How to Play Undercover Word
Rules for this browser version, from setup through the voting result. A worked round shows how clues can support different interpretations.
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.
Reveal, then give one spoken clue
Join by room code or QR link. The host chooses settings and starts. Tap to reveal your word privately. The host screen advances after a ten-second countdown or using Proceed to Clues Now. Follow the displayed randomized turn order. Give one word aloud without saying your assigned word, then press Submit Clue. This button marks your turn complete; it does not record speech or check the clue. The host can skip another player’s turn. Short phrases or extra clue rounds are offline house rules, not built-in modes.
Discuss and vote
After the clue turns, discuss possible interpretations before submitting your vote. Choose another active player or No one; you cannot vote for yourself. No one votes do not compete against candidates: even one vote for a player can eliminate that player if all others choose No one. If everyone chooses No one, nobody is eliminated; Moles win Classic, while Deep Cover continues above three active players. The interface shows how many votes have arrived, not a live tally by candidate. Results show the tally. The host can tally manually or let the host screen tally once everyone has voted. A tie randomly eliminates one of the tied candidates; there is no runoff. Eliminated players cannot give clues or vote in continuing Deep Cover rounds.
No word-guess action
Inferring other players’ words can help you choose clues. There is no button to guess the secret word for an extra victory, and no built-in tournament scoring. See the hosting guide for recovery and another-round controls.
Illustrative example: one Classic round
These names, clues and votes are invented to explain the mechanics. Choose Classic, one Mole and Similar Word. Alex, Bailey, Casey and Drew receive Coffee; Ellis receives Tea. Nobody sees a role label.
| Player | Word (shown here for teaching) | Clue |
|---|---|---|
| Alex | Coffee | Morning |
| Bailey | Coffee | Roasted |
| Casey | Coffee | Mug |
| Drew | Coffee | Espresso |
| Ellis | Tea | Leaves |
Morning and Mug fit both drinks. Roasted and Espresso point more strongly to Coffee; Espresso may give away too much. Leaves suggests Tea, but one unusual association is evidence to discuss, not proof of a role.
Alex, Bailey and Casey vote for Ellis; Drew votes for Bailey; Ellis votes for Drew. Ellis receives three votes and is eliminated: Operatives win. If three players instead voted for Bailey, an Operative would be eliminated and the Mole would win Classic.
Alternative in Deep Cover: with these five players, eliminating Bailey leaves four active players, so play continues with Ellis as the same Mole and a newly selected pair. If the next vote eliminates another Operative, only three remain and the Mole wins. A tie is resolved randomly among the tied players.
