Psychiatrist
The group secretly agrees on a rule for answering questions. One player has to work out what it is.
the best bit: realizing everyone's been answering as the person on their left
- Players
- 5–15 (best with 6–10)
- Time
- 15–40 min
- Learn in
- Seconds
- Mood
- Lively
- Format
- One vs. everyone
The 30-second version
One player, the Psychiatrist, leaves the room. Everyone else agrees on a secret rule for answering questions, like answering as if they were the person on their left. The Psychiatrist comes back and asks anyone anything until they can name the rule.
honestly, just read this out and go.
Grab these
Nothing at all. just your people.
Set up
- Pick someone to be the Psychiatrist and send them out of the room.
- Everyone else picks a secret rule for how they'll answer questions. For your first game, use one from the list below.
How to play
-
Ask anything
The Psychiatrist comes back and asks people questions, one at a time: "What did you have for breakfast?" "Where did you grow up?"
-
Answer by the rule
Everyone answers following the secret rule, and tells the truth wherever the rule allows.
-
Shout "Psychiatrist!"
If someone gets the rule wrong, anyone can shout "Psychiatrist!" Then everyone gets up and switches seats, which makes rules about where people sit much harder to spot.
-
Diagnose
The Psychiatrist can guess the rule at any time. Keep going until they get it, then someone else takes a turn.
How to win
Nobody keeps score. If your group wants a winner, count how many questions each Psychiatrist needs. Fewest wins.
Rules to try
- Answer as if you were the person on your left.
- Answer the question that was asked before yours.
- Lie if you're wearing blue. Tell the truth if you're not.
- Start every answer with the first letter of your own name.
- Touch your face before you answer.
From experience…
- Psychiatrists: ask questions you can check, like "What color is your shirt?" Lies stand out.
- Pick a rule that can actually be worked out. The fun is the moment it clicks, not watching someone stay stumped.