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About Spyfall
Spyfall deals every player the same secret location, a submarine, a school or a beach, except for one player who gets the spy card. Players take turns asking each other questions about the place, trying to prove they know it without being so obvious that the spy catches on. The spy is listening for clues and bluffing every answer. Rounds are short and tense, and it works well as a quick filler for a group of six to eight.
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Is Spyfall Right for You?
Best for
Spyfall is for groups of four to eight who enjoy improvised questions and bluffing. It works best around six or seven, where the spy has cover but the questions still come round quickly. It is an easy pick for a mixed crowd because a single round takes only minutes.
Maybe skip it if…
Players who freeze when put on the spot will find the spy role stressful. Groups who play it often will learn the locations well, which makes the spy's job easier and some questions predictable.
How to Play Spyfall
Setup
Pick a location and deal one card per player from its packet, with one spy card swapped in. Start a timer for the round.
On Your Turn
- The dealer asks any player a question about the location. That player answers, then asks someone else, but not the person who just asked them.
- At any point, a player can call a vote to accuse someone. The accusation succeeds only if every other player agrees.
- At any point, the spy can reveal themself and try to name the location.
How to Win
Non-spies score if they correctly accuse the spy. The spy scores if they escape until time runs out, guess the location, or the table accuses an innocent player. Play several rounds and total the points.
💡 Strategy Tips
Ask questions vague enough that the spy learns nothing, but specific enough that an honest player can answer convincingly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Asking questions that give away the location. "What did the pilot say?" makes the spy's job trivial.
- Answering so vaguely you look like the spy. You need to be clear enough to convince the table.
- The spy waiting too long to guess. If you think you know the location, stop the round before someone accuses you.
- Forgetting the location list. Everyone, including the spy, should have the list of possible locations in view.
Advanced Strategy
- As the spy, answer with something generic but confident, then turn the question on someone you suspect is careless.
- As a non-spy, mention a detail that only fits two or three locations. Fellow players will nod, the spy will not.
- Watch for people who repeat earlier answers. Echoing is a common spy survival trick.
- Accuse sooner rather than later if you are confident. Every extra question gives the spy more clues.
Variants & House Rules
Spyfall 2
A standalone sequel with new locations that raises the player count to 12 and allows two spies. It can be mixed with the original.
House rule: no scoring
Many groups ignore the points and just play quick single rounds, swapping dealers each time.
Video Guides
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Our Verdict
Spyfall is a quick, clever bluffing game that teaches in two minutes and makes a great filler for a group. Its BGG rating is modest, partly because the question loop gets familiar over many plays. As an occasional opener for six or seven, we recommend it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players is Spyfall best with?
Six or seven. It works from four, but three is thin, and eight is the limit for the original box.
What is the difference between Spyfall and Spyfall 2?
Spyfall 2 has new locations and supports up to 12 players with two spies. The rules are otherwise very similar.
Can you play online?
Many groups play over video calls using free web versions or by dealing locations privately. The box is not required to play remotely.