Ideas
12 Games to Play in a Group Chat (Rules Included)
Twelve games with copy-pasteable rules, sorted by effort and by whether they still work when nobody is online at the same time.
Disclosure: We make Lore, the meme app for your group chat, and it is one of the twelve. It is a browser game, so it does not run inside your chat app.
How we picked these games
Every game here needs no setup, works with three or more people and fits a round inside a day. Rules match the common versions, and groups tweak them, so agree your house rules when you start. The effort labels are our editorial judgment.
Word games: Ghost, One-Word Story, Categories
Ghost
Rules. Take turns adding one letter to a word fragment. Each fragment must start a real word. Whoever completes a word (agree a minimum length, often 3 or 4 letters) loses the round. Many groups track losses with the letters G-H-O-S-T and drop out at five. You may challenge the last player to name a word starting with the fragment: if they can, you lose the round, and if they cannot, they do.
In the chat. Post the fragment in capitals and tag the next player. Allow an hour per turn.
One-Word Story
Rules. Agree an opening line. Players add exactly one word per message, in a fixed order, to build a story together. Play it straight: nonsense words wreck the story. Stop when it reaches a natural ending.
In the chat. No posting twice in a row. The last player copies the finished story into a fresh message.
Categories
Rules. Pick a category, such as fruit. Going around the group, each player names one item that fits and has not been said. You are out if you repeat, give a wrong answer or take too long. The last player standing wins.
In the chat. Set a reply limit of a few minutes and keep a list of used answers in a pinned message.
Guessing games: Emoji Translation, 20 Questions, Two Truths and a Lie
Emoji Translation
Rules. One player sends a movie, song or phrase using only emojis. Everyone else guesses. The first correct guess scores a point and sends the next puzzle.
In the chat. Add a hint such as “movie”, and reveal the answer after an hour if nobody has it.
20 Questions
Rules. The thinker secretly picks a person, place or thing and names the category. Everyone else asks yes or no questions, 20 at most, and the thinker must answer truthfully. A correct guess wins and becomes the next thinker. If nobody guesses within 20, the thinker wins.
In the chat. The thinker numbers each answer, so the count is clear.
Two Truths and a Lie
Rules. A player posts three statements about themselves: two true, one false. Everyone guesses which one is the lie, then the player reveals it. Score a point for each right guess, or just play for fun.
In the chat. Number the statements, guess by number, and reveal at a set time.
Opinion games: Would You Rather, Hot-Takes Tier List, Never Have I Ever
Would You Rather
Rules. Someone posts two options. Everyone picks A or B and gives a one-line reason. Take turns posting the next question.
In the chat. Reply with A or B. Pick questions with no right answer.
Hot-Takes Tier List
Rules. This one is our own version. The host names a topic, such as pizza toppings, and lists eight items. Everyone ranks each item S, A, B, C or D by direct message, and the host posts the tier each item got most often.
In the chat. Argue about the results in the chat. Rank the item, not a person.
Never Have I Ever (clean version)
Rules. Players take turns saying “Never have I ever…” about something mild. Anyone who has done it replies “me”. Nobody has to explain, nobody drinks, and anyone can pass.
In the chat. Post one statement a day and keep it light.
Counting game: 3-6-9
3-6-9
Rules. Players take turns counting up from 1. Any number containing a 3, 6 or 9 gets a clap instead of being said. Say the number, or clap wrongly, and you are out and the count restarts at 1. Groups differ on whether 33 is one clap or two, so decide before you start.
In the chat. Post the next number, or 👏 for each 3, 6 or 9 digit. It moves fast, so play it while several people are online.
Picture games: caption contest and the group-meme vote
Caption contest
Rules. Everyone captions the same image or situation, and the group votes for the funniest.
In the chat. Full rules, scoring and prompts: run a caption contest in your group chat.
Lore, the group-meme vote
Rules. We make Lore. It is a browser game you reach with a link sent into the chat, so it is not played inside the chat app. Someone starts a room and sends the invite link to the group. Friends open it, type a name and join, with no email or password. You make memes from 10 built-in formats, swipe right to laugh, left to pass or up to crown (3 crowns a day), and a daily battle is crowned at 9pm on each phone. There are no live rounds. The iPhone and Android apps are coming soon. One more limit, checked October 23, 2026: in the current browser version a room may stay on the phone that made it, so check that a friend can see your meme before you plan a game around it. More in meme games to play with friends.
In the chat. Play free in your browser
Keeping a chat game alive
- One game per day. Two at once splits the chat.
- Pin the rules. Use the template below.
- Rotate the game master. The winner hosts next.
- Time-box it. “Until 9pm” beats “whenever”.
- Make opting out easy. Muting a game should never feel rude.
- Stop while it is still fun. Leave them wanting round two.
Game: [name]. Host: [name]. Deadline: [time]. How to answer: [reply format].
FAQ
What games can be played while chatting?
Word games such as Ghost and One-Word Story, guessing games such as Emoji Translation and 20 Questions, opinion games such as Would You Rather, and picture games such as a caption contest all work in a text group chat.
What is a 20 questions chat game?
One person thinks of a person, place or thing. Everyone else asks yes or no questions, and the group has up to 20 questions to guess it.
What is a good game for a big group chat?
Games where everyone can answer at once and nobody waits for a turn, such as Would You Rather, a tier-list vote or a caption contest with a deadline. This is an editorial suggestion.
How do you start a game in a group chat?
Pin one message with the game name, the host, the rules and a deadline, then post the first prompt. Keep each round short enough to finish within a day.
Add a meme game to the chat.
Free to play in your browser. iPhone and Android apps coming soon.
Play free in your browser