Game Master FAQ and Troubleshooting
Use this page when a round hits an awkward moment and you want a ruling that keeps the table moving without turning the game into an argument.
Edge-case habits that help before round one
- Keep one backup word ready before each reveal
- Decide in advance how you will handle late arrivals, missed submissions, and end-of-session ties
- Tell the table that the Game Master may swap a word or ask for a rewrite if the round would otherwise become obvious or unfair
What if someone already knows the word?
Treat the word as known and set it aside for this session. Choose a backup word instead of asking that player or Game Master to stay quiet, because the rest of the table will usually feel the difference.
If the player only thinks they know it, make a quick call. A smooth round with a fresh word is usually better than a long debate.
What if two fake definitions are almost identical?
If both answers can still be read as different ideas, keep them. If they are effectively the same bluff, ask one player for a fast rewrite before you start the reveal.
Do not merge the answers yourself unless the group already agreed on that house rule before the session.
What if a player misses the writing window?
Use one short grace period if the room is still settling. Once you have started collecting answers, keep the round moving.
The late player can still listen, vote, and score guess points for that round, but they usually should not add a bluff after collection has closed.
What if the Game Master needs to change?
Change it between rounds, not mid-capture or mid-vote.
If the saved roster is wrong, return the session to setup on /, repair it there, and treat /app as read-only saved-session support.
What if no one votes for the real definition?
That round still counts. Reveal the answer, award bluff points as normal, and move on.
If this happens more than once in a row, your word pack is probably too obscure for the room. Switch to a slightly easier word for the next round.
What if everyone votes for the real definition?
Award the correct-guess points and continue. No bluff points are earned because no bluff worked.
If the room keeps solving the words instantly, move to harder words or shorten the time players get to draft their fake definitions.
What if the vote is tied at the end of the session?
Pick the tiebreak rule before play if you can. The two easiest options are:
- Share the win
- Run one extra word as a final playoff round
For camps, classrooms, and mixed-age groups, sharing the win is often faster and calmer than adding one more high-pressure reveal.
What if players arrive late or need to leave early?
Add new players between rounds, not mid-reveal. If the table is already large, keep the active player list short instead of increasing the number of submissions.
If someone leaves early, continue with the remaining players or shorten the active roster at the next round break.
What if the room is too noisy or handwriting gives people away?
Switch to a collection method that hides authorship better:
- Have players submit answers on identical slips
- Ask a helper to rewrite answers in one handwriting
- Use one local device or notebook as the collection point
The goal is not perfect secrecy. It is to keep the bluffing fair enough that people are voting on the wording, not on who they think wrote it.
What if the shared device loses connection?
The Game Master workspace is local-first, so an active round should keep working on the same device even if the network drops.
If the device itself becomes unavailable, finish the current round on paper, keep the score sheet visible, and sync or re-enter notes later only if you need them.