How to Play

Just One

3-7 players 20-60 min 7.6 Board Game Geek Rating

Teams collaborate to help one player guess mystery words using written clues. All non-guessing players see the word and secretly write hints. Identical clues get discarded, so creativity matters. The guesser sees remaining unique clues and attempts to identify the word. Correct guesses earn points, while wrong answers cost previously earned points.

Published 2018

Get Ready

Setup the game with these step-by-step instructions before diving into your turn.

Shuffle and prepare deck

Shuffle all cards, take any 13 cards and place them face-down in the middle of the table; return remaining cards to the box

Distribute equipment

Give each player one stand and one marker

Select first active player

Choose any player to be the first guesser

On Your Turn

What you can do during your turn.

Draw a card

The active player takes the top card from the deck without looking at it and places it on their stand so other players can see the words

Choose a number

The active player selects a number from 1 to 5 to indicate which word they will guess

Write clues secretly

Each player writes a one-word clue on their stand without discussing or showing it to others

Avoid forbidden clues

Do not write the secret word with altered spelling, the word in a foreign language, words sharing a root with the secret word, made-up words, or homophones with different meanings

Close eyes for comparison

After all clues are written, the active player closes their eyes

Compare and eliminate clues

Players reveal their stands and remove all identical or forbidden clues by flipping stands face-down

Guess the word

The active player opens their eyes and has only one attempt to guess the word based on remaining clues

Record success

If guessed correctly, place the card face-up near the deck

Record failure

If guessed incorrectly, place that card AND the top card of the deck into the box

Skip turn option

If the active player chooses not to guess, place only that card into the box