Scandalous Secrets

Scandalous Secrets was created as part of the Single Card Challenge.

Game Design by Heather Newton boardgamebistro.online

Supplies:

1 3x3 in. paper per player & pencils

To Play

On their paper, each player writes a 4-letter code word, their name, and a fictional “scandalous secret” about themselves, then folds the paper word-side in until it’s small enough to hide inside their fist.

SPOILER ALERT: The winner in a 3+ player game will reveal all secrets at the end, so have some fun concocting your secret!

2 players pair up for a face-off

The initiating player starts as Player 1.

With hands behind their back, Player 1 hides their folded paper in the palm of one hand, makes their hands into fists, then holds both fists out knuckle-side up.

Player 2 taps 1 fist for Player 1 to open.

If the fist holds the paper, Player 2 says a number 1-4, and Player 1 replies with their code word’s letter in that spot.

If the fist is empty, Player 1 says a number 1-4, and Player 2 replies with their code word’s letter in that spot.

Swap roles, then continue this way until a player calls a time-out and announces they’d like to guess the other’s code word.

On a correct guess, they win the face-off.

On the 1st incorrect guess, the guesser reveals a new letter and its location (1-4) from their own code word. On the 2nd incorrect guess, the guesser’s opponent wins the face-off.

The winning player takes their opponent’s paper and all papers the opponent collected in earlier face-offs. Their opponent is out.

For a 3+ player game, winners continue facing off against a player with a secret until only one player has kept their secret. This player is the winner and reads all their collected secrets to the group.

Special Thanks

• Tim Devine at Dice Up Games -- initial ideation & rules editing
• Will Newton -- playtesting & game development
• Jonathan Chaffer at thechaffers.us -- rules editing
• Jeff Johnston at Pair of Jacks Games -- rules editing
• Rob Bergstrom -- rules editing