Paranoia in a minute
Paranoia is the party game where one player whispers a question, the next answers out loud with someone's name, and everyone else is left wondering what was asked. The question is usually a friendly "Who in this room…" one. The named player gets a chance to find out, and the curiosity is the whole game.
How to play Paranoia
You need at least three players, and four to eight is ideal. Sit in a circle and have a coin handy.
- Whisper a question. The first player whispers a question to the person next to them. The answer has to be someone in the group, for example "Who here would be best at running a café?".
- Answer with a name, out loud. The listener says the name of the person they choose, loud enough for everyone to hear. They do not repeat the question.
- Flip for the question. The named player can flip a coin to find out what was asked. On heads, the question is said out loud. On tails, it stays a secret.
- Move around the circle. The player who answered now whispers a new question to the next person, and play continues until everyone has had a few turns.
Ways to decide the reveal
- Coin flip: heads reveals the question, tails keeps it secret. This is the most common rule.
- Dice roll: an even number reveals it.
- Named player's choice: they decide whether they want to know. This is how the online room works.
- House rules vary. Some groups let the named player do a small forfeit, like telling a joke, to hear the question.
See Paranoia on your phone
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A question only you see -
Reveal it or keep it secret -
The room finds out
Playing Paranoia online
Online, the room does the whispering. Each round one player, in turn, gets a secret question that only their phone shows. Different question swaps it for another. They tap the friend who fits best, and everyone sees who was chosen. The chosen player then decides to reveal the question or keep it secret. A secret question is never shown to anyone, even after the game.
Rooms hold up to 8 players, and the game is best with three or more. The host picks 4, 6 or 8 rounds and a category of Funny, Friendly or Adventurous, or a mix of all three. Choosing a player and deciding on the reveal each have a 90-second timer. If time runs out the question stays secret. There is no score.
If you are together, react out loud when a name is picked. If you are apart, turn on the built-in video call to catch everyone's faces, or keep your usual FaceTime or Zoom call running and share the room link.
Tips and house rules
- Ask questions that are nice to be named for, like "Who would you call in an emergency?". The mystery works best when being picked feels like a compliment.
- Keep a poker face when you say the name. Smiling gives the game away.
- If someone is named a lot without hearing why, let them have one free reveal.
- For younger players, write the questions together beforehand so everyone knows the list is friendly.
- In a big group, whisper to someone across the circle instead of next to you so nobody can lip-read.
- Play a final round where every secret question is read out, if the group agrees.
60 Paranoia questions
Funny
- Who here would laugh at the worst possible moment?
- Who is most likely to trip over absolutely nothing?
- Who would win a staring contest with a cat?
- Who has the most chaotic phone camera roll?
- Who would talk their way out of any awkward situation?
- Who is secretly the funniest person here?
- Who would forget their own birthday?
- Who gives the best dramatic reaction?
- Who would give away their hiding spot by giggling?
- Who would get into an argument with a smart speaker?
- Who would reply 'you too' when a waiter says 'enjoy your meal'?
- Who in this room would make the best cartoon villain?
- Who could turn a five-minute story into a twenty-minute epic?
- Who would pour the milk before the cereal and defend it?
- Who here has the most unexpected signature dance move?
- Who would fall for an obvious April Fools' joke every year?
- Who will still be telling the same joke ten years from now?
- Who is most likely to get a song stuck in everyone's head?
- Who would accidentally go viral for something ridiculous?
- Who would give the family wifi the silliest name?
Friendly
- Who here gives the best advice?
- Who would drop everything to help a friend?
- Who is the best secret-keeper in the room?
- Who always remembers the little things?
- Who would you trust to plan the perfect surprise?
- Who lights up the room the moment they arrive?
- Who is the most patient person here?
- Who here would make the best teacher?
- Who would you call first with exciting news?
- Who in this room always knows how to cheer someone up?
- Who would you want next to you on a long train journey?
- Who here is the best listener?
- Who would be the calmest person in an emergency?
- Who would make an amazing team captain?
- Who sends the kindest messages?
- Who would you trust to look after your pet for a week?
- Who makes sure everyone feels included?
- Who would stand up for a friend without being asked?
- Who in this room has changed the most since you first met?
- Who would you pick as your partner for a three-legged race?
Adventurous
- Who would say yes to a spontaneous road trip?
- Who is most likely to try the scariest ride first?
- Who would move to a new country on a whim?
- Who would eat the strangest food on the menu?
- Who would survive the longest on a deserted island?
- Who is most likely to pick up a wild new hobby?
- Who would go skydiving without a second thought?
- Who would get lost on purpose just to explore?
- Who would volunteer first to help with a magic trick on stage?
- Who here would happily try any sport once?
- Who would sign up for a trip to the moon tomorrow?
- Who would swim with sharks given the chance?
- Who would enter a talent show with no rehearsal?
- Who would run away to join the circus?
- Who would build a treehouse and live in it for a week?
- Who would follow a treasure map with only a riddle as a clue?
- Who would jump in the sea even when it's freezing?
- Who would happily hold a snake or a spider?
- Who in this room would sign up for a polar expedition?
- Who would be first in line for a hot-air balloon ride?
Paranoia FAQ
How do you play Paranoia?
One player whispers a "who in this room" question to the next. That player says a name out loud without repeating the question. The named player can flip a coin, and on heads the question is revealed.
How many people do you need?
At least three, so there is someone to name besides the asker. Four to eight is ideal. The online room holds up to 8 players.
Can you pick yourself in Paranoia?
Usually not, since the fun is in naming someone else. The online room does not let you choose yourself.
What are good Paranoia questions for families?
Pick questions that are kind to be named for, like who would be the best teacher or who tells the funniest stories. The questions listed above are written for all ages.
Can you play Paranoia on Zoom or FaceTime?
Yes. Whispering is hard on a call, so the room shows the question only on the asker's phone. Keep your call running and share the room link, or use the built-in video call.
Is it free to play Paranoia online?
Yes. The room is free in any browser, with no app to download and no account to create.
