20 Questions
A timeless deductive guessing game that requires nothing but two curious minds.
What's Included
None — no equipment needed. Can be played anywhere: walking, in the car, on a train, or lying on the living room carpet.
Skills Developed
Deductive thinking, language development, question formulation, general knowledge building, critical thinking, communication, logical reasoning.
How to Play
One person thinks of something — an object, animal, person, or concept. The other players try to figure out what it is by asking yes-or-no questions. You typically start by identifying the broad category (living thing or object?) and then gradually narrow down to the answer.
There are no strict rules about the number of questions — the English name suggests 20 as a limit, but you can play with any number. Fewer questions make it harder. The game works in any setting: face-to-face, over text, on the phone, or during a hike.
In Hungary, the game is known as Barchoba, named after Simon Bar Kochba, and has been played since the early twentieth century in literary circles.
Notes
Traditional game with no components. Featured in a deep-dive article. Also known as Barchoba in Hungary. The ancestor of deductive board games like Mastermind and Similo.
Featured In Our Articles
Learn more about 20 Questions in these educational articles
20 Questions - A deeper dive into the game
20 Questions is a simple, equipment-free game that supports critical thinking, communication, and cognitive development in children and adults.
No previous game
6 nimmt!
A true classic. As simple as it is, it’s equally thinky and math-heavy.