Alias is one of the most popular party word games in the world, and Bardak brings it to your phone with a modern twist. If you've never played, don't worry — this complete guide covers everything: the rules, setup, scoring, a sample round, house rules and pro tips. You'll master it in a single round.
What is Alias?
Alias is a team-based word-guessing game. Players split into teams, and on each turn one person describes words shown on the screen while their teammates race to guess them — before the timer runs out. The one rule that makes it so much fun: you can't say the word itself, or any part of it.
It's simple to learn, impossible to put down, and works for everything from a quiet night with your partner to a loud house party.
What you need to play
Almost nothing:
- People — at least 4 for the best experience (two teams of two), though you can play with 2.
- The Bardak app — it provides the words, the timer and automatic scoring, so there's nothing to write down. You can play with pen and paper, but an app removes all the setup.
- A few minutes — a full match usually takes 10–20 minutes.
How to set up a game
Getting started in Bardak takes less than a minute:
1. Gather your friends and create 2 to 4 teams. 2. Pick a timer length — we recommend 60 seconds per round to start. 3. Choose a word pack and set the score needed to win. 4. Pass the phone to the first describer and hit start.
That's it. No pen, no paper, no setup — and once you've downloaded your word packs, the whole game works fully offline.
The rules: what you can and can't say
The heart of Alias is one simple rule with a few important details.
You may:
- Use synonyms, opposites, categories, examples and associations.
- Use gestures, mime and sound effects.
- Say "sounds like…" or "rhymes with…" as clues.
You may not:
- Say the word itself, or any part of it (for "sunflower," you can't say "sun" or "flower").
- Say the word in another language.
- Spell the word or give its first letter.
Break the rule and the word is skipped with no point (and plenty of laughter). Keeping to it is what forces the creative, funny descriptions Alias is famous for.
A sample round
Say the word is "library." A good describer might say:
"A quiet building… full of books you can borrow… you need a card… shhh!"
The team shouts "Library!" — point scored, next word. A describer who blurts "a place with books that starts with L" would be breaking the rules (giving the first letter). The magic is describing around the word.
The two ways to play
Bardak gives you two distinct Alias game modes:
Classic mode
The timeless team game. The describer sees a full card of words and explains them one by one — clear the entire card to draw the next one. It's fast, energetic, and perfect for building a big score.
One Word mode
A trickier, more tense twist: you see one word at a time and describe it with a single clue. You can skip a word if you're truly stuck — but each skip costs you a point, so choose wisely. This mode turns even quiet friends into legends.
How scoring works
Scoring in Alias is refreshingly simple:
- Each correctly guessed word earns one point.
- In One Word mode, skipping a word costs a point, so don't skip lightly.
- The first team to reach the target score wins the match.
Keep the energy high, keep teams roughly even, and the lead will swing back and forth all night.
How to make fair teams
Balanced teams make the best games:
- Split by skill, not just by who's sitting where. Put a fast talker on each team.
- Mix ages. Pairing a kid with an adult keeps everyone in the game.
- Odd number of players? One team plays with an extra person and simply rotates the describer.
Choosing the timer and score
- Timer: 60 seconds is the sweet spot. Drop to 30 for a faster, higher-pressure game; go to 90 for relaxed play with younger kids.
- Score to win: 30–50 points makes a satisfying 10–20 minute match. Lower it for a quick game, raise it for a marathon.
House rules & fun variations
Once you know the basics, try these popular twists:
- Theme rounds — pick a single word pack (movies, food, animals) for a whole match.
- No-gestures mode — words only, no miming, for a tougher challenge.
- Kids mode — use an easy word pack and a longer timer.
- Penalty rule — the whole team does a silly forfeit for every rule broken.
Common beginner mistakes
- Chasing the perfect clue. The first thing that comes to mind is usually the fastest to guess — say it.
- Going silent. Every second of silence is wasted. Keep feeding clues.
- Over-explaining. Short, punchy clues beat long definitions.
- Skipping too early (One Word mode). Only skip a word you truly can't crack.
Pro tips to win more rounds
- Use gestures and sound effects — they're allowed, and they're often hilarious.
- Start with the easy words to bank quick points before the clock pressures you.
- Describe the category first ("it's an animal…") to point your team in the right direction fast.
- Agree on shortcuts with your team — "sounds like" and "rhymes with" save precious seconds.
Pro tip: the best describers paint a picture, not a definition. Don't explain what a word means — explain how it feels.
Frequently asked questions
How many people do you need to play Alias? At least 2, but it's best with 4 or more so you have proper teams. Bardak supports 2 to 4 teams.
Is Alias free to play? Yes — Bardak is free, with no ads and no in-app purchases.
Can kids play Alias? Absolutely. Use an easy word pack and a longer timer, and pair kids with adults.
Do you need internet? Only once, to download the word packs. After that the game works fully offline.
How long does a game take? Usually 10–20 minutes, depending on the score you play to.
Ready to play?
Now that you know how to play Alias, the only thing left is to grab some friends. Download Bardak free and start your first game in under a minute — it's 100% free, with no ads and no in-app purchases.
Want to get better? Read our Alias tips and strategy and the full Alias game guide. For more game-night ideas, see the best party games to play with friends.