Buzz
Make your next get-together or slumber party unforgettable with a round of Paranoia.
Paranoia is an exciting and hilarious party game (which can also be turned into a drinking game) that’s ideal for teens, adults, and anyone who enjoys a bit of harmless suspicion. Players take turns whispering questions to one another, and the person receiving the question must respond by naming another player—without revealing the actual question! Read on to learn the full rules for this game of mystery and mayhem!
What are the Rules for Playing Paranoia?
To play, one person whispers a “who” question to the player sitting next to them: for example, “Who’s most likely to be an influencer?” or “Who would you want to marry?” The player must then choose another player and announce their name aloud to the group. The person named can either take a drink or flip a coin to uncover the hidden question.
Step-by-Step Guide
Paranoia Game Instructions
Get three or more players and form a circle. Paranoia is the ultimate party game for big groups, but it works just fine with a minimum of three players. Once you’ve gathered your group of paranoid participants, have them arrange themselves in a circle—whether sitting on the floor, around a table, or even clustered at the corner of a bar.
The first player asks a ‘Who’ question to the next player. On each round, one person will ask a juicy ‘who’ question to the person sitting next to them. Choose any player to start, and have them whisper the ‘who’ question into the ear of the player on their right, making sure no one else overhears.
- Questions can be as innocent or spicy as your group prefers. For example, you might hear, “Who’s most likely to get reincarnated as a golden retriever?” or “Who here do you think would be the best in bed?”
The second player announces their answer out loud. After hearing the question, the player being asked must choose another person in the group who fits the description in the question. They’ll then call that person’s name out loud for everyone to hear—but only the whisperer and the person answering know what the question was.
The named person can flip a coin or take a shot to find out the question. This is where the paranoia kicks in—the person who’s been named will be dying to know which question they were the answer to. Did they get tagged as the messiest person or the one with the prettiest eyes? Here’s how you can reveal the question, depending on your version of the game:
- If you’re playing Paranoia as a drinking game: The named player can choose whether they want to know the question. If they do, they must take a shot or drink for five seconds. If not, they can skip and let the game continue.
- If you’re not playing Paranoia as a drinking game: Leave it to chance. Flip a coin and have the named player guess heads or tails—if they’re right, they learn the question. If they’re wrong, they don’t! Alternatively, you can use a small object in your hand for them to guess left or right, or even use a virtual coin flipper on your phone.
Keep the game going around the circle. After each round, the person who was just asked a question now gets to ask one of their own. They turn to the person on their right, whisper a question into their ear, and that person responds by announcing their answer to the group. The game continues like this until players are either bored, tipsy, or simply ready to move on to something else!
What Do You Need to Play Paranoia?
All you really need are players (and these rules) to enjoy Paranoia. That said, there are a few other things that can spice up the game or transform it into a drinking challenge (for those of legal drinking age). Here's what you’ll need for a great game of Paranoia:
- At least 3 players (though the more, the merrier—there’s no upper limit to the number of players!)
- A coin, a small object, or some alcohol (if you’re turning Paranoia into a drinking game).
- A solid list of Paranoia questions to keep the game flowing.
Sample Paranoia Questions
One of the most exciting parts of Paranoia is dreaming up all the outrageous, insightful, and hilarious questions to ask your friends. But if you’re running low on ideas or want to keep things interesting well into the night, here are some great Paranoia questions to get you started:
- Who would make the best President of the United States?
- Who knows the most celebrity gossip?
- Who’s probably peed in the ocean?
- Who would unintentionally offend an alien race on first contact?
- Who’s most likely to have kids first?
- Who would choose love over their career?
- Who’s most likely to date a friend’s sibling?
- Who’s the worst driver?
- Who would be the first to die in a zombie apocalypse?
- Who’s most likely to die on the toilet?
- Who’s most likely to date a celebrity?
- Who’s most likely to sleep with their ex?
- Who has the dirtiest search history?
- Who’s the most artistic?
- Who would stop to help a cat stuck in a tree?
Other Games Similar to Paranoia
Discover more exciting games for parties, sleepovers, and large groups. While Paranoia is guaranteed to bring hours of entertainment, there are many other fun games you can add to your party lineup! Below are some games that share the spirit of Paranoia, so you’ll definitely find one that fits your event—whether you’re hosting a teen slumber party or a family-friendly game night:
