What If? in a minute
What If? is a conversation game built on odd hypothetical questions. Someone reads a "What if…" scenario, everyone decides whether they would go along with it, and then you talk about why. There are no right answers and usually no points. That makes it an easy pick for families, long car rides and groups who don't know each other well yet.
How to play What If?
You need two or more people and a list of "What if" questions. You can play anywhere you can talk, and house rules vary, so treat these steps as a starting point.
- Read a scenario. One player reads a question such as "What if you could only travel by hot air balloon?"
- Decide in secret. Everyone quietly picks a side. Either you would, or there is no way.
- Reveal on three. Count down and show thumbs up or thumbs down together, so nobody copies anyone else.
- Explain yourself. Take turns saying why. This is the heart of the game, and follow-up questions are welcome.
- Pass the questions on. The next player reads a new scenario. Stop whenever you like.
See What If? on your phone
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I would or no way? -
Locked in -
See the split
Playing What If? online
In the online room, everyone sees the same "What if…" prompt and privately taps I would or No way. Your choice stays hidden until everyone has locked in or the host taps Reveal now. Then the room shows who leaned which way, and you say why out loud.
There is no score and no timer, so each round lasts as long as the conversation does. Rooms take 2 to 8 players, and the host picks 4, 6 or 8 prompts per match. Prompts come from Everyday, Adventures, Silly and Deep sets, or a mix.
The reveal is where the talking begins, so when you are apart it helps to see faces. Turn on the built-in video call, or keep FaceTime or Zoom running alongside the room. In the same room, put the phones down after the reveal and chat.
Tips and house rules
- Always ask for the reason. A quick "why?" turns a yes or no into a story.
- Mix silly prompts with deeper ones to keep the energy up.
- Let people change their mind after hearing the others, and notice who switches.
- For younger players, stick to silly and everyday scenarios.
- Once you run out of prompts, take turns inventing your own.
- In a big group, have each side pick one person to make its case.
100 What If? questions
Everyday
- What if you could only eat one cuisine for a year?
- What if you had to wake up at 5am every day?
- What if your phone could only make calls, nothing else?
- What if you had to move to a new city tomorrow?
- What if you could never use a password again?
- What if you had to give up coffee or tea forever?
- What if you could work a four-day week for less pay?
- What if you had to swap wardrobes with the person to your left?
- What if you could only listen to one album all week?
- What if every meal had to be cooked by you from scratch?
- What if you had to live without a fridge for a month?
- What if your commute doubled but your pay did too?
- What if you had to cycle everywhere for a month?
- What if you swapped bedrooms with someone at home for a week?
- What if you gave up all screens after 8pm?
- What if you had to hand-write every message for a week?
- What if you could only wear one colour for a month?
- What if you had to plan every meal a month in advance?
- What if a friend chose your breakfast every day?
- What if you could never use a lift or escalator again?
- What if you had to read one book a week all year?
- What if you went a whole week without a clock or watch?
- What if your home had no sofa, only beanbags?
- What if every chore at home was decided by a dice roll?
- What if you deleted every app on your phone except five?
Adventures
- What if you could take a year off to travel anywhere?
- What if you had to go skydiving this weekend?
- What if you could live on a boat for six months?
- What if you had to spend a night camping alone?
- What if you could move abroad but knew no one there?
- What if you had to learn to surf in a week?
- What if you could climb a mountain but had to train for a year?
- What if you took a road trip with no set destination?
- What if you had to swim with sharks (safely)?
- What if you could try every extreme sport once?
- What if you had to give a speech to a huge crowd?
- What if you could spend a week with no plans at all?
- What if you could spend a night in a museum after closing?
- What if you had to walk a 100-mile trail in one week?
- What if you could join a real archaeological dig for a month?
- What if you could live in a lighthouse for a whole winter?
- What if you had to learn to sail before your next holiday?
- What if you could visit Antarctica but had to camp on the ice?
- What if you could ride a zip line across a canyon?
- What if you spent a summer working on a farm?
- What if you could spend a month at a research station in the desert?
- What if you explored a new city with no phone and no map?
- What if you said yes to every invitation for a month?
- What if you could ride a dog sled across the Arctic?
- What if you could spend a night in an ice hotel?
Silly
- What if you had to talk in rhyme for a whole day?
- What if your pet could suddenly talk back?
- What if you had to wear a costume to every event this year?
- What if you could only walk everywhere by skipping?
- What if everything you touched turned into cheese?
- What if you had to narrate your own life out loud?
- What if your shadow did its own dance moves?
- What if you had to swap laughs with someone in the room?
- What if you could only communicate in emojis today?
- What if your fridge announced everything you ate?
- What if you had a theme song that played when you walked in?
- What if you had to end every sentence with 'ta-da'?
- What if you had to walk backwards for a whole day?
- What if your voice turned squeaky whenever you fibbed?
- What if you had to wear a suit of armour to school or work?
- What if your houseplants could vote on family decisions?
- What if you had to eat every meal standing on one leg?
- What if a talking parrot repeated everything you said?
- What if you had to swap names with the person on your right?
- What if your reflection always moved a second late?
- What if you could switch off gravity for an hour a day?
- What if you had to answer every phone call like a pirate?
- What if you could shrink to the size of an ant for a day?
- What if you could only talk by mime at dinner?
- What if your bed could fly you anywhere at night?
Deep
- What if you could know one true thing about your future?
- What if you could restart one year of your life?
- What if you had to give up one comfort to help many strangers?
- What if you could master any skill but forget a memory for it?
- What if you could send one message to your younger self?
- What if you had to choose between adventure and stability forever?
- What if you could feel exactly how others see you for a day?
- What if you could add ten years to your life but not choose when?
- What if you had to live somewhere with no seasons?
- What if you could trade a talent for a completely new one?
- What if you could keep only five possessions?
- What if you had to make a big decision by tonight?
- What if you could relive your happiest day once more?
- What if you could read minds but never switch it off?
- What if you had to tell the complete truth for a whole week?
- What if you could forget one embarrassing memory forever?
- What if you could talk to anyone from history for an hour?
- What if you could pause time but kept ageing while it was paused?
- What if you had to live without the internet for a year?
- What if you could swap lives with a friend for a month?
- What if you could only keep one photo from your whole life?
- What if you could take back one thing you've ever said?
- What if you wrote a letter tonight to open in ten years?
- What if you could choose what you dreamed about every night?
- What if you could never be bored again, but never surprised either?
What If? FAQ
How do you play What If?
Someone reads a "What if…" scenario. Everyone decides in secret whether they would go along with it, reveals at the same time, and then explains their choice.
How many people can play What If?
Two or more. In person there is no upper limit. The online room takes 2 to 8 players.
What are some good What If questions?
The best ones are strange but easy to picture. Try "What if dogs could talk?", "What if school started at noon?" or "What if you woke up able to speak every language?"
Is there a winner in What If?
Usually not. The fun is in hearing why people chose what they did. The online room keeps no score.
Can you play What If? on Zoom or FaceTime?
Yes. Keep your call running and share the room link, or use the video call built into the room. Everyone's choice stays private until the reveal.
Is it free to play What If? online?
Yes. The room is free in any browser, with no app to download and no account to create.
