Seeking

Once the hider has reached their hiding spot (or beforehand if the game is being time shifted), it is time for the seekers to try to find the hider.

They do this mostly by asking questions from a set list of about 80 questions. These are discussed in the Questions section.

But for every question asked, the hider can receive a reward in the form of one or more cards, and this is discussed in the Cards section.

Game Time

Game time, also known as seeking time, starts from the moment the seekers start to look for the hider. It’s counted until the moment the hider is found.

In large games we set a maximum time for the round to last, normally 9 hours. The round ends at that point whether the hider has been found or not.

Additionally, through the use of time bonuses, the hider can expand their time to the Total Time, which is the one used for scoring. See Time Bonuses for more details.

Lunch Time

The hider and seekers must have a 30 minute lunch break some time during the game, normally between the hours of 11:30 and 14:00. The period must be taken as a whole, uninterrupted, and a team must take it at the same time. The hider and seekers can take their lunch break at different times. The teams can start lunch going by declaring it in the group chat.

During the lunch break, the following applies:

• The seekers cannot ask game questions of the hider
• The hider cannot play cards against the seekers

The seekers may board or alight from transit during the lunch break. As thermometers are not counted as asked until the end of the thermometer, the seekers may start a thermometer during the lunch break. Players are strongly suggested not to strategise during the lunch break, and actually take the break.

If one or both of the teams has not taken their lunch break by 13:30, then it will automatically be declared as lunch time.

The lunch break is counted as part of game time.

Unscheduled Breaks

Either team can unilaterally declare a break by stating it in the group chat. In general it should be at least 30 minutes, but the break can be extended by mutual agreement. No game questions can be asked, nor cards played during this period. The break is taken simultaneously by all players.

These break times do not count towards the game time. By mutual agreement players can choose to extend the round to use up that extra time, but never surpassing the maximum game time.