Ready Set Bet
Award winner
"Real-time horse-race betting where everyone shouts and grabs spots at once, for up to 9 players."
2–9 players45 minLight
See full details and buying options →Holiday games
Party Games for New Year's Eve
Loud, fast and big-group friendly, to play until midnight
A New Year's Eve party needs games that welcome a crowd, teach in a minute and get loud. These award winners are built for exactly that: betting on races, pitching ridiculous products, bluffing about secret roles and racing the clock. Most handle 8 or more players, and rounds are short enough that people can drift between the game, the snacks and the countdown.
Hosting tips
- Choose games that teach in a minute. Nobody wants a rules lecture at a party.
- Real-time games like Ready Set Bet and Captain Sonar get the energy up early in the night.
- Save a short game like Spyfall or The Gang for the last half hour, so a round never runs past midnight.
- For 10 or more guests, Snake Oil or Blood on the Clocktower keep everyone involved.
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Hot Streak
Exceptional consensus · 3 organizations
"Bet on a chaotic race of goofy mascots who crash, swerve and fall off the track, for up to 8 players."
2–8 players20 minLight
See full details and buying options →/pic5075755.jpg)
Snake Oil
Award winner
"Combine two word cards into a ridiculous product and pitch it to the customer. Great for up to 10 players."
3–10 players30 minLight
See full details and buying options →/pic2453926.jpg)
Spyfall
Award winner
"Everyone knows the location except the spy. Quick rounds of questions, bluffing and laughter."
3–8 players15 minLight
See full details and buying options →/pic7627388.jpg)
The Gang
Award winner
"A cooperative take on Texas Hold'em: rank your hands together without showing your cards."
3–6 players20 minLight
See full details and buying options →/pic7069368.jpg)
Captain Sonar
Highly awarded
"Two submarine crews hunt each other in real time. Noisy, tense and best with a full group of 8."
2–8 players60 minMedium
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Pictures
Award winner
"Recreate a photo using shoelaces, blocks or cubes, and let everyone guess which one it is. Creative and very funny."
3–5 players30 minLight
See full details and buying options →/pic7009391.jpg)
Blood on the Clocktower
Award nominee
"Big-group social deduction for 5 to 20 players. Bluffing and debate that can fill the whole night."
5–20 players90 minMedium
See full details and buying options →More holiday picks
Spooky Board Games for Halloween
Ghosts, zombies, monsters and a demon in the village, all award winners
Best Board Games for Thanksgiving with the Whole Family
Easy to teach, great for big groups, fun from grandkids to grandparents
Cozy Board Games to Play at Christmas
Calm, beautiful games for the days between gifts and New Year's