Play Wink Assassin for Low Prep Party Game Fun
When you’re hunting for a fun, low-effort game to liven up any gathering, the Wink Assassin game is like finding a $20 bill in your jacket pocket—it just makes everything better.
It’s perfect for family game night, fun hangouts with friends, or even ice-breaking social events.
Because it’s sneaky, suspenseful, and downright hilarious.
Here’s everything you need to know to bring this killer game to life. (See what I did there?)
What is the Wink Murder Game?
Overview of Wink Murder
Wink Murder is one of those games that’s been around forever—well, at least it feels like it.
It’s simple, it’s fun, and most importantly, it doesn’t involve app downloads, fancy equipment, or a PhD to play.
One person secretly becomes the “Wink Assassin” and attempts to take out other players one sly wink at a time.
The remaining players have only one job: figure out who the assassin is. Think of it as Clue meets stare-down championships.
Why Wink Murder is a Family (Or Friend) Favorite
Here’s the thing—this game checks all the boxes.
It’s easy to learn, doesn’t require a shopping list of supplies, and gets absolutely everyone playing along.
It doesn’t matter if you have a dramatic aunt with a flair for “dying” or a shy cousin who’s just trying to avoid eye contact, there’s a role for everyone.
Plus, it’s a great way to peel people off their screens.
Honestly, in our house, it’s the one of the games that gets EVERYONE – even my teenage niece RyRy and my husband involved without either of them rolling their eyes first. A win-win!
Warning: This Game May Cause Extreme Bonding & Gut Busting Laughs
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How to Play Wink Assassin
Prep and Materials Needed
Preparing for this game takes about as much effort as microwaving popcorn. Here’s what you need:
- A group of at least five people (though larger groups are even more fun).
- Slips of paper (or anything to assign roles). Write “Murderer” on one and leave the others blank. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, use a deck of cards—assigning a specific card as the “killer.”
- A seating arrangement where everyone can see everyone else. “Circle up!” is your mantra here.
That’s it. No board, no dice, no tech.
Just straight-up human interaction—wild, right?
Step-by-Step Instructions
Alright, here’s the step-by-step breakdown:
Assign Roles: First, let everyone pick a slip of paper or card. Whoever gets the “Murderer” card? Congratulations, you’re the Wink Assassin. Everybody else? You’re potential victims.
Explain the Goal: The goal for the murderer is to “kill” as many people as possible through sneaky winks. The job for everyone else? Identify the murderer before becoming their next victim. Players can guess the murderer at any time, but they’d better get it right—guess wrong, and they’re out too!
- Start the Game: The murderer begins winking discreetly at their chosen victims. If someone gets winked at, their mission is simple: perform the most dramatic death scene you can muster. Bonus points for fake gasps and slow collapses to the floor.
Call Out: At any point, if someone thinks they’ve spotted the assassin, they can call them out. If they’re correct, game over—justice served. Guess wrong, and let’s just say you’d better start practicing your own dramatic demise.
If you’re the assassin, avoid “killing” people who are sitting next to you right away-that’s too obvious. Spread out your victims to make detection harder.
Rules and Variations
- No Back-to-Back Winks: To keep things fair, the murderer can’t wink at people back-to-back or do anything too obvious.
- Accusing Rules: To accuse someone, say, “I think [Name] is the murderer.” If you’re wrong, prepare to exit stage left.
- Double Trouble: Add an accomplice for larger groups. This little twist often makes the game even more chaotic because now everyone’s second-guessing everybody else.
Ever had a game night where the only thing organized was the chaos? Same.
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Creative Adaptations of Wink Assassin
One of the perks of Wink Assassin is that you can tweak it however you want to fit the occasion.
Here’s how you can put a personalized spin on it.
Themed Variations (Holiday and Event Specifics)
Hosting a Halloween party? Change the wink to a spooky hand gesture—like slowly pointing a finger across a room.
For Christmas, make the “kill” action a festive nose tap or candy cane twirl. These little details make the game even more memorable and fun!
Plus, who doesn’t love a little themed creativity?
Playing with Larger Groups or Modifications for Young Children
For larger groups, add roles like “Detective” or “Medic.” T
he Detective gets one guess per game, and the Medic can “revive” a player (but only once).
If you’re playing with younger kids, try switching out the wink for something simpler—like a fun hand wave or another simple gesture —to make it easier for them to follow.
If You Like Wink Murder, You’ll Probably Also Like
Not quite in the mood for Wink Murder?
No worries—I’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of other engaging games that can bring a party to life just like this one:
| Game Name | Quick Description |
|---|---|
| Mafia | A social deduction game where players try to identify the Mafia among them. Intrigue and bluffing galore! |
| Werewolf | Similar to Mafia but with a spooky twist! Who’s secretly the werewolf under the full moon? |
| Charades | An acting game that never gets old. Act it out, guess the word, and laugh till you cry. |
Tips for a Memorable Wink Assassin Game Experience
Want to make your Wink Murder game truly unforgettable? A few tricks can take this from fun to legendary.
Setting the Right Atmosphere
Dim the lights just a bit—enough for suspense but not so dark that nobody can see the winks!
Add some spooky music in the background if it fits the tone.
The ambiance really cranks up the drama, making the whole experience more immersive.
Encouraging Participation and Inclusivity
Got shy players?
Pair them with someone more outgoing for support or make them a “Special Investigator” who can skip guessing and focus solely on analyzing reactions.
Everybody should feel like their participation matters—and, honestly, that’s the secret sauce for any great game.
Let’s Wrap Up
The Wink Murder game is an all-time classic for a reason. It’s easy to set up, costs you next-to-nothing, and guarantees laughter, suspense, and unforgettable moments.
Trust me (from someone who’s survived many a Wink Murder spree), this game is a must-try.
And if you need more fun ideas to round out your game night, head over to 101 Epic Party Game Ideas to Energize Any Gathering for even more brilliant suggestions.