"Secret Hitler is a social deduction board game that has become a worldwide phenomenon.
Developed in 2016, this addictive game encourages players to rely on flair, communication skills and strategic thinking. Although the rules are not complex, winning requires a lot of skill, observation and teamwork.
If you haven't heard of the game yet, or if you only know the name but haven't had a chance to try it out, this article will give you some really useful information about how the game works, as well as some other interesting facts about Secret Hitler.
"Secret Hitler rules and gameplay
The rules of "Secret Hitler" are based on the confrontation between the two teams - liberals and fascists.
The game is played between 5 and 10 players, with secretly assigned roles. Liberals are in the majority, but do not know who is on their team. Meanwhile, the fascists know each other - one of them is Hitler. But Hitler himself does not know who is on his team either.
At the start of the game, each player receives a secret role and party membership card. The distribution of roles depends on the number of players:
| Number of players | Liberals | Fascists | Hitler |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-6 | 3-4 | 1 | 1 |
| 7-8 | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| 9-10 | 6 | 3 | 1 |
"Secret Hitler" board game it proceeds in rounds. Each round elects a president, who nominates a chancellor. All players vote for or against this government.
If the government is approved, the President takes three policy cards from the deck, discards one and hands two to the Chancellor. The Chancellor chooses one of the two cards and places it on the table.
Which cards the President drew and which cards the Chancellor got his hands on, none of the other players know. You can always ask for this information, but lying is allowed in the game, so you have to be careful who you trust.
"The basics of Secret Hitler strategy
To be successful in Secret Hitler, it is important to understand the basic strategic principles. The goal of liberals is to identify fascists, especially Hitler. Fascists need to hide and cunningly manipulate votes and debates.
Liberal strategy is based on information gathering and logical thinking. They have to observe how players vote, what decisions they make when in government and how they behave during debates. Every fascist law that is passed is an opportunity to measure the loyalty of the members of the government.
Fascist strategy It's a bit more complicated - they have to pretend to be liberals but subtly turn the game in their favour. Hitler has a special role to play - he cannot stand out too much from the rest, because his election as Chancellor after the passage of three fascist laws means a fascist victory.
"Components of the Secret Hitler game and their purpose
"The Secret Hitler game is characterised by its high production quality and thoughtful design. It was developed by Max Temkin, Mike Boxleiter and Tommy Maranges and published by Goat Wolf & Cabbage.
The project was presented Kickstarter platform at the end of 2015 and very quickly received overwhelming support - the goal was reached in just a few hours. The game comes with all the necessary components, which are not only functional but also visually appealing.
The main components of the game:
- 17 political cards (11 fascist, 6 liberal).
- 10 secret role cards.
- 10 party membership cards.
- 10 yes/no voting cards.
- 1 election tracker.
- 3 boards for different numbers of players.
- Game rulebook.
The political cards are the heart of the game, which determines which team comes close to victory. With almost twice as many fascist cards as liberal cards, the chances of drawing a fascist card are much higher.
This whole situation is creating more tension, because the cards that have been drawn do not immediately accuse members of the government of lying or betrayal.
How do I win the Secret Hitler game?
"The rules of Secret Hitler provide several possible ways for one of the teams to win the game.
- Liberals win if they succeed in passing five liberal laws or if they successfully assassinate Hitler.
- Fascists wins when six fascist laws are passed or when Hitler is elected Chancellor after three fascist laws.
The end of the game is often unexpected. The tension usually reaches its peak when four liberal or five fascist laws are already on the table. Then, each election of a government becomes crucial, and players' emotions rise with the intrigue.
The role of the President and special capacities
When certain fascist laws are passed, the President acquires special powers.
Viewing the policy cards
The President can look at the top three policy cards to see what legislation is coming up in the near future. This can provide valuable information, but remember that the President can tell the truth or lie.
Checking player loyalty
The President can pick one player and find out whether he is a liberal or a fascist. But he does not get to know whether that player is Hitler.
Player ejection
It is one of the strongest and most dramatic powers. The President can kill one player, who is immediately out of the game. If Hitler is removed, the liberals win immediately.
Psychological aspects of Secret Hitler
"Secret Hitler is more than a simple card-drawing game - it's a psychological battle where it's important to be able to read people and control your emotions. Players have to strike a balance between aggressiveness and subtlety, between telling the truth and deception.
Trust the game is constantly changing. A player who initially seems trustworthy may later become a prime suspect. The ability to adapt to changing situations and change your strategy is one of the most important elements of a successful game.
Bluffing - an integral part of Secret Hitler. Even liberals sometimes have to lie about the cards they have been dealt in order to defend themselves against unfounded accusations. Fascists have to be even more cunning - too many blatant lies can give them away, but too little effort to manipulate the situation can also lead to suspicion.
Effect of the number of players on the gameplay of Secret Hitler
"The rules of Secret Hitler adapt well to a wide range of players, but each variation creates its own pace, complexity and interaction.
The number of players determines how much information can be gathered, how difficult it is to manipulate others, and what type of strategies prevail during the game.
| Number of players | Game dynamics |
|---|---|
| 5 players | A fast, intense game. Less information, but every action counts. |
| 6-7 players | There are more opportunities for bluffing and manipulation. Fascists can more easily hide among liberals. |
| 8-10 players | The game becomes more chaotic and socially complex. There are many voices, it is harder to follow events, and it becomes difficult to identify Hitler. |
The more players, the more surprises, emotions and strategic uncertainty.
Common mistakes made by beginners
Novice Secret Hitler players often make a few mistakes that can easily reduce their team's chances of winning.
Trusting too quickly
Liberals are often too quick to trust the other players, failing to appreciate that even a trustworthy-looking person can be a fascist.
Excessive aggressiveness on the part of fascists
Fascists often make the mistake of trying to defend their teammates too strongly, or to deflect suspicion from themselves too obviously. Such behaviour often only leads to more suspicion.
Focusing on individual actions
Players often exaggerate a single event, such as the passing of a fascist law, although this does not necessarily mean that the members of the government are fascists - the decision may have been accidental or part of the game's progress.
Different variations of Secret Hitler
While the original Secret Hitler rules are already good enough, some players like to spice things up with a few rule changes.
- Stricter speaking rules - some versions of the game restrict discussion, have silent phases or only allow talking at certain times.
- Additional rolesAn "anarchist", for example, is a player who has a goal and only wins on terms that are favourable to him.
"Secret Hitler game and community building
"The Secret Hitler game has led to the creation of active communities around the world. Players share strategies, organise meetings and even create their own variants of the game.
The game has become a great way to meet new people and have fun with your friends. Its social nature encourages socialising and interaction, often leading to lively discussions about who thought what and why they did it.
Secret Hitler FAQ
Yes, Secret Hitler is a real board game, created in 2016. It was created by people like the famous game designer Max Temkin. The game has quickly become popular all over the world and has both a physical and a print & play version.
The game is open to 5 to 10 players. The different number of players determines the division of roles.
There are three main roles: liberals, fascists and Hitler. However, in some variations, additional roles can be added, such as "anarchist".
Liberals win by passing 5 liberal laws or killing Hitler. Fascists win by passing 6 fascist laws or by making Hitler Chancellor after passing 3 fascist laws.
The game can be ordered online, bought from the physical game store or found as a free download on the official website.
Secret Hitler is considered by many players to be a very addictive game. It excels in psychological tension, strategy and social aspects. It is an excellent choice for those who like bluffing, team roles and intense play among friends.
