Party Games
How to play Heads Up!
Guess the word displayed on the phone from other players' clues.
QUICK ANSWER
How do you play Heads Up!?
Clue-givers describe or act out the displayed answer. The guesser says answers aloud. Tilt or mark the card correct after a right answer and pass when stuck. Count correct answers when time ends.
Jump to the step-by-step rules ↓EDITOR'S TABLE NOTES
Is Heads Up! a good fit for your group?
This game works especially well for social groups that value laughter, participation, and short explanations more than detailed strategy; the listed 2+-player range and 5–30 min playing time should also fit the group. Before setting up, decide whether that matches the experience your group wants today.
Rules version covered here
This guide uses a simple, inclusive version designed to keep everyone involved. Decide the time limit, clue restrictions, and tie procedure before beginning. For Heads Up!, pay particular attention to the stated setup and ending condition below.
QUICK VIDEO GUIDE
Learn Heads Up! in under a minute
About this video
This original mini lesson covers what you need, setup, normal play, the winning condition, and one beginner tip. Continue below for the complete written guide.
INTERACTIVE LEARN-TO-PLAY
Practice Heads Up! before the first round
Walk through the setup, try a sample turn, and get a quick answer when play stalls.
Choose a category and place the phone against the guesser's forehead.
Make sure clue-givers can see the screen.
Playable example turn
Step 1 of 4
Clue-givers describe or act out the displayed answer.
What should we do now?
Start with this action: Clue-givers describe or act out the displayed answer.
Scoring and winning
Count correct answers when time ends.
Common dispute to prevent
Saying part of the answer. Agree on any edition-specific variation before the first turn.
The objective
Your goal is to guess the word displayed on the phone from other players' clues. Before play begins, make sure every player can explain how the game ends and what determines the winner. That one check prevents many mid-game disagreements.
What you need
A phone with Heads Up! or homemade cards and a timer. Lay out every required item before teaching the rules. If pieces, cards, controllers, or play space are missing, resolve that before the practice turn.
How to set up
- Choose a category and place the phone against the guesser's forehead.
- Make sure clue-givers can see the screen.
Setup check: Ask one player who did not arrange the game to compare the table, field, or screen with these steps. A fresh look often catches an incorrect starting position.
How to play: step by step
- Clue-givers describe or act out the displayed answer.
- The guesser says answers aloud.
- Tilt or mark the card correct after a right answer and pass when stuck.
- Count correct answers when time ends.
Example first round
A useful first-round walkthrough for Heads Up! begins this way: Clue-givers describe or act out the displayed answer. Next, the guesser says answers aloud. Continue in normal turn order until the ending condition applies: count correct answers when time ends.
How scoring and winning work
- The result is determined by the guide's stated objective: Guess the word displayed on the phone from other players' clues.
- The final step explains when play stops: Count correct answers when time ends.
- For the most common rules question, use this clarification consistently: Yes, one gives clues and one guesses.
Useful variations
- Use teams or allow a pass so shy players can participate without being singled out.
- For a shorter session, announce a stopping time before starting; 5–30 min is the normal planning range for Heads Up!.
- When playing with beginners, demonstrate this strategy before scoring begins: Give the most distinctive clue first.
Beginner strategies
- Give the most distinctive clue first.
- Pass quickly when a word stalls the group.
Choose one of these ideas for the first game instead of trying to remember every strategy at once. Afterward, identify one decision that changed the result and one move you would test next time.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Saying part of the answer.
- Giving clues too quietly for the guesser.
If an illegal move is discovered, pause and agree on the least disruptive correction. For casual play, consistency and a shared understanding matter more than reconstructing many turns.
Frequently asked questions
Can two people play?
Yes, one gives clues and one guesses.
Are homemade cards allowed?
Yes.
Related party games guides
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