Hush: Team Word Guessing Game
Describe the word without the six forbidden ones. The other team buzzes slips.
Party · 4 to 16 players · about 15 minutes · free to host, nothing to download, TV optional
About the game
Get your team to say "Dog" without saying bark, tail, leash, puppy, bone or pet. That is Hush: a describing game for two teams, Blue and Red, where every card comes with six forbidden words and the other team is listening for them. It takes 4 to 16 players, and a game with the default settings lasts about 15 minutes.
It is best with 6 to 10, so each team has a few guessers shouting at once. A TV is handy for the clock and the scores, but you can play with "Just this screen" on every device. On a video call that works the same way: everyone opens the room on their own device and talks over the call.
How to play
- Split into two teams. The clue-giver describes the word without saying it or any of the six forbidden words.
- Teammates guess out loud. The other team sees the forbidden words and can buzz a slip. The clue-giver marks correct answers or skips on their screen.
- A correct answer earns one point. A buzz costs one point; skipping also costs one unless the host turns that penalty off. Teams take turns until the set number of turns is complete. Highest team score wins.
Open a room for Hush. No app, no accounts, free to host.
Tips to play well
- Press Start only when you are ready. The clock does not run until the clue-giver taps it, so take a breath and let your team settle first.
- Skips cost a point by default, the same as a buzz. Spend a few seconds on a hard word before giving up on it, because a skip is not free unless the host has turned the penalty off.
- Go around the forbidden words, not through them. For "Cat" you cannot say meow, whiskers or purr, so try "the pet that ignores you and sleeps on your keyboard".
- When it is the other team's turn, you are the judge. Your screen shows their card and its forbidden words, and every slip you buzz takes a point off their score.
- Rhymes and "sounds like" clues are fair game unless your group agrees otherwise. Settle the house rules before the first turn so nobody argues over a buzz.
Host settings
- Seconds per turn: 30 to 120 seconds in steps of 10. The default is 60.
- Turns per team: 1 to 8. The default is 3, or 4 with 10 or more players, so everyone gives clues at least once. The clue-giver rotates within each team.
- Skips cost a point: On by default. Turn it off and skipping becomes free; buzzes always cost a point.
Questions people ask
How is this different from Taboo?
It is our own take on the forbidden words style of game that Taboo is known for. All 500 cards are written by us, and the other team buzzes from their own screens instead of holding a buzzer.
Can we add our own words?
No. Every card comes from our deck of 500 English words, each with six forbidden words.
What happens if someone leaves mid game?
Play carries on as long as each team keeps at least two players: one to give clues and one to guess. If the clue-giver leaves, the next teammate takes the card.
Can computer players join?
The host can add bots to fill a team. They take their turns and buzz now and then, but they do not listen to what you say, so use them to balance numbers, not to judge.
Similar games
- Act It Out: Charades where the other team picks your word. Only your screen shows it. 4 to 16 players, about 15 minutes.
- Face Up: Hold your screen to your forehead. Everyone describes, you guess out loud. 3 to 12 players, about 10 minutes.
- Spy Grid: Two handlers, one 5×5 grid, one-word clues. Find your words before the trap. 4 to 16 players, about 15 minutes.
Guides
- Office Party Games: 32 Ideas for Large Groups, Prizes and Remote Teams, With Plans for 20, 50 and 100 People: Office party games everyone can join: 32 ideas for in person and remote teams, prizes and Christmas, with plans for 20, 50 and 100 people.
- How to Play Taboo: Rules, Scoring, Buzzer Etiquette and 64 Free Taboo Cards: The official Taboo rules in plain words, how scoring and the buzzer work, house rules, and 64 original Taboo cards by difficulty to print or read out.
- Party Games: 62 of the Best Party Games for Any Group, Room and Mood (With a Chooser): 62 of the best party games, sorted by group size, energy, setting and props, each with players, time, what you need and how to play.
Taboo is a trademark of its owner. Rondovo is not affiliated with it.