How to Play The Game (Mind Game)

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If you're reading this page right now, you just lost. Despite involving no digital graphics, complicated scenarios, or even very many rules, the Game is estimated to have millions of players worldwide. Started online, the Game is currently outlawed in some Internet forums where the Game spread like wildfire. The rules? The point of The Game is not to think of The Game. Welcome to weird, challenging, frustrating world of The Game. [1]

Part 1
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Learning the Concept

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  1. The Game is both infinitely simple and ridiculously complex. Also, you lost again, if you're still reading. The rules to the Game are as follows:
    • Everyone in the world is playing the Game, whether they know it or not.
    • If you think about the Game, you lose the Game. This includes things like desperately trying not to think about the Game, or being tipped off by anyone else talking about losing the Game, or any split-second that the Game randomly pops into your mind. You think about it, you lose.
    • When you lose, you have to announce that you lost. It can be out loud, on the Internet, in writing, or in any number of other ways. Announcing your losses is the only way that the Game is played. [2]
  2. Nobody ever wins the game, you can only avoid losing and attempt to make other people lose by spreading the word about the Game. If you're in the Game to win, you're going to lose. If you're in the Game to lose, congratulations!
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  3. Ironic processing is the psychological phenomenon that describes the inverse relationship between a desire to avoid thoughts and the persistence of those thoughts. In other words, the more you want to stop thinking about the Game, the more you're thinking about the Game.
    • This is also sometimes called the "white bear phenomenon," based on a reference in Tolstoy, or the "pink elephant phenomenon." The act of deciding to not think about something makes you think about something. [3]
    • Ironic processing was used to humorous effect in the first Ghostbusters movie, in which the Ghostbusters were told that whatever they thought of would come to destroy them. Despite attempts to clear their minds entirely, someone thinks of the Stay-Puff'd marshmallow man, who arrives in monster-form to destroy Manhattan.
  4. Some people play the Game slightly differently, giving players a grace period after losing before you can lose again, or are not required to announce it for a certain period of time. This time can range from a few seconds to half an hour or so. Others put restrictions on ways that a loss can be announced. If you're playing with some friends, decide on winnable rules, if you want.
    • Some may say that death can also end the Game, while others say that the Game will end when the British Prime Minister, President of the United States, or the Pope says the Game is lost on national television. Still others believe that the Game can only be won when someone knocks the hat off the Pope.
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Part 2
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Learning Strategies

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  1. Every new person you tell about the Game will automatically lose the Game. Walk around in a t-shirt, or carry a sign that says "I lost The Game." Wear it in public as often as possible, explain the Game to people, and force them to discover and simultaneously lose the Game. [4]
    • While this isn't against the rules (there are only three rules in the Game), keep in mind that some Game forums frown upon this. Because the Game is widespread in certain areas, talking about it at all is seen as being super-annoying by some. Discuss the Game with caution.
  2. Announcing "I lost The Game!" when you think of it will also serve to remind other people about the Game, thus forcing them to lose concurrently, creating an infuriating chain of loss. This will normally happen at random times. You can announce this verbally, or you can be creative about it.
  3. If you start a Game, keep it going on as long as you want, and keep other people losing by reminding them about it as often as possible. Perpetuate the cycle by trying to remind the other players, informed and uninformed about it whenever you get the chance:
    • If you're in class, write and pass notes about the Game, announcing that you lost. This will keep you from getting in trouble by shouting it out every 10 seconds. If someone isn't available to inform at the moment you lose, write them a note and give it to them later, or stick it into their locker through the slats. You could even do this to random people.
    • Write on dry-erase boards and chalkboards, either with teacher permission or inconspicuously when the teacher isn't looking. Try to keep this to a minimum and only do it if you know the teacher won't mind. Anyone who looks in your direction will lose The Game.
    • Take out an add in the classifieds. While you'll need some kind of approval for this, if you work on a school newspaper or other newsletter, find a way to incorporate a mention of the Game or something that will trigger thoughts of the Game.
  4. Find message boards, chat rooms, and other online venues to blast off status updates and other messages about the Game. [5] The more people who know about it, the more people lose and know they're losing. Update your Facebook page right now with a simple message: "I just lost the Game."
    • Blast off emails to everyone you know, and title them "I lost the Game." Every time you lose the Game, alert everyone on your contact list.
  5. Within a given amount of time, try to stop thinking about the Game. Depending on who you're playing with, you may have a set amount of time to stop thinking about the Game, or it may go on indefinitely. This can be anywhere from a minute to an hour, but ten minutes usually works the best and is considered the standard in many places. Other places do not follow this rule.
    • Because not-thinking about something isn't possible to do actively, all you can do is actively make yourself think about other things. Try to recite the lyrics to a long and involved rap song in your mind, or recite a prayer ad infinitum. [6] Try to remember all the lines in Caddyshack and start reciting the movie. Do anything but think about the Game.
    • Start reading, if you can. Plug up your ears and don't listen to anything anyone else says. Just focus all your energy into doing something else, thinking about something else, and ignoring what's happening around you.
  6. If you often lose the Game in a certain location, a certain place or activity reminds you of the Game, or you know of certain people that always seem to have lost the Game, try to steer clear. However, be aware that the thought process required to do this is likely to make you lose.
  7. The knowledge of the Game is available to everyone. If you start sending out emails or text messages announcing your loss of The Game, expect others to do so as well. If something looks suspicious, it might be best not to open it. Of course, if you're suspicious that an email might contain a reference to the Game then you're thinking about the Game, and you lose. Good luck.
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  • Question
    What is the game and what does it mean? Can you please clarify?
    Community Answer
    "The Game" is a system of control and flexibility over your own mind and the minds of others. In theory, if you are able to control your own mind, then controlling the minds of others is much easier.
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  • Question
    How do I win The Game?
    Community Answer
    You have to not think about The Game for your entire life.
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    Not Helpful 20 Helpful 56
  • Question
    If something happens during The Game that was not part of it and doesn't remind anybody of The Game, is losing possible?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it is.
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    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      • Make up your own way! There are plenty of creative ways to alert the world that you have lost The Game... come up with a new one that nobody has ever thought of.
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      • Play the Game with multiple people. If you only play it with one person, you may start to associate the Game with them, causing you to think of it every time you see them.
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      • There will be people out there who claim to not be playing the Game or just refuse to say they have lost. They are in denial of playing/losing the Game. Ignore them.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Remember, there are sharks, and there is chum. Know for sure which you are before participating. (Keep in mind, there is always a top shark).
      • Check to see how the variations of the Game are played in your area by asking people who know about the Game.
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      Warnings

      • Don't let the Game get you into trouble at school. Many schools have attempted to ban the Game, as it can often be disruptive. Even if you have a good-natured teacher who participates, keep it to a minimum.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://thenextweb.com/news/you-just-lost-again
      2. ↑ http://ilostthegame.org/
      3. ↑ https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/thoughts-suppression
      4. ↑ https://thenextweb.com/news/you-just-lost-again
      5. ↑ https://thenextweb.com/news/you-just-lost-again
      6. ↑ https://thenextweb.com/news/you-just-lost-again

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you want to play the Game, a popular mind game, avoid thinking about the Game or else you will lose. If you do think of the Game, even for a minute, announce your losses to someone nearby by saying "I lost the Game." To win the Game, you should try to make others think about the Game while not thinking of the Game yourself. For example, you could wear a t-shirt or hat that mentions the Game so others will read your shirt and lose. However, no one really "wins" so the best you can hope for is to avoid losing for periods of time. To learn some strategies to win the Game, read on!

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