Rules
How to play Stunkelstein
How do you play Stunkelstein?
To play Stunkelstein, everyone joins one game on their own phone and is shown the same secret word — except one player, the Stunk, who doesn't know it. Players take turns giving clues about the word, then discuss and vote for who they think the Stunk is. The group wins by voting out the Stunk; the Stunk wins by surviving the vote or guessing the word.
It teaches in two minutes. Here's the whole game, step by step.
What you need
- 4 or more players in the same room (best with 5–10).
- A phone each — every player joins the same game on their own device.
- The Stunkelstein app on the host's phone. Get it here.
Step by step
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Start a game
One player (the host) creates a game and gets a 6-character code. Everyone else joins by typing the code, scanning the QR, or tapping a shared invite link.
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Reveal your secret role
Each phone privately reveals a role. Everyone sees the same secret word — except the Stunk, who is told they're the Stunk and never learns the word. Tap to reveal, then confirm you're ready.
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Give clues & talk
Going around the room, each player says a short clue about the word without giving it away. The Stunk has to fake a convincing clue from context alone. Then the room talks, probes, and accuses.
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Vote
A 90-second timer starts. Everyone votes for who they think the Stunk is, privately on their phone. If the timer runs out, a vote is submitted automatically so the round never stalls.
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Reveal & score
The Stunk is revealed. If the room voted them out, the group wins the round. If the Stunk survived — or correctly guesses the secret word — the Stunk wins.
How does scoring work?
The group scores 1 point for correctly voting out the Stunk. The Stunk scores 1 point for surviving the vote, plus a bonus point for correctly guessing the secret word. Play as many rounds as you like and rotate who gets to be the Stunk — highest total wins the night.
Tips to catch the Stunk
- Ask for specifics. The Stunk gives clues that could fit anything. Pin them down.
- Watch who waits. A player who hangs back to hear others first is fishing for context.
- Don't over-explain. If your clue is too obvious, you hand the word to the Stunk.
Tips if you are the Stunk
- Match the tone and length of everyone else's clues — don't be vague and short.
- Let two or three people go first, then echo the theme you've pieced together.
- Accuse confidently. Nothing says "not the Stunk" like leading the hunt.
Got it? Start a round.
Grab the app, share the code, and you're playing in under a minute.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a round take?
A single round runs in a few minutes — a short clue and discussion phase, then a 90-second vote. Most groups play many rounds back to back.
Can you play Stunkelstein with a big group?
Yes. It scales from 4 players up to a packed room. With bigger groups the bluffing gets harder and the reveals get louder.
Does everyone need the app?
The host runs the game on the app and shares a code or QR. Each player joins the same game on their own phone, so everyone sees their private role.
What happens if the Stunk guesses the word?
Even if the Stunk is voted out, they can steal a bonus point by correctly guessing the secret word — so the room should be careful how much they give away.
Player Forum
What players say about Stunkelstein — feedback from our launch playtest
Perfect for house parties. Everyone wanted another round.
Brilliant concept. One of the best mobile party games I've played.
Every update adds something worthwhile. Very impressed.
The new drinking feature is amazing. It adds just the right amount of chaos and makes every session unforgettable.
Absolutely love this game. Every round feels different and the new drinking feature makes parties even more entertaining. We couldn't stop laughing.
Such a clever concept. Easy to learn, fast to play, and the drinking feature adds another level of fun for adult game nights.