Public rules and Game Master advice

Rules, host notes, and a clear path into the live round

Use these pages to brief the room and settle quick questions before or between rounds. Start from `/`, then move into `/game` once setup is complete and the table needs the live runtime.

Start with the public briefing, then set up the table on /

Use this page to explain the shipped flow before the table starts. "Баллоны и насосы", also known in some groups as "Надуваловка", runs from one shared device: one Game Master keeps the true definition private, today’s active players submit one bluff each in sequence, then /game handles the reveal, vote capture, scoring, and the next round.

Route map

  • / is the setup home for roster edits, round settings, pack choice, and the handoff into live play
  • /guides holds the rules and Game Master advice
  • /game is the live round surface for the private word step, capture, reveal, voting, and scoring
  • /app stays outside the live hot path for saved-session review, archive history, and clean restarts from archived rosters

Player count quick picks

Group sizeBest setupWhy it works
4 to 6 playersEveryone plays individuallyFast handoffs and easy scoring
7 to 10 playersStill workable if the group writes quicklyStill manageable if the Game Master keeps the reveal moving
10 to 16 playersParallel tables or a trimmed active rosterFewer submitted definitions keeps the reveal readable
More than 16 playersParallel tablesPrevents one shared-device queue from dragging too long

Need the longer version? See the player counts and format guide.

What to prepare before round one

  • One shared device with a local word pack ready to open from /
  • A backup list in case the current Game Master or another player already knows the active word
  • A visible score plan for round points and running totals
  • A short briefing that explains the Game Master role, the one-device handoff, and the self-vote rule
  • A backup word ready before the reveal in case the table needs a quick swap

Use the full Game Master setup checklist if you are hosting for a camp, class, or larger player event and want the /guides to / to /game handoff to stay smooth.

One-round flow

  1. Start or resume the table from /. Move into /game once setup is complete.
  2. In /game, pick one unusual word and keep the real definition on the shared device.
  3. Confirm the current Game Master for the round. That player does not submit a bluff for the same round.
  4. Pass the device to each active non-Game-Master player one at a time and capture one fake definition per player.
  5. Freeze the reveal deck, read the mixed answers aloud, and keep authorship hidden.
  6. Record one vote from each active non-Game-Master player. No player may vote for their own option.
  7. Reveal the true answer, award guess points and bluff points, then start the next round when the table is ready.

For the full walkthrough, edge cases, and end-of-session guidance, open how to play "Баллоны и насосы".

Scoring summary

  • Balanced scoring is the easiest default: 1 point for a correct guess and 1 point for each opponent fooled by your fake definition
  • Keep round points visible so players can track both bluffing success and accurate guesses before the next round starts

Compare the scoring options guide if you want a bluff-heavy or guess-heavy variant.