How To Play: Faces

Overview

Faces turns a table of players into a guessing game packed with odd clues, bold guesses, and the odd cry of “I knew it!” I played it with friends, and our confident reads often fell apart in seconds. This guide contains an easy outline of the game rules, plus the best strategies for winning. You’ll learn how to read clues, time your guesses, and avoid looking too smug too soon.

What’s in the box

• Face cards: 54
• Clue cards: 30
• Player boards: 6
• Player markers: 30
• Reference cards: 6
• Rulebook: 1

How To Play Faces: Rules Summary

In Faces, players study faces, ask smart questions, and try to identify the hidden face before anyone else. First, set up the cards. Then, take turns asking questions and making guesses. Finally, score the round and start again. Keep your poker face ready, because one bad guess can make you look like a confused potato.

Setup: Get Every Face Ready

1. Shuffle the face cards and place them where every player can see them.
2. Give each player the parts, cards, or markers needed for the game.
3. Choose one face as the secret face for the round. Keep it hidden from the other players.
4. Place the remaining faces in the shared playing area.
5. Choose a starting player. For example, the player who made the best silly face can go first.

Gameplay: Ask, Watch, and Guess

1. Start your turn by asking a question about the secret face. Use clues that other players can answer with “yes” or “no.”
2. Ask about clear features, such as hair, glasses, facial hair, or headwear.
3. After everyone answers, remove or mark faces that do not match the clue.
4. Next, take time to study the remaining faces. Also, watch how other players react, because a pause or grin may reveal more than they planned.
5. When you feel ready, make a guess. State the full face clearly so nobody mistakes your choice.
6. If you do not want to guess yet, pass and keep the remaining options in play.
7. Afterward, pass the turn to the next player and continue clockwise.

Winning: Make the Right Call

1. Reveal the secret face when a player makes a final guess or when the round reaches its end.
2. If your guess matches the secret face, you win the round.
3. If your guess misses, follow the edition’s penalty rule. Usually, you lose the round or sit out until the next one.
4. Record the winner’s point if your group uses scoring.
5. Then, choose a new secret face and play another round.
6. Continue until one player reaches the agreed score or wins the agreed number of rounds.

Special Rules & Conditions: Mind the Tricky Bits

1. Ask questions that describe one clear feature. Avoid vague questions that could fit half the table.
2. Do not touch, move, or secretly inspect another player’s hidden card.
3. Answer questions honestly. You can use your best serious voice, but you cannot bend the truth.
4. If a clue does not clearly match a face, keep that face in play until the group agrees on the answer.
5. Players must make one final guess at a time. Nobody should shout over another player, even when excitement turns the table into a small circus.
6. If players tie on points, play one final round. The first player to identify the secret face wins the tie-breaker.
7. For a shorter game, play one round per player and give victory to the player with the most wins.

Best Faces Strategies

Read the Table Before It Reads You

Watch Early Choices

When I played Faces with friends, I tracked each player’s first choice.

1. First, note who studies faces slowly.
2. Then, watch who grabs easy matches.
3. These habits reveal confidence, nerves, or snack hunger.

Test Their Pattern

Next, offer a safe guess and study the reaction.

1. If they smile, pause, or talk, record it.
2. However, never trust one signal alone.
3. Compare several turns instead. Dan fooled me twice by blinking at strong cards.

Time Your Guess

Finally, strike when opponents feel safe.

1. Consequently, wait until they look elsewhere.
2. Then pounce before board changes.

Guess Like a Fox, Not a Chicken

In Faces, timing matters more than rushing. After several plays with friends, I learned that a clever pause can beat a clever guess. Use these steps:

Watch the Question Flow

1. First, notice when players ask broad questions.
2. Then, wait until clues narrow the field.

Save Your Strong Guess

1. Next, avoid guessing after one lucky clue.
2. Instead, collect two or three matching signs.

Use the Table Mood

1. Also, guess when your target draws little attention.
2. However, act before another player spots the answer.

Trust a Clear Pattern

1. Finally, commit when clues point one way.
2. Otherwise, pass and protect your score.

Make Every Face Betray Someone

In Faces, visible clues can help you or your rivals. First, sort each clue by value: color, shape, position, and rarity. Next, guard rare clues by placing them where opponents cannot use them easily. Meanwhile, hide patterns until needed, because sharp players pounce. Also, review the board after every turn. Finally, keep one flexible clue unused. That reserve lets you react when rivals block your plan and can turn a messy position into a win.

Rank Rare Clues

1. Mark rare traits.
2. Delay common details.

Hide Patterns

1. Break obvious patterns.
2. Shift attention often.

Recheck Changes

1. Scan new clues.
2. Drop weak options.

Save Flexibility

1. Save one clue.
2. React wisely after blocks.

Turn Every Face Into a Clever Guess

Faces rewards players who watch closely, ask smart questions, and avoid jumping at the first clue. In our games, the winner rarely guessed fastest. They noticed small details, kept their options open, and waited for the right moment to strike. That patience matters, especially when everyone starts making wild claims about eyebrows. Use the visible clues, read your friends, and trust your plan without becoming too stubborn. With a bit of practice, Faces turns simple guessing into a tense, funny battle of wits. Just remember: confidence helps, but it does not make a bad guess less wrong.

Want to know what we think of Faces? Read our detailed review of Faces here