Sherlock

Play Sherlock 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 7+.

Play online party games with friends.

Setup

Assign one person to be Sherlock. They will be the detective for the round. Instruct Sherlock to leave the room. The remaining players then discuss and agree to change one thing to change. For example, a person in the group may take off their hat or two people may change places. You can come up with anything as long as it's obvious if you were to pay attention, for example, put somebodies hair in a ponytail. The change can also take place among multiple or all people, for example, everyone could untie their shoelaces. Once players are ready, invite Sherlock back into the room to investigate.

How to Play

Sherlock may walk around and inspect everybody and everything as he or she pleases. They must try to use their detective skills to find out what has changed. After one minute if Sherlock still has no idea, players can offer one small clue. If after two minutes Sherlock still has not guessed correctly the other players win. But if Sherlock correctly guesses, Sherlock wins the round! Play multiple rounds letting other players be Sherlock.

Frequently asked questions

How many people do you need to play Sherlock?

Sherlock is designed for 3+ players. It works best when everyone can hear each other and take turns quickly.

How long does Sherlock take?

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

Can you play Sherlock without extra props?

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

Can kids play Sherlock?

Sherlock is recommended for ages 7+. For younger groups, read the rules first and choose categories or prompts that fit the room.