How to play Fib

Fib is a party bluffing game for three or more players. Everyone gets the same secret word, except the spy, who has to blend in. You can learn it in a minute and play it with one phone.

1. Set up the roundChoose the number of players (three or more), how many spies (one for most groups, up to a third of the table), a mode, a word pack and the round timer. Eight minutes is the default.
2. Pass the phoneEach player takes the phone in turn, flips their card, reads it in silence and swipes it away before handing the phone on. Civilians see the secret word. The spy sees the spy role instead.
3. Ask questionsTake turns asking each other questions about the word. Be vague enough to hide if you are the spy, and specific enough to catch someone who does not know it.
4. VoteWhen you are ready, or when the timer runs out, vote together for who you think the spy is. Catch the spy and the civilians win. If the group picks the wrong person, the spy wins.

The three modes

• ClassicThe spy knows the role but not the word, and has to bluff.
• Two WordsIs everyone talking about the same thing?
• Blind SpyEven the spy doesn’t know. Everyone looks like a civilian.

Settings you can change

• Show the category to the spy. Off by default; turn it on to give the spy a small hint.
• Spies know each other. Off by default; useful in bigger groups with more than one spy.
• Random reveal order. Off by default; shuffles who looks at their card first.
• Words or pictures. In picture mode civilians see a picture and the spy sees only the theme.

Tips for a better round

• Start with Classic for your first game, then try Two Words and Blind Spy.
• Keep questions short and answers short too. Long speeches give the spy room to hide.
• Do not name the word. Describe what it does, where it lives or how it feels.
• A larger table can add a second spy. The cap is one third of the players, rounded up.

Playing with a particular group size? See games for 3 players up to 12 players, or a large group.