Paranoia

Play Paranoia with friends — 4+ players, 10 minutes. Play online party games with friends. Free in Pocket Party with 150+ IRL social games.

4+ players, about 10 minutes, ages 18+.

Play online party games with friends.

Setup

Players sit in a circle or around a table. Choose a starting player.

How to Play

The game starts with one player holding the coin. This player quietly asks another player a question. The question must be asked privately so that only the two of them hear it. The player who was asked the question must answer out loud for everyone to hear. After answering, they flip the coin. If the coin lands on heads, the question must be revealed to the entire group. If it's tails, the question remains a secret. The player who answered the question then takes the coin and chooses another player to ask a new question. The player receiving the coin must take a drink (or another agreed upon penalty). Additionally, every time the coin lands on heads and a question is revealed, everyone in the group must take a drink. The game continues with players asking and answering questions, flipping the coin, and passing it around.

Frequently asked questions

How many people do you need to play Paranoia?

Paranoia is designed for 4+ players. It works best when everyone can hear each other and take turns quickly.

How long does Paranoia take?

A round of Paranoia usually takes about 10 minutes, depending on group size and how much discussion your players add.

Can you play Paranoia without extra props?

Paranoia is built to be lightweight. Check the on-page rules for any simple materials your group might need before you start.

Can you play Paranoia online?

Yes. You can open Paranoia in Pocket Party and use the app or browser flow to get your group into the game quickly.

Can kids play Paranoia?

Paranoia is recommended for ages 18+. For younger groups, read the rules first and choose categories or prompts that fit the room.