How to play Word & Deed
Two teams, one pile of words, three rounds. The rule gets stricter each round; the words stay the same.
- 4–12 players, two teams
- 8–30 min
- TV recommended
A turn
- 1Performer
Tap Start
When you're up and ready. The clock starts then: 60 seconds by default.
- 2Their team
Guess out loud
The performer follows this round's rule. Only their own team's guesses count.
- 3Performer
Got it or Skip
Got it scores a point. Skip puts the word at the back of the pile, once a turn.
- 4Everyone
Time's up
The other team is up, with its next player in seat order.
- 5Everyone
Pile empty
The round ends and the same words come back under the next rule. Three rounds in all.
The three rounds
The table judges the rules; the app never does. The host can undo a disputed point.
| Round | You may | You may not |
|---|---|---|
| 1 · Describe | Talk, gesture and make ordinary sounds. | Say the answer, part of it, or a translation. |
| 2 · One word | Say one clue word, and repeat it. | Add a second word, gestures or hint sounds. |
| 3 · Act | Act, with gestures and faces. | Talk, make hint sounds, or write letters in the air. |
Say the answer is Snorkel. Round 1: “You breathe through it face down in the water” ✓, “Snor…” ✗. Round 2: “Tube! Tube!” ✓, “Tube… mask” ✗.
Scoring
A pointEvery Got it scores 1 for the performer's team.
WinningMost points after three rounds. A tie is shared; there is no overtime.
Good to know
Wrong tap?
The performer can undo a Got it within 5 seconds. The host can undo one per turn.
Performer dropped?
After 30 seconds offline, the host can skip their turn.
The other team shouted it?
It doesn't count. But listen: the same words come back next round.
Host settings: length (short, standard, long) · 45, 60 or 90 s turns (45 and 90 s are Plus) · teams by seat or at random · word language or Universal · Plus settings are free in every room during Early Access
Your phones keep the pile, the clock and the score.
Play Word & Deed