Posers
Posers Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Aim
Posers is a party game about striking poses related to a shared theme. Normies know the theme, Posers don't. Normies are trying to spot the Posers. Posers are trying to blend in.
Don't peek at the fronts of the cards! Knowing the themes in advance can spoil the fun for everyone.
Components
- 96 Cards (12 sets of 8 cards - 3 Posers and 5 Normies - divided by different backs)
- 10-sided Die
- Rulebook
Set Up
Arrange all the cards into sets of 8 with the same backs. Then, stack the sets on top of each other to form the play deck (A). The order of the sets doesn't matter.
Whoever most recently posed for a photo is the starting player. Give them the die (B).
How to Play
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Deal one card face-down to each player (C) from the same set and return the rest of the set to the box. Do not show it to anyone else. Normies have a list of themes on their card; Posers don't.
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Then, roll the die (B) to determine a theme and read the number out loud.
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All players then secretly check their cards to see their role (D). Normies check the current topic (E).
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In turn order, going clockwise, perform your Pose (F) that represents the theme.
- Poses must be silent - no sounds allowed.
- You cannot copy another player's pose.
- A short motion (about 2 seconds) is allowed.
- You must hold your pose until everyone is posing at the same time.
Normies, you should carefully observe the other players and try to identify who is posing off-topic (Posers). You should strike a pose that subtly resembles the theme so that other Normies will still understand but Posers won't get easy hints. (See the "How to strike the perfect pose" section.)
Posers, you should try to figure out the theme or have a back-up pose ready especially if you are the starting player. Keep it simple - cat, house, journey, etc. can work well. See the "How to play as a Poser" section.
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Once the last player performs their pose, everyone drops their poses and counts together: "Three, two, one..." Then, all players act simultaneously: Normies shout Poser and point at suspected Poser(s); Posers raise their hands. (G)
- You may point at one person only - you cannot change your vote.
- If you're a Normie and correctly guess a Poser, you score 1 point - keep your card. (H)
- If you're a Poser and no one is pointing at you, you score 2 points - keep your card. (I)
No Poser Rule: In a 4 or 5 player game, it's possible that no one drew a Poser card. If you suspect this to be the case, point at the box. If you're correct, score 1 point - keep your card as usual.
Ending
The game ends after 12 rounds (when the play deck runs out), and the player with the most points wins. If there is a tie, the player who collected more Poser cards wins.
How to Play as a Normie
You know the theme, and your goal is to identify the players who don't know it (the Posers).
How to do it? Carefully observe the other players' poses and try to figure out who is "on-topic" (Normies) and who is "off-topic" (Posers).
When you strike your pose:
- Make sure your actions subtly resemble the theme so that other Normies can recognize you as one of them (and not as a Poser).
- Don't be overly descriptive or too obvious. This would give Posers easy hints, helping them blend in; exactly what you don't want.
How to Strike the Perfect Pose
Your task is to express the theme through a pose. The best approach? Don't be super obvious - it's better to create a clever association. If others need a moment to connect the dots, it makes it harder for Posers to blend in. Don't be too ambiguous though, or people will start to suspect you!
Example: If the Theme is "Lion," you could:
- Lions are called the king of animals -> Pretend to place a crown on your head.
- Lions have majestic manes -> Fluff your hair as if showing off a mane.
- Your local football club is "The Lions" -> Pose like a football player.
- And so on - just think outside the box!
How to Play as a Poser
You don't know the theme. Your goal is to blend in. You can either figure out the theme or fool the others into thinking you know it (even if you don't).
How to blend in? Try to figure out the theme by watching the poses of the players taking their turns before you - then craft your own pose based on what you've picked up.
If you're unable to figure out the theme (or you're the starting player), have an alternate pose ready and go with it! Keep it simple - things like cat, house, or journey work well. Poses rely on associations, so there's a good chance your "backup" pose will overlap with the real theme, letting you slip by unnoticed.
Confidence is key! Don't hesitate - always perform as if your pose was based on the real theme. (You'd be surprised how often this works. And how fun it is!)
Get the Most Out of Posers
Play standing up! Sitting will give you fewer options for creative poses - stand up and bring your gestures to life!
Think creatively with your pose. Don't be too obvious - use clever associations! If your pose makes others think for a second, you're doing it right.
Keep the game flowing. Each pose should flow smoothly, one after another, without long pauses otherwise you'll look suspicious! If you need time to plan your pose, that's fine. Try to do it before the posing begins.
Talk about the round! After guessing, take a moment to share what the theme was. Posers can find out what they were supposed to be doing, and everyone can enjoy the funniest misinterpretations.
Quick Guide - Round Steps
- Deal cards.
- Roll the die (determine the theme).
- Check your role.
- Strike a pose.
- 3-2-1-Poser!
- Keep or discard your card (scoring).
- Pass the die & start a new round.