Secret Hitler rules: how to play, explained simply
Secret Hitler is a social deduction game by Goat Wolf & Cabbage. Players are secretly split into Liberals and Fascists, and one Fascist is Hitler. The Liberals are the majority but don't know who anyone is; the Fascists know each other and need to stay hidden long enough to take over.
Every round the table elects a President and a Chancellor, who pass laws behind a screen of lies. It is one of the best games for a group that likes arguing.
Teams and roles in Secret Hitler
A tense game of elections, policies and a hidden leader, set in 1930s Germany.
Liberals
The majority. They don't know anyone's role and must work out who to trust from votes and laws passed.
Fascists
The minority. They know each other (and who Hitler is) and try to pass Fascist laws or get Hitler elected.
Hitler
On the Fascist team. In larger games Hitler doesn't know who the Fascists are, so has to play it safe.
How to play Secret Hitler
Deal secret roles. The Fascists open their eyes to see each other and Hitler (in 5–6 player games Hitler sees them too).
The presidency rotates around the table. The presidential candidate nominates a Chancellor, and everyone votes Ja! (yes) or Nein! (no) at the same time.
If the vote fails, the presidency moves on; three failed elections in a row and the top law is passed automatically.
If it passes, the President secretly draws three policy cards, discards one and hands two to the Chancellor, who discards one and enacts the other. The deck has more Fascist than Liberal policies, so bad luck and lies look the same.
Some Fascist policies give the President a power: investigate a player's party, pick the next presidential candidate, peek at the next policies, or execute a player.
How to win
- Liberals win by enacting five Liberal policies or by executing Hitler.
- Fascists win by enacting six Fascist policies, or if Hitler is elected Chancellor after three Fascist policies are on the board.
Tips for your first game
Liberals: track every vote. Who keeps approving the same Chancellor?
After three Fascist policies, never vote in a Chancellor you can't vouch for.
Fascists: pass a Liberal policy now and then to earn trust.
Play Secret Hitler with people near you
Upcoming SyncTrip board-game and social deduction nights. Most people come alone.
Game cafés and game nights by city
Secret Hitler: questions people ask
How many players do you need for Secret Hitler?
Five to ten. It plays best with seven to ten, when Hitler no longer knows the other Fascists.
How long does a game of Secret Hitler take?
Around 30–45 minutes, plus a few minutes to explain the rules on a first game.
Where can I play Secret Hitler in India?
Board-game cafés and SyncTrip game nights run social deduction games like Secret Hitler. See the upcoming nights on this page, or post your own table on the SyncTrip app.
