Skip to content

Gameplay

Game Flow Overview

1. Joining and Starting

Players gather in the arena’s waiting lobby
Games start automatically when enough players join
All players are teleported to seats around the lounge table
Each player receives their starting hand and the tension begins

2. The Round Structure

Each round follows this pattern:

Table Card Reveal: A target card is shown to all players
Turn-Based Play: Players take turns claiming to play the table card
Accusation Phase: Any player can call “Liar!” on the previous player
Consequence Phase: Wrong accusations or lies lead to the axe
Reset: Survivors get new cards and a new table card is revealed

3. Victory Condition

The last player alive wins the game.

Understanding the Deck

The game uses a carefully balanced deck that creates strategic depth:

This distribution means that having the table card is statistically likely, but not guaranteed - creating perfect conditions for bluffing.

Core Gameplay Mechanics

Your Turn Actions

When it’s your turn, you have two primary options:

Option 1: Play Cards

Select Cards: Left-click 1-3 cards in your inventory to select them
Drop Cards: Press Q (drop key) to play your selected cards
Claim Honesty: You’re claiming these cards match the table card

Option 2: Call Out a Liar

Use the “Call Liar!” item in your inventory
Accuse the previous player of lying about their cards
This triggers the consequence phase immediately

The Psychology of Deception

When to Lie

No Matching Cards: If you don’t have the table card, you must bluff
Strategic Deception: Sometimes lie even when you have the right cards to throw off opponents
Bold Bluffs: Playing multiple cards makes your claim seem more confident

When to Call “Liar!”

Suspicious Behavior: Player hesitated or seemed uncertain
Statistical Odds: Too many of one card type have been played
Reading Players: Trust your instincts about player behavior
Desperation: When you’re low on hearts and need to take risks

The Axe - Consequence System

When someone is caught lying or makes a false accusation, they face the axe:

Survival Strategy

Early Game: Preserve your hearts by playing safely
Mid Game: Take calculated risks to eliminate opponents
Late Game: Every decision becomes critical as the field narrows

Advanced Gameplay Elements

Joker Cards Strategy

Jokers are the most powerful cards in the deck:

Wild Card Power: Can represent any other card type
Perfect Bluffs: Always have a “legitimate” play available
Strategic Holding: Save jokers for crucial moments
Deception Tool: Play jokers when you actually have the real card

Reading the Table

Card Counting: Track what cards have been played
Pattern Recognition: Notice if too many of one type appear
Player Behavior: Watch for tells and nervous behavior
Risk Assessment: Calculate odds based on remaining deck

Multiplayer Dynamics

Target Selection: Choose your accusations wisely
Pressure Application: Use accusations to force difficult decisions
Endgame Politics: Final players often face the hardest choices

Turn Flow Details

Your Turn Begins

You receive a title notification: “Your Turn!”
Other players see: “Waiting for [Your Name] to play their cards…”
You have 60 seconds to make your decision

Making Your Play

Examine Your Hand: Review your available cards
Consider the Table Card: Do you have it? Should you bluff?
Select Your Strategy: Honest play or deceptive bluff?
Execute: Click cards to select, then press Q to drop

After Your Play

Your cards are revealed to you only (face-down to others)
Other players see: “[Your Name] smirks and slides X cards onto the table…”
Turn passes to the next player
Anyone can now call you a liar

Winning Strategies

Start Conservatively: Play honestly when you have the right cards
Observe Others: Learn players’ tells and patterns
Calculated Risks: Only call “Liar!” when reasonably confident
Heart Management: Preserve your hearts early in the game
Reverse Psychology: Lie when you have the right cards
Aggression Control: Use accusations to apply pressure
Mathematical Play: Count cards and calculate probabilities
Endgame Mastery: Force opponents into impossible situations

Game End Conditions

The game concludes when:

Single Survivor: Only one player has hearts remaining
No Players Left: Players leave making it less than the minimum amount
Arena/Server Stops: Admin intervention stops the game