Thumb Wars

Play Thumb Wars with friends — 2 players, 5 minutes. Play online party games with friends. Free in Pocket Party with 150+ IRL social games.

2 players, about 5 minutes, ages 6+.

Play online party games with friends.

Setup

Find a partner and stand face-to-face. Interlock fingers, ensuring that thumbs remain upright and free to move. Both players chant together, "One, two, three, four, I declare a thumb war!" to begin the match.

How to Play

Following the chant, players wrestle using only their thumbs. The aim is to pin the opponent's thumb down. The player must hold the opponent's thumb down long enough to say '1 2 3 4 I win the thumb war!' The first player to achieve this is declared the winner of that round. Typically players play to the best of 3 rounds.

Frequently asked questions

How many people do you need to play Thumb Wars?

Thumb Wars is designed for 2 players. It works best when everyone can hear each other and take turns quickly.

How long does Thumb Wars take?

A round of Thumb Wars usually takes about 5 minutes, depending on group size and how much discussion your players add.

Can you play Thumb Wars without extra props?

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

Can kids play Thumb Wars?

Thumb Wars is recommended for ages 6+. For younger groups, read the rules first and choose categories or prompts that fit the room.