use, size or place; do not ask about spelling or the physical card. The insider participates too and needs the word solved to have any chance to win.
When someone says the correct word, stop the hunt and confirm it. If five minutes expire first, everybody loses that round, including the insider. Reveal roles and finish. The master should not rescue the group with hints.
For this house resolution, start two minutes of discussion. Each player, including the master, may explain which questions seemed informed. Keep roles hidden. At the end, everyone simultaneously points at exactly one non-master, with spoken names available instead of pointing. No self-votes. A uniquely most-voted player is accused. If that player is the insider, the master and commoners win. Any other result, including a tied highest vote, gives the insider the win.
Reveal roles. One word and its result complete a game; no running score is required. For another, reshuffle roles and choose a fresh word. If the secret word or insider is exposed during setup, restart with new roles and a new word before timing begins.
Notice reasoning rather than personalities
A useful accusation points to a question that suddenly narrowed the answer, not somebody’s confidence, accent or body language. Give quieter players room to ask. If the master cannot interpret a question, “I don’t know” is a legal response. Choose common concrete words for the first few attempts.
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Ideas & Twists
Choose a variation together before you start.
Insider · See main rules
House suggestionQuestions in order
Go clockwise around non-masters, with one question or one answer guess each; passing is allowed. The master replies after each. Keep the five-minute limit and the same house discussion and vote.
Insider · See main rules
House suggestionOne final guesser
After dealing roles and revealing the master, choose one non-master as the final guesser. Anyone may ask questions, but only that chosen player may announce an answer. They may guess repeatedly during the five minutes. Their hidden role may be commoner or insider; nobody reveals it when chosen. Resolve the word hunt and vote normally.
Insider · See main rules
House suggestionThree-minute hunt
Use a separate three-minute timer for word solving. Keep the two-minute discussion and simultaneous vote unchanged. Agree the shorter limit before roles are dealt; if no answer is found, everyone still loses.
Insider · See main rules
House suggestionEveryday objects
Replace the selected word with an ordinary object chosen privately by the master, such as a stapler or colander. Write it on a paper slip for the normal secret-viewing sequence. The master is still playing against the insider and should choose a fair, recognizable answer.
Insider · See main rules
House suggestionWritten suspicions
At the start of the two-minute discussion, everyone privately writes one suspect and one question that made them suspicious. Then discuss and cast the usual final vote; nobody must keep their initial choice. Reveal the initial notes only after roles, to compare how opinions changed. Add paper and pens.
About this guide
The main word hunt and 4–8 count are published. The fixed two-minute discussion, single simultaneous plurality vote, no-self-vote rule and tie favoring the insider are an explicit house replacement for the original answerer-first voting procedure; do not describe this resolution as official.
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