In the hot seat game, one player sits in the middle and everyone else fires quick questions at them. The questions above are split into three rounds: the first works for any age, the second for friends, the third for adults.
How to play
You need at least four players: one in the seat and three or more asking. A chair placed where everyone can see it makes the seat feel official.
- Pick the first player. A birthday guest or a volunteer is a good start.
- The group asks questions one at a time for two minutes, or five questions, whichever comes first. Someone keeps time.
- The player answers quickly and honestly, or says “pass”. Passing is free: no reason, no penalty, no teasing.
- When time is up, the player in the seat picks who sits there next.
Answers should be short. The fun is in the speed, so save long stories for after the round.
Choosing the round
Agree on the round before the first player sits down. With children or at a family gathering, stay in “For any age”. With friends who know each other well, add the second group. The adult group touches on work, dating and money; use it when everyone in the room is a grown-up and wants it.
To hand over the seat, the player leaving it asks the next player their first question.
Variations
- Birthday hot seat: everyone asks the birthday person one question in turn, around the table.
- Classroom or team version: the group writes questions on cards beforehand and the player draws three.
- Quick-fire: ten seconds per answer, and the timer is the only judge.
For guessing about each other rather than answering, try most likely to. For a slower one-to-one version, play 21 questions.