How To Play: Spies!

Overview

If you’ve ever played Spies! with my group, you know we take lying and finger-pointing to a new level. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the basics—yep, I’ve got an outline of the rules (so you don’t have to argue with your cousin for an hour). Plus, I’ll share the best tips for winning Spies!, learned from way too many late nights and heated debates.

What’s in the box

• 1 Game Board
• 6 Spy Pawns
• 6 Secret Identity Cards
• 30 Mission Cards
• 20 Evidence Tokens
• 1 Rulebook
• 1 Timer
• 12 Action Markers
• 50 Money Chits

How To Play Spies!: Rules Summary

Setup

1. Shuffle the role cards and deal one to each player. Don’t peek! Keep your role a secret.
2. Each player takes a mission token and a voting card. (You’ll need these more than you think.)
3. Place the mission board in the center. Put all remaining tokens and cards within reach.
4. Decide who looks most suspicious. That person starts the first round. (Actual spy or just me when I forget deodorant?)

Gameplay

1. Each round, the leader picks a team for the mission. Everyone tries to look innocent. Especially the spies.
2. Players discuss, throw accusations, and then vote yes/no to approve the mission team.
3. If the team gets enough yes votes, they go on the mission. Otherwise, pick a new leader and start over.
4. The team members secretly play success or fail cards. If even one fail shows up, well, someone’s being sneaky.

Winning

1. Good guys win if three missions succeed and evil laughs echo in defeat.
2. Spies win if three missions fail, or the group fails to form a team five times.
3. Keep track of mission results with tokens on the board. Celebrate or sulk when the game ends.

Special Rules & Conditions

1. If you have a tie during voting, the team is rejected and the next player gets to lead.
2. Some roles may have special abilities—read the card! (Don’t worry, you’ll forget and read it again next round.)
3. If you forget who played what, don’t panic; just blame your shifty friend Tim. It always works for me.

That’s all you need to jump right into Spies! and start plotting with a side of paranoia. For more on how to succeed, check my other How To Play Spies! guides.

Best Spies! Strategies

The Secret Art of Bluffing in Spies!

My friends say my poker face is terrible, but I still have tricks up my sleeve. When playing Spies!, bluffing is not just fun—it’s a game-winner. Below, you’ll find my favorite deception moves. Remember, practice will turn your fibs into victories!

Convincing Lies

1. Give false clues about your role or missions. Make up reasons for your actions.
2. Act confused if it will throw off suspicion. I do this so often, my friends now expect it!

Misdirection Tricks

1. Point out others’ mistakes. Distract your rivals from your real plans.
2. Start casual chatter—talking about last night’s pizza order works well—to break tense moments.

How To Play Spies! Like a Master

1. Keep track of everyone’s claims and slip-ups. Take note—mental or on a napkin—of details.

Perfect Timing: How To Play spies! with Impeccable Mission Moves

Choose Your Moment

1. Always watch the other players’ actions before you make a move. Jumping the gun means you could expose your role early.

2. Wait until suspicion shifts away from you. Nothing says “I’m innocent” like a bored yawn and a late move!

React to the Table

1. If you see a sudden flurry of accusations, pause. Let the chaos settle, then act. It keeps eyes elsewhere and nerves frayed.

Strike When it Hurts

1. Sometimes, delay helps you learn who trusts whom. When you know, act fast and turn allies against each other. It’s a classic How To Play spies! winning play!

Become a Mind Reader: Spotting Spies in Spies!

Watch for Table Talk

People give away more than they admit. Sometimes, it’s all in the chatter. Don’t ignore how your friends talk during Spies! They may try to sound innocent, but little slips can reveal their intentions.

1. Listen for nervous laughs.
2. Notice if someone goes quiet when talk gets serious.
3. Pick up on sudden topic changes when questioned.

Body Language Clues

Players often show their true colors without knowing. I catch my pal Tom scratching his nose every time he’s fibbing!

1. Check for fidgeting hands.
2. Spot darting eyes during accusations.
3. See if anyone avoids eye contact during How To Play spies! rules checks.

Track Voting Patterns

Players who back each other again and again might be sneaky. I always mark down who supports who.

1. Notice if two people always vote alike.
2. Remember players who flip-flop fast.
3. Write down vote history to spot trends.

Wrap-Up: Are You Ready to Become a Master Spy?

Alright, agent, that’s your crash course in Spies! Now you’re ready to bluff your socks off, guess wrong with confidence, and call out your best friend for lying about their mission card (sorry, Steve, but you were way too quiet last round). How To Play Spies! is all about reading people, taking risks, and making everyone at the table suspect their grandma. With every game, you’ll get a bit sneakier, a bit smarter, and—if you’re like me—find out who holds a grudge after losing three times in a row. Happy spying, and trust nobody—not even the rulebook!

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