How to Play 21 Questions

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Have you ever wanted to ask someone a question, but weren’t sure they would answer? The game “21 Questions” is a great game to play if you are trying to get to know someone , whether they’re a friend or romantic partner. Playing the game is super easy—you just ask someone 21 questions and they have to answer each one honestly. Unlike other question games, these questions are typically more personal.

Part 1
Part 1 of 4:

Understanding the Game

PDF download Download Article
  1. The purpose of the game is to ask someone (solo, or a member of a group) 21 questions, all of which must be answered honestly . Although it can be played with friends you’ve had for a while, it is usually best to choose someone you don’t know as well, or someone you want to get to know on a deeper level.
    • If you do not have a new acquaintance or romantic interest, tailor your questions to suit getting to know someone more deeply.
  2. Once you’ve chosen a person to ask questions of, identify what it is you want to know about them. If you’ve chosen a friend, do you want to know more about their background, or are you more interested in their future plans? If you’ve chosen a romantic partner, do you want to know about their dating history, or do you want to know how they feel about your relationship? [1]
    • If you are playing in a group, you can decide as a group what types of questions to ask. This can be tailored to each target, or there can be an overall theme for the game.
    Advertisement
  3. There are two ways to play: the first involves people asking whatever questions come to mind, and asking them at random. The second has the pair (or group) come up with a set list of questions which are then posed to each person. [2]
    • Writing a list beforehand is the easier choice, as everyone knows what they will be asked, and will likely agree to answer. Asking at random may be the more entertaining choice, but is also at higher risk of getting too personal or inappropriate.
  4. If you decide to play this game with strangers or acquaintances you meet in a specific setting, you may want to take that setting into consideration when forming some or all of your questions.
    • If meeting with members of a book club or writer's group, you might ask questions like, “What is your favorite book?” or “If you could be any fictional character from any book, who would you be?”
    • If meeting with a church group, consider questions such as, “What is your favorite Bible verse/story?” or “When did you first develop an interest in religion?”
    • If meeting someone new at the grand opening of a coffee shop, consider questions like “What is your favorite snack to enjoy with coffee?” or “Would you rather give up coffee for a month or stop showering for a week?”
  5. Show respect . Although many of the people playing 21 Questions use is as a method to ask probing or otherwise inappropriate questions, respect the privacy of the person being asked questions--particularly in a group of people. If they want to sidestep something, or answer in vague terms, allow them to do so.
    • The golden rule is a great thing to keep in mind when playing this game. Treat the target the same way you’d like to be treated during your turn as a target.
  6. There are some questions that should not be asked in any circumstance. Before you begin the game, identify any questions that might be too inconsiderate, thoughtless, or crude to ask. [3]
    • These questions can include broad categories such as sex and intimacy, or can be specific questions, such as, “Have you ever committed a crime?”
    • You can also create guidelines about the sort of questions being asked based by theme. For instance, if playing 21 Questions at a church youth group, you might indicate that at least half of the questions must be religious in nature.
  7. There may be a question that is just too probing or intimate for someone to answer. To safeguard against people getting upset, make a rule before starting the game for these instances. [4]
    • A simple rule could be that a target can pass on a question, but must then be asked a question in its place, or that the target can pass on a question, but will forfeit their turn to ask the next target a question.
    8. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 4:

Playing In a Group

PDF download Download Article
  1. In a group, there are going to be multiple targets and multiple people asking questions, so you need to choose a fair method for deciding who goes first, second, third, and so on.
    • Rolling a die is a great way to choose a sequence. Each person rolls, and the person with the lowest roll goes first, followed by the second lowest, and so forth.
    • You can also do something like “ Rock, Paper, Scissors ” to determine who will go first, and do it again before each new game.
    • You can also go in a circle when deciding the order of targets. Once the first person has gone, the person to their left is the next target, and that cycle continues until everyone has had a turn.
  2. Now that the target and sequence have been decided upon, each member of the group should take a turn asking the target questions. You can divvy up the questions based on the number of people in the group (a group of 3 askers could have 7 questions each, for instance), or you can go in a circle and have each person ask one question at a time. [5]
    • If there is a number of people unable to divide evenly into 21, sit in a circle and have someone start the questions. The next round, the person to their left can start the questions, and continue in this manner until everyone has had a chance to ask first.
  3. Once all 21 questions have been asked, either move on to the next target in the predetermined sequence, or take a minute to determine a new target using Rock, Paper, Scissors, or a coin flip .
    4. Advertisement
Part 3
Part 3 of 4:

Playing With Two People

PDF download Download Article
  1. When you are playing with only two people, you may be asking more personal or intimate questions than you would in a group. For this reason, you should both agree upon boundaries for before the game (questions that are off limits), as well as after the game (such as, “We cannot treat each other differently after answering the questions”).
    • This game can injure friendships and relationships quickly, if proper precautions are not taken. Do not ask questions you do not genuinely want the answer to.
    • If you are not sure whether a question is appropriate, simply ask, and give your playing partner a chance to either accept the question or request another one.
  2. The simplest way to choose the first target when only two people are present is to flip a coin. Once you’ve flipped your coin, understand that you must take a turn after the first target has completed their questions.
    • Do not use this game as a means to gather information and refuse to play after the target has finished. This game should always be played on equal footing.
  3. Ask the target 21 questions, using the previously agreed-upon list of off-limits questions as a guide. If you are playing with a friend, ask questions that tell you more about your friend, your friendship, and your friend’s preferences. If you are playing with a romantic partner, ask questions about their life, background, your relationship, and their needs. [6]
    • This game can be great for new couples who want to know more about each other quickly and easily.
    • This game is also wonderful for breaking the ice with a new acquaintance, and should focus on basic, getting-to-know-you questions or silly questions rather than deep or intimate ones.
  4. Once you have finished asking questions, take your turn! Submit yourself to the same questions you’ve asked, or answer entirely new questions. Give the new asker the same courtesy they gave you and answer questions honestly and succinctly.
    • If you do not feel comfortable answering a question, be gracious in asking for a new question. The game is supposed to be fun, and should not cause anger or emotional injury.
    5. Advertisement
Part 4
Part 4 of 4:

Asking Questions

PDF download Download Article
  1. To start out, ask basic questions, such as someone’s favorite color, their first celebrity crush, or where they grew up. You’ll want to ask small, easy questions at first to build trust between the asker(s) and target. [7]
    • Ask “favorites” questions, such as, “What was your favorite age?” “What is your favorite place to visit?” “What was your favorite part of school?” “What is your favorite way to travel?”
    • Ask “what if” questions. You can ask, “What if you could visit any time period in the past?” “What if you could fly?” “What if you had fingers on your feet, and toes on your hands?”
  2. Once you’ve built some groundwork with basic questions, you can ask more personal questions, or you can simply build off of the questions you’ve already asked and the answers you’ve received.
    • To build off of answers you’ve received, take an answer and phrase a question around it, such as, “Your greatest fear is spiders, so what would you do if you moved into a house with a spider infestation?”
    • To build to more personal questions, you can say something like, “The person you’d most like to meet with in the past or present is Susan B. Anthony. Why is she so important to you?”
  3. Some questions are going to be simple (e.g. “What is your favorite movie and why?”), while others are going to require a little bit of thought. Even if you are asking serious questions, ask the target questions that require some creativity or ingenuity to answer. [8]
    • Ask silly questions such as, “Do hair stylists go to other stylists or do they cut their own hair?” or “If an ambulance accidentally injures someone on its way to save someone else, who do the paramedics choose to save?”
    • You can ask serious questions, too, such as: “If the world was ending and you had to save one person, who would you save?” or “If your relationship was starting to go sour, what would you do to try to save it?”
  4. Whether you playing with a friend or a romantic partner, you could always stand to learn about other people’s family and backgrounds. Asking about family can help you get to know your playing partner’s habits and traditions, and asking about their background can lend insight into any cultural differences or interesting ideas they may have. [9]
    • For family, ask questions such as, “Who raised you?” “Was your family close growing up?” “Did you have any special traditions during holidays?”
    • For background, you can ask questions such as, “Do you know where your ancestors are originally from?” “Did you celebrate any special holidays growing up?”
    • When dealing with family and backgrounds, remember to exercise sensitivity; both are very personal topics and require kindness and open-mindedness.
  5. Questions about past romances have the potential to be silly, entertaining, or informative. When deciding what type of past romance questions to ask, consider the tone of the game. Are you playing to deepen your connection to your playing partner, or are you playing to escape boredom on a weekend? [10]
    • If you want to develop a deeper connection with your playing partner, you can ask questions such as “Who was your first kiss?” “What is the best date you’ve ever been on and why was it the best?” “Do you have any fantasies?”
    • If you are asking silly questions, you can ask thing such as, “What was your most awkward kiss?” “Have you ever sneezed in a love interest’s face?” “How long should you wait before passing gas in front of your significant other?”
  6. When asking about goals and aspirations, you must also be somewhat delicate, as you don’t want to laugh or make light of other people’s dreams. When asking these types of questions, you can keep things light-hearted, but avoid mocking your playing partner’s answers. [11]
    • Light-hearted questions can include: “What did you want to be when you were 5?” “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” “Do you hope to be famous one day?”
    • More serious goal questions can include questions such as: “What do you want more than anything else in the world?” “If you could do anything, and money and living were already taken care of, what would you do and why?”
    7. Advertisement


Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Is there a way to win or make 21 questions a competition?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can do so by awarding points. A question set consists of an initial question (e.g. “when were you last embarrassed”) and the associated explanatory follow up questions (e.g. “ […] and why?”) that are asked *before* an answer is give. A player can gain points by: having another player ask an additional follow-up question after an initial answer was already given (e.g. “OMG! What did you do after that happened?”; +1 point to the responder) or returning the question just asked back to the asker (e.g. “What about you? How would you answer that question?”; +2 points to the initial asker).
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    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
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 4
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Read Video Transcript

      Tips

      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • This game is not an opportunity to expose someone’s secrets or indiscretions. It is meant to be a fun and interesting way to get to know someone.
        Thanks
        Helpful 15 Not Helpful 2
      • Do not use this game as a weapon, or when you are in the midst of an argument with the target. You may both regret what you say.
        Thanks
        Helpful 16 Not Helpful 4
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Play the Cat Scratch Game
      No Supplies Needed: Easy Classic Games to Play With Your Family
      How to
      Do Cat’s Cradle and Similar String Designs
      M.A.S.H: A Silly Prediction Game for All Ages
      How to
      Win at Tic Tac Toe
      How to
      Play Pool
      The 25 Best (and Spiciest) Drinking Games to Play as a Couple
      How to
      Write Words With a Calculator
      How to
      Play "Flame"
      How to
      Play Snaps
      Is It Possible to Beat Google’s Impossible Tic Tac Toe?
      Shut the Box Official Rules
      How to
      Setup and Play a Game of Jenga
      4 Mind-Blowing Calculator Tricks
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://sports.yahoo.com/21-questions-ask-guy-girl-192900088.html
      2. ↑ https://www.teenvogue.com/story/21-questions-game
      3. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships-communication/setting-healthy-boundaries-in-relationships.htm
      4. ↑ https://sports.yahoo.com/21-questions-ask-guy-girl-192900088.html
      5. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/worklife/a43931001/21-questions-game/
      6. ↑ https://www.dailydot.com/news/21-questions-game/
      7. ↑ https://www.dailydot.com/news/21-questions-game/
      8. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/worklife/a43931001/21-questions-game/
      9. ↑ https://www.teenvogue.com/story/21-questions-game
      1. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/worklife/a43931001/21-questions-game/
      2. ↑ https://sports.yahoo.com/21-questions-ask-guy-girl-192900088.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      21 Questions is a game for people to get to know each other better. It can be played either in a group or with just two people. If the game is being played in a group, a target volunteers or is selected. Then, the target is asked a total of 21 questions and must answer them honestly. Other group members usually take turns asking the target questions. Depending on the context, questions can be simple get-to-know-you questions, like "What is your favorite ice cream and why?", or more probing questions like "What's a secret you never told anyone?" If the target chooses to pass on a question, they can be asked a new question. In some versions, passing means the target also forefeits their chance to ask next target a question. Once the target has answered 21 questions, they're finished and a new target has to answer 21 questions. If the game is being played by only two people, they can alternate asking each other questions until they each answer 21 questions. This is great for new romantic partners as they can learn about each other's families, backgrounds, and past romances. No matter who you play with, just make sure that everyone is having a good time and to stay respectful if somebody says a topic is off limits. Keep reading to learn how it’s different to play 21 Questions with only 2 people!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 892,370 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement