1
Choose a word
The Active Player looks at their cards and selects a word that can be described using two cards from their hand
2
Play the first evidence card
The Active Player places one card face-up in the center of the table that reflects their chosen word, then immediately draws a new card from the deck
3
Define roles secretly
The Active Player writes the chosen word in each notebook except one, shuffles the notebooks, and distributes one to each other player; the player receiving the blank notebook becomes the Conspirator, while all others are Detectives
4
Play cards clockwise
Starting with the player to the Active Player's left, each player plays one card that matches the word written in their notebooks; the Conspirator must analyze previously played cards to guess what might fit
5
Play second round of cards
After all players have played one card, the Active Player plays a second card to the center, then all other players play their second card in front of themselves
6
Maintain hand size
Whenever a player plays an Evidence Card, they immediately draw a new card to always have 6 cards in hand
7
Keep secrets hidden
Players must keep their notebooks secret at all times; no one knows who the Conspirator is except the Conspirator themselves
8
Discuss and explain
After everyone has played two cards, the Active Player reveals the word and explains why they chose their two cards to reflect it; all other players do the same in clockwise order
9
Vote for the Conspirator
After explanations, players vote to identify who they think is the Conspirator; starting from the player to the Active Player's left, each player places their Voting Chip near another player's marker (not their own); the Active Player does not participate in voting
10
Score for correct accusations
Each Detective who placed their Voting Chip on the Conspirator's marker earns 3 VP
11
Score for Conspirator success
If 0 or 1 Voting Chips are on the Conspirator's marker, the Conspirator earns 5 VP and the Active Player earns 4 VP
12
No points for failure
If 2 or more Voting Chips are on the Conspirator's marker, neither the Conspirator nor the Active Player earn any VP
13
Keep VP chips face-down
Players keep their VP Chips face-down until the end of the game
14
Pass the Active Player marker
After scoring, pass the marker to the player on the left, who becomes the new Active Player and collects all notebooks; cross out the previous word in all notebooks to avoid confusion
