Party Games
How to play Simon Says
Follow commands only when they begin with the words Simon says.
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How do you play Simon Says?
Simon gives action commands. Players obey only commands beginning with Simon says. Anyone who follows a command without the phrase is out or loses a point. Continue until one player remains or rotate leaders.
Jump to the step-by-step rules ↓EDITOR'S TABLE NOTES
Is Simon Says 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 3+-player range and 5–15 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 Simon Says, pay particular attention to the stated setup and ending condition below.
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Learn Simon Says 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 Simon Says before the first round
Walk through the setup, try a sample turn, and get a quick answer when play stalls.
Choose one player to be Simon.
Have everyone face Simon with room to move.
Playable example turn
Step 1 of 4
Simon gives action commands.
What should we do now?
Start with this action: Simon gives action commands.
Scoring and winning
Continue until one player remains or rotate leaders.
Common dispute to prevent
Copying others before hearing the phrase. Agree on any edition-specific variation before the first turn.
The objective
Your goal is to follow commands only when they begin with the words Simon says. 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
Enough safe space for the group. 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 one player to be Simon.
- Have everyone face Simon with room to move.
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
- Simon gives action commands.
- Players obey only commands beginning with Simon says.
- Anyone who follows a command without the phrase is out or loses a point.
- Continue until one player remains or rotate leaders.
Example first round
A useful first-round walkthrough for Simon Says begins this way: Simon gives action commands. Next, players obey only commands beginning with Simon says. Continue in normal turn order until the ending condition applies: continue until one player remains or rotate leaders.
How scoring and winning work
- The result is determined by the guide's stated objective: Follow commands only when they begin with the words Simon says.
- The final step explains when play stops: Continue until one player remains or rotate leaders.
- For the most common rules question, use this clarification consistently: Not necessarily; use points for a friendlier version.
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; 5–15 min is the normal planning range for Simon Says.
- When playing with beginners, demonstrate this strategy before scoring begins: Listen to the entire command.
Beginner strategies
- Listen to the entire command.
- Simon can change speed to create playful mistakes.
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
- Copying others before hearing the phrase.
- Using unsafe or embarrassing commands.
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
Must eliminated players sit out?
Not necessarily; use points for a friendlier version.
Can young children lead?
Yes.
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