A question is read aloud to all players. One player, chosen randomly and without anyone knowing who, will be given the correct answer. All the other players think of possible answers. Next, every player presents their answer aloud, as convincingly as possible. Each player then votes for the answer they think is correct.
Because we're playing over IRC, there are some changes from the original gameplay.
To score more points than your opponents. You score points in two ways:
- Present an answer that's so convincing you get other players to vote for you.
- See through all the bluffs and vote for the correct answer.
- MalarkyBot will put the players into a random order. This will be used to determine the order of hosting and answering.
- MalarkyBot will randomly pick a question and post it to the channel. If any player does not understand the question, this is the time to speak up! At this point, all players should begin to think of possible bluff answers to the question.
- MalarkyBot will PM the correct answer to a player at random. The other players will receive instructions to think up a believable bluff answer.
- The bluffers are getting ready to present bluff answers to the question. Meanwhile, the player with the real answer is thinking about how best to put the answer into their own words.
- After an agreed amount of time, the Host will offer their answer. Play continues in order as all the bluffs and the correct answer are presented.
- If you have the real answer, familiarize yourself with it and put it into your own words—don't just copypaste it.
- A new Host directs each round, with play passing in order.
If someone uses the answer you thought of, before your turn comes, you must present another answer. It's a good idea to have a BACK UP BLUFF ready (or maybe two!) A player is allowed to vary their answer slightly from one already presented. By altering one clear fact, for example, a player differentiates their answer. If anyone feels that a player has essentially repeated the answer of another player, they may challenge the second player, and all players vote whether the second answer is too similar. (In the case of an even vote, the Host breaks the tie.) If the second answerer is judged “guilty” they are disqualified from participating in that question.
It is possible that when you have been PMed the real answer, another player may offer it before it is your turn. When it is your turn, you must now present a bluff (since repeat answers are not allowed). Presenting a bluff answer because you were forced to is called a “Malarky.” Although being forced into a Malarky involves quick thinking, you will be rewarded if you are successful. More about this later.
- If you feel that an answer is too similar to an answer that has already been presented, you may challenge it by using the in-channel
duplicatecommand with the nick of the later answerer (e.g.!malarky duplicate CopyCat). Other players (except for the round's Host) can then useduplicatein the same way if they agree, ororiginalif they think the answer was different enough. - Once there are a majority of votes, MalarkyBot will announce whether the answer was judged a duplicate. If the votes are tied, the Host will be asked to break the tie.
- After all the answers are presented, players vote secretly for the player they feel presented the real answer. Players vote by PMing MalarkyBot with the nick of the player they are voting for (e.g.
/msg MalarkyBot Dreamsweet). When all players have voted, MalarkyBot will reveal the votes. - Players cannot vote for themselves. You must use
$self(i.e./msg MalarkyBot $self) if you presented the real answer. Occasionally, when it's your turn to give a bluff answer, you may feel certain that you know the correct answer to the question and that no one has yet presented it. If so, you can present your answer and then later vote with$self. Note: An incorrect answer while voting with$selfwill cost you a two-point penalty. (see Scoring) - If you had the real answer, but were forced into a Malarky, you vote for the player who presented the real answer before your turn came. MalarkyBot will acknowledge you when the votes are revealed.
- +1 A player earns one point for every vote their answer receives (whether it is the real answer or a bluff answer).
- +1 A player earns one point for voting for the real answer.
- +2 A player who was forced into a Malarky receives two points for each vote they receive.
- -2 A player who voted with
$selfwill have two points deducted if their answer is wrong.
Note: No points are earned by voting with $self. A player must hope to collect votes by presenting their answer in a convincing manner.
The winner is the player with the highest point total after an agreed-upon number of rounds. Toward the end of the game, a player might not receive any votes because they are close to winning. This allows others to catch up, assuring a climactic finish almost every game.
If there is a tie, one more question will be asked, but only these two players will compete. MalarkyBot will randomly pick one of the players. This player gets to choose whether they wish to “give” or “receive” the question. MalarkyBot will post a random question. It will then PM the answer to the giver, who has one minute to decide to present either the real answer or a bluff. The receiver must decide whether or not the giver's answer is correct. The receiver will either win or lose the game depending on their decision.
- Make your answer stand out from the others by including weird “facts,” names and places.
When holding a bluff card, don't stare off into space thinking of an answer. You should pretend to be reading and putting the answer into your own words.- If you have the real answer, it's a good idea to have a bluff ready in case you are forced into a Malarky.