How To Play: Spies!

Overview

So you think you’ve got what it takes to outsmart your buddies at Spies!? Well, grab your notepad (or tin foil hat, if you’re like my pal Dave) because this guide will show you How To Play spies! with an easy rules outline and the sneakiest strategies I’ve learned. Win more games, lose fewer friends—at least, that’s the plan!

What’s in the box

• 1 Game board
• 16 Spy cards
• 24 Agent tokens
• 40 Mission cards
• 6 Reference cards
• 1 Rulebook
• 6 Player screens
• 1 First player marker

How To Play Spies!: Rules Summary

Setup

1. Shuffle and deal one Role card to each player. Don’t let anyone peek—except you, James Bond wannabe!
2. Lay the Mission cards in the center, face down. Put the tokens nearby, not in your cereal bowl like last game.
3. Give each player some tokens. How many? Check the rulebook or pick a number that feels right—I’m not your mom!
4. Pick a starting player. Youngest? Loudest? Last one to say ‘not it’?

Gameplay

1. On your turn, draw a Mission card and read it out loud. Try not to giggle if the mission is “steal the cheese” (true mission from my game night, I swear).
2. Players discuss and accuse each other of being spies. Use your best fake British accent, if you want extra style points.
3. Everyone votes on who they think is the spy. Survive the vote by convincing your friends you’re one of the good guys. (Or, at least, less suspicious than the guy who’s sweating.)
4. Reveal the accused player’s Role card. If they are a spy, cheer! If not, awkward apologies all around.
5. Pass the turn clockwise, unless you’re playing with rebels who like to go counter-clockwise.

Winning

1. Civilians win if all spies are found before the last Mission card is revealed. Trust me, teamwork makes the dream work (unless your friends are terrible at lying).
2. Spies win if they survive to the end or if there are equal numbers of spies and civilians left. Yes, I’ve dramatically lost both ways.

Special Rules & Conditions

1. If a player is wrongly accused three times, they may show their Role card. That’s the game’s way of saying, “Stop picking on Bob.”
2. If someone reveals their identity on purpose, they’re out. No spoilers!
3. If you run out of tokens, you can still accuse using interpretive dance. (Okay, that’s a house rule… but hey, try it!)

Now you know the basics for How To Play Spies! Grab some friends, sharpen your fake mustaches, and get ready for wild accusations and even wilder stories.

Best Spies! Strategies

Master the Art of Bluffing in Spies!

Bluffing is my secret weapon in Spies!. When you fool the group, victory feels sweet. Here’s how to sharpen your skills:

Confident Misdirection

1. Pretend to be confused at first, then answer with certainty.
2. Ask obvious questions so others drop their guard.

Fake Claims

1. Quickly accuse someone to turn the spotlight away from you.
2. Back up your claims with small details to stay believable.

Adapt Your Story

1. Change your answers if you sense suspicion, but don’t overdo it.
2. Use humor to distract players when things get tense.

Follow these tips and you’ll soon become the spy no one suspects. If you want to learn How To Play spies! like a real trickster, start bluffing early and often!

Mastering the Art of Timing Mission Reveals in Spies!

Read the Room

1. Wait until suspicion shifts away from you before revealing your mission. If everyone looks at Dave, do not jump in early!

2. Let others talk. The longer you wait, the more info you get.

Surprise the Table

1. Reveal just when someone accuses you. It shocks people and often saves your bacon.

Chain Reactions

1. Reveal right after a rival. The chaos after their reveal is a great smokescreen.

When learning How To Play spies!, timing reveals always gave me an edge. Patience really pays off!

Become a Mind Reader: Outsmart Your Foes in Spies!

Noticing the Nervous Nelly

1. Watch for fidgeting, sudden silences, or nervous laughter. These can reveal a guilty spy in the crowd faster than you can say, “caught ya!”

Tracking Table Talk

1. Listen for players dodging questions or over-explaining their moves. They often hope you won’t notice their shifty schemes.

Spotting Patterns

1. Pay attention as some folks repeat the same moves or excuses. After all, spies forget to mix it up the longer the game goes.

Sharpening Your Instincts: How To Play spies! Like a Pro

1. Always trust your gut, but verify with clues! Bluffs are tricky, yet tells are everywhere if you look sharp.

Ready to Outsmart Your Friends?

So that’s all my best sneaky Spies! wisdom. Learning How To Play spies! well is half skill, half wild guessing, and a whole lot of fun. No game is ever the same—unless you play with my buddy Dave, who can’t lie to save his life. Use your best bluffs, watch every twitch, and trust your gut. And if you lose, just claim you were actually on a secret, secret mission. Happy spying!

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