How to play 20 Questions

The objective

Your goal is simple: identify a secret person, place, or thing using no more than twenty yes-or-no questions. This guide uses the most common beginner-friendly rules. Families and groups may agree on variations before starting.

What you need

Nothing beyond a way to count questions.

How to set up

1. Choose a category and one thinker.
2. The thinker silently selects an answer everyone could reasonably know.

How to play: step by step

1. Players ask questions answerable with yes, no, or sometimes.
2. Count every question.
3. Use broad questions before specific guesses.
4. Guess correctly within twenty questions to win; then choose a new thinker.

Beginner strategies

• Divide possibilities by asking about major traits.
• Build each question from earlier answers.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Asking vague questions.
• Changing the secret answer midway.

Frequently asked questions