Ghost
Play Ghost with friends — 3+ players, 10 minutes. Play online party games with friends. Free in Pocket Party with 150+ IRL social games.
3+ players, about 10 minutes, ages 8+.
Play online party games with friends.
Setup
Determine the player order and select the player who will start the round. Make sure all players understand the rules, particularly the importance of not completing a word and the use of bluffing and challenging strategies.
How to Play
The initial player starts the game by saying any letter of the alphabet. For instance, Player 1 might say "S". The next player, moving in a clockwise direction, adds a letter to the initial one to start forming a word, ensuring it doesn't complete a valid word of four letters or more. For example, Player 2 might say "W", beginning to spell what could become "swim", "swing", "sweep", etc. If a player cannot think of a continuation, they have two options: a) Bluff by adding a seemingly random letter, hoping it doesn't form a valid word. For instance, if the current letters are "S-W-I", a player might bluff by adding "X", hoping it doesn't inadvertently form a valid word. b) Challenge the previous player if they believe a bluff has been made. For example, if a player adds "X" to "S-W-I", the next player might challenge them to reveal a valid word beginning with "S-W-I-X". If the challenged player can't provide a valid word, they're eliminated, or if they do provide a valid word, the challenger is eliminated. A player can also be eliminated if they complete a word and no additional letters can form another valid word. For example, if players spell "F-A-C-T", the player who added the "T" is eliminated as they have completed a four-letter word, and no other letters can form a new valid word from "FACT". Once a player is eliminated, they become a "ghost" and are out of the game, and a new round begins without them. The person who starts the next word is the player to the right of the person who started last time. This ensures that everybody takes turns being the first to play. The game proceeds until only one player remains. This player wins the game.
Frequently asked questions
How many people do you need to play Ghost?
Ghost is designed for 3+ players. It works best when everyone can hear each other and take turns quickly.
How long does Ghost take?
A round of Ghost usually takes about 10 minutes, depending on group size and how much discussion your players add.
Can you play Ghost without extra props?
Yes. Pocket Party handles the prompts, roles, or setup for Ghost, so you do not need a printed deck or complicated equipment.
Can kids play Ghost?
Ghost is recommended for ages 8+. For younger groups, read the rules first and choose categories or prompts that fit the room.
Categories
Adults, Sitting, word game, family, Quick, free, editors choice
Game categories
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