Social deduction and party games to play with friends
Mafia, Werewolf, Secret Hitler, Blood on the Clocktower: the best games for a group are the ones where someone at the table is lying. Below are simple rules for each, so you can teach them in five minutes.
No group to play with? SyncTrip game nights put you at a table with people near you who love the same games. Most people come alone.
Rules for the best party games
Pick a game to learn how it works, how to win, and where to play it.
Mafia6–15+ players · 20–40 minThe classic party game of lying, accusing and voting people out.
Secret Hitler5–10 players · ~45 minA tense game of elections, policies and a hidden leader, set in 1930s Germany.
Blood on the Clocktower5–20 players · 60–120 minThe deepest social deduction game there is, run by a Storyteller.
Werewolf6–20 players · 20–45 minHunt the werewolves in your village before they eat everyone.
Spyfall3–8 players · ~10 min a roundEveryone knows where you are, except the spy.
Coup2–6 players · ~15 minA 15-minute bluffing game where anyone might be lying.
Avalon5–10 players · ~30 minArthur's knights against Mordred's spies, with no player eliminations.Game nights coming up on SyncTrip
Board-game and social deduction nights hosted by SyncTrip clubs. Join one, or post your own.
Board-game cafés by city
Game night questions
What are social deduction games?
Games where players have hidden roles and some of them are lying. The rest of the table has to work out who to trust through discussion and votes. Mafia, Werewolf, Secret Hitler, Avalon and Blood on the Clocktower are the best-known.
What are the best party games for adults?
For big groups: Mafia, Werewolf and Blood on the Clocktower. For 5–10 players: Secret Hitler and Avalon. For quick rounds: Spyfall and Coup.
Which game is best for beginners?
Mafia or Werewolf. They need no materials beyond a deck of cards, and the rules take two minutes to explain.
Where can I find people to play board games with?
Join a SyncTrip game night, or post your own and let people nearby join. Hosts run social deduction and board-game nights at cafés, and most people come alone.