Paranoia

Paranoia: The Brutally Honest Drinking Game That Destroys Trust and Friendships

If you want a party game that’s fast, simple, and designed to stir the pot harder than a tabloid rumour, Paranoia is your weapon of choice. This brutal game of whispered questions and public humiliation is perfect for adult parties, pre-drinks, or whenever you feel like sacrificing dignity in the name of a good time.

It’s equal parts funny, savage, and anxiety-inducing. Which is exactly what makes it great.

What You Need

3 or more players (works best with 5–10)
A coin or any object you can flip
Drinks
A thick skin

How to Play Paranoia

Sit in a circle
Everyone sits in a circle or around a table. Make sure you can hear each other whisper, because you’ll be doing a lot of it.
Pick a direction
Decide if the game is going clockwise or counter-clockwise. Stick with it for the round.
Ask a whispered question
Player A turns to Player B and whispers a question into their ear. The question can be anything, but it must be about someone in the group.

Examples:

“Who’s most likely to cheat on their partner?”
“Who’s got the weirdest search history?”
“Who would you least want to be stranded with on a desert island?”
“Who here do you think fakes it in bed?”

Answer out loud — just a name
Player B must answer by saying someone’s name from the group. They do not say what the question was. Just the name. Loud and clear.

Cue panic.

Flip the coin
Immediately after the name is said, flip a coin.

If it lands heads: The original question is revealed to the group.
If it lands tails: The question stays a mystery. Forever.

This is where the paranoia kicks in. Because hearing your name said after a whispered question and not knowing what it was is the emotional equivalent of being subtweeted in real life.

Next round
Keep going in the chosen direction. The player who just answered becomes the next question-asker. The game flows around the circle from there.

Drinking Rules

You can make it a drinking game by adding these simple modifiers:

If someone refuses to answer or lies: they drink.
If the question is revealed and the named player reacts badly (laughing, swearing, defending themselves): they drink.
If the question isn’t revealed but the tension is unbearable: everyone drinks.
If the coin lands heads three times in a row: the asker has to take a shot. Transparency comes at a cost.

House Rules and Variations

Spicy Paranoia
Only ask NSFW, flirty, or brutally personal questions. Think “Who here would be the best in bed?” or “Who has definitely sent nudes in the last week?”

Sober Paranoia
Play without alcohol if you’re just here for the gossip and emotional damage.

Reverse Paranoia
Player A whispers the name, says the question out loud, and the group guesses who they picked. If no one gets it right, Player A drinks.

Tips for Playing Paranoia Like a Pro

Keep it savage, but don’t cross the line into genuinely hurtful or triggering stuff.
Don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself when your name gets dropped. It will happen.
Use questions that stir drama without being outright mean.
If you can’t handle the heat, skip your turn or drink instead.

Final Thoughts

Paranoia is one of the best adult party games because it requires no props, no prep, and no boundaries. It’s messy, revealing, and dangerously addictive. Whether you’re sipping cocktails or slamming cans, this game will bring out secrets, opinions, and maybe a few regrets.

Ready to find out what your friends really think of you? Just whisper and flip.