Undercover Word FAQ
Answers about players, modes, devices, voting and returning to a room.
Is it free, and do I need an account?
You can create or join a game in your browser without an account or app download. Enter a display name; browser storage remembers your player token and recent room.
Players and devices
The server supports 2–12 players per room. We recommend 4–10 for a fuller discussion, and at least 5 for Deep Cover so an incorrect first vote can leave more than three players. Each player needs a separate browser session, normally on their own phone, tablet or computer, and an internet connection. Speak in person or through a separate voice call; the game does not provide voice chat.
Roles and word settings
With the recommended one-Mole setting, most players are Operatives. The hidden players are Moles; the settings UI also calls them Undercover players. Other versions use Civilian for Operative and Undercover for Mole. Classic allows 1–3 Moles, capped below the player count. Deep Cover always uses one. In No Word, a Mole sees “No word” and therefore knows their role. In Similar Word, a Mole receives a related word with no role label, so a word alone does not tell you your role. All Operatives receive the same word.
Classic and Deep Cover
Classic ends after one vote: catching any Mole wins for the Operatives, even with multiple Moles; eliminating an Operative wins for the Moles. The next round restores connected players and chooses new roles. Deep Cover keeps one Mole across rounds. Catch that Mole to win; otherwise the Mole wins when three or fewer active players remain. If more than three remain, the host starts the next round with surviving players, the same Mole and a newly selected word pair.
Can I refresh or join late?
Return with the same browser profile and stored player token to recover your existing seat. Clearing storage or using another device does not recover that identity. New players cannot join during reveal, clues or voting. At results they join as spectators, becoming active on the next Classic round or a new Deep Cover game, not during a continuing Deep Cover game.
What happens on a tie?
One of the tied candidates is randomly eliminated. No revote occurs. There is no secret-word guess action.
How long does it take?
Allow roughly 5–10 minutes as a planning estimate for a casual round, plus joining and explanations. It is not a measured average or timer guarantee. Deep Cover may span multiple votes.
Is voice chat included?
No. Give clues aloud in the same room or on a separate call. The Submit Clue button records completion of the turn, not your speech.