What game is most like Balderdash?

Wise and Otherwise (1997) is the closest match to Balderdash, sharing bluffing, party game, word game. It rates 6.7/10 on BoardGameGeek.

What should I play if I like Balderdash?

Wise and Otherwise, Secret Hitler, The Chameleon are the top-ranked alternatives to Balderdash in the MeeplePick database, matched on light complexity as well as mechanics. All 18 are ranked on this page with the shared mechanics shown for each.

Is Wise and Otherwise harder than Balderdash?

Compared with Balderdash, Wise and Otherwise is same complexity and ~15 min shorter (1.5 vs 1.4 complexity on BoardGameGeek's 1–5 scale).

Balderdash / Similar games

18 games like Balderdash

The best games like Balderdash are Wise and Otherwise, Secret Hitler and The Chameleon — the closest of 18 ranked alternatives, scored by shared mechanics and category. Wise and Otherwise shares bluffing, party game, word game with Balderdash.

Every alternative below links to its own Balderdash-style fact page, drawn from MeeplePick’s bluffing / party game shelf.

Ranked by shared category (3 pts) and mechanics (2 pts), bonus within 0.7 of Balderdash’s 1.4 weight, then BoardGameGeek’s Bayesian rating — one entry per series, 18 shown.

As an Amazon Associate, MeeplePick earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

1. Wise and Otherwise (1997)
2–6 players · 45 min · ★ 6.7 · Medium-light
Shares with Balderdash: Bluffing, Party Game, Word Game, Paper-and-Pencil, Voting · 2 of Balderdash’s 2 mechanics (100%)
vs Balderdash: overlaps at 2–6 players · ~15 min shorter · same complexity
View Wise and Otherwise on Amazon →
2. Secret Hitler (2016)
5–10 players · 45 min · ★ 7.6 · Medium-light
Shares with Balderdash: Bluffing, Party Game, Voting · 1 of Balderdash’s 2 mechanics (50%)
vs Balderdash: overlaps at 5–6 players · scales to 10 · ~15 min shorter · +0.3 heavier
View Secret Hitler on Amazon →
3. The Chameleon (2017)
3–8 players · 15 min · ★ 6.7 · Light
Shares with Balderdash: Bluffing, Party Game, Word Game, Voting · 1 of Balderdash’s 2 mechanics (50%)
vs Balderdash: overlaps at 3–6 players · scales to 8 · ~45 min shorter · 0.4 lighter
View The Chameleon on Amazon →
4. Nobody Is Perfect (1992)
3–10 players · 45 min · ★ 6.9 · Medium-light
Shares with Balderdash: Bluffing, Party Game, Word Game, Voting · 1 of Balderdash’s 2 mechanics (50%)
vs Balderdash: overlaps at 3–6 players · scales to 10 · ~15 min shorter · +0.2 heavier
5. One Night Ultimate Werewolf (2014)
3–10 players · 10 min · ★ 7.1 · Light
Shares with Balderdash: Bluffing, Party Game, Voting · 1 of Balderdash’s 2 mechanics (50%)
vs Balderdash: overlaps at 3–6 players · scales to 10 · ~50 min shorter · same complexity
6. Wits & Wagers Deluxe Edition (2005)
3–7 players · 25 min · ★ 6.9 · Light
Shares with Balderdash: Bluffing, Party Game, Paper-and-Pencil · 1 of Balderdash’s 2 mechanics (50%)
vs Balderdash: overlaps at 3–6 players · scales to 7 · ~35 min shorter · 0.2 lighter
7. Werewords (2017)
4–10 players · 10 min · ★ 7.2 · Light
Shares with Balderdash: Party Game, Word Game, Voting · 1 of Balderdash’s 2 mechanics (50%)
vs Balderdash: overlaps at 4–6 players · scales to 10 · ~50 min shorter · 0.2 lighter
8. Unanimo (1990)
3–8 players · 30 min · ★ 6.9 · Light
Shares with Balderdash: Bluffing, Party Game, Word Game, Paper-and-Pencil · 1 of Balderdash’s 2 mechanics (50%)
vs Balderdash: overlaps at 3–6 players · scales to 8 · ~30 min shorter · 0.2 lighter
9. Detective Club (2018)
4–8 players · 45 min · ★ 7.4 · Light
Shares with Balderdash: Bluffing, Party Game, Voting · 1 of Balderdash’s 2 mechanics (50%)
vs Balderdash: overlaps at 4–6 players · scales to 8 · ~15 min shorter · 0.2 lighter
10. Two Rooms and a Boom (2013)
6–30 players · 7–20 min · ★ 7.0 · Light
Shares with Balderdash: Bluffing, Party Game, Voting · 1 of Balderdash’s 2 mechanics (50%)
vs Balderdash: both play at 6 · scales to 30 · ~46 min shorter · same complexity
11. Insider (2016)
4–8 players · 15 min · ★ 7.1 · Light
Shares with Balderdash: Bluffing, Party Game, Voting · 1 of Balderdash’s 2 mechanics (50%)
vs Balderdash: overlaps at 4–6 players · scales to 8 · ~45 min shorter · 0.3 lighter
12. Obscurio (2019)
2–8 players · 40 min · ★ 7.3 · Medium-light
Shares with Balderdash: Bluffing, Party Game, Voting · 1 of Balderdash’s 2 mechanics (50%)
vs Balderdash: overlaps at 2–6 players · scales to 8 · ~20 min shorter · +0.5 heavier
13. Werewords Deluxe Edition (2018)
2–20 players · 10 min · ★ 7.6 · Light
Shares with Balderdash: Party Game, Word Game, Voting · 1 of Balderdash’s 2 mechanics (50%)
vs Balderdash: overlaps at 2–6 players · scales to 20 · ~50 min shorter · same complexity
14. Werewolves of Miller's Hollow (2001)
8–18 players · 30 min · ★ 6.7 · Light
Shares with Balderdash: Bluffing, Party Game, Voting · 1 of Balderdash’s 2 mechanics (50%)
vs Balderdash: no player-count overlap (8–18 vs 2–6) · scales to 18 · ~30 min shorter · same complexity
15. Spyfall 2 (2016)
3–12 players · 15 min · ★ 7.0 · Light
Shares with Balderdash: Bluffing, Party Game, Voting · 1 of Balderdash’s 2 mechanics (50%)
vs Balderdash: overlaps at 3–6 players · scales to 12 · ~45 min shorter · same complexity
16. Cranium Party Playoff (2008)
4–99 players · 30 min · ★ 6.0 · Light
Shares with Balderdash: Bluffing, Party Game, Paper-and-Pencil, Voting · 2 of Balderdash’s 2 mechanics (100%)
vs Balderdash: overlaps at 4–6 players · scales to 99 · ~30 min shorter · 0.4 lighter
17. Salem 1692 (2015)
4–12 players · 25–35 min · ★ 7.0 · Medium-light
Shares with Balderdash: Bluffing, Party Game, Voting · 1 of Balderdash’s 2 mechanics (50%)
vs Balderdash: overlaps at 4–6 players · scales to 12 · ~30 min shorter · +0.6 heavier
18. You Must Be an Idiot! (2005)
3–6 players · 45 min · ★ 5.7 · Light
Shares with Balderdash: Bluffing, Party Game, Paper-and-Pencil, Voting · 2 of Balderdash’s 2 mechanics (100%)
vs Balderdash: overlaps at 3–6 players · ~15 min shorter · same complexity

Check Wise and Otherwise on Amazon →

As an Amazon Associate, MeeplePick earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Frequently asked

What game is most like Balderdash?: Wise and Otherwise (1997) is the closest match to Balderdash, sharing bluffing, party game, word game. It rates 6.7/10 on BoardGameGeek.
What should I play if I like Balderdash?: Wise and Otherwise, Secret Hitler, The Chameleon are the top-ranked alternatives to Balderdash in the MeeplePick database, matched on light complexity as well as mechanics. All 18 are ranked on this page with the shared mechanics shown for each.
Is Wise and Otherwise harder than Balderdash?: Compared with Balderdash, Wise and Otherwise is same complexity and ~15 min shorter (1.5 vs 1.4 complexity on BoardGameGeek's 1–5 scale).

Narrow it down

best 2-player board games · best 3-player board games · best 4-player board games · best 5-player board games · best 6-player board games · paper-and-pencil games · voting games

Looking for the original? See the full Balderdash fact page — players, play time, age and complexity.