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Hokm Rules: How to Play Iran's National Card Game

A complete beginner's guide to Hokm: 4 players, 2 teams, the Hakem, the trump suit, the 13-trick round, and the strategy that separates beginners from regulars.

SpyRoom

How to Play Spyfall: Complete Rules Guide for the Hidden-Spy Party Game

3-8 players, one secret spy, 8-minute timer, the location is the secret. Step-by-step guide with example questions, accusation rules, and strategy for both sides.

Shelem

Shelem Card Game Rules: The Iranian Bidding Cousin of Hokm

4 players, bidding from 100, the 4-card talon, the 165-point system. Complete English guide to the Iranian card game that combines Hokm with auction-style bidding.

Mafia

Mafia Game Rules: Complete Guide for 5 to 15 Players

Day discussion, night kills, secret roles, public voting. The full role list, the optional narrator (the "God"), and the win conditions for groups of 5 to 15.

Pantomime

Charades Rules: How to Play the Classic Party Game (Solo and Team Mode)

No talking, no props, just gestures. Setup for solo and team modes, the standard charades signals, difficulty tiers, and the rules that keep games flowing instead of stalling.

Hokm

Hokm Strategy Guide: Trump Selection, Partner Reads, and Card Counting

Intermediate Hokm tactics: how the Hakem picks the best trump suit, partner signaling, basic card counting, when to lead trump versus when to save it.

Mafia

Persian-Style Mafia Roles Explained: Godfather, Doctor, Detective, Sniper and More

Every role from the Persian Mafia tradition: what they do, when they act, who wins with them, and how they interact with each other.

SpyRoom

50+ Best Spyfall Locations List (Categorized by Difficulty)

Curated 50+ Spyfall locations sorted by difficulty: easy, medium, hard, expert. Plus tips on what makes a good location and how to build your own custom list.

Roundup

10 Best Free Online Party Games to Play with Friends in 2026

Ten free browser-based party games for groups of 3-16 players. SpyRoom, Hokm, Shelem, Mafia, Pantomime, plus 5 other free games with player counts and learning curves.

Pantomime

300+ Best Charades Words List (Easy, Medium, Hard Difficulty)

Curated 300+ charades words across 8 categories and 3 difficulty levels: animals, foods, jobs, sports, movies, songs, famous people, actions. Mix and match for your game.

Hokm

The History of Hokm: Iran's National Card Game

Where Hokm came from, how it spread across Iran and the diaspora, the connection to Court Piece, and why it remains the social card game of Iranian families today.

Shelem

The History of Shelem: Iran's Bidding Card Game

How a Bridge-influenced auction game became the long-form card game of Iranian families. Origins, the synthesis with Hokm, the talon mechanic, and the cultural niche it occupies.

Mafia

The History of Mafia: From Soviet Psychology Class to Global Party Game

How Mafia went from a 1986 Moscow psychology experiment to a worldwide phenomenon: the Werewolf rebrand, the Persian Mafia variant, and the COVID-era online explosion.

SpyRoom

The History of Spyfall: From Russian Card Game to Worldwide Hit

Designed by Alexander Ushan in 2014, translated into 30+ languages, played by millions. The hidden-role tradition Spyfall built on and the design choices that made it work.

Pantomime

The History of Charades: From 18th Century French Salons to Modern Party Game

Three centuries of evolution: French literary riddle to Victorian-era acted theater to silent mime to digital app. Plus the Persian Pantomime tradition.