How to Play Murder

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Who knew that a handshake in the dark could lead to your very demise? The game Murder goes by a variety of names and different iterations depending on where you're from. However, every version is easy to play and makes for a great icebreaker - especially in classrooms or at parties. All you need is a group of 10 or more people, a piece of paper, and a bit of critical thinking.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Playing Standard Murder

1
Pick someone who will not be playing. If no one volunteers, try playing rock, paper, scissors or drawing straws. Then you can take turns with who sits out if you play multiple games. This person will either control the light switch of the room or hold a flashlight. They can pause the game at any time, and ask someone if they know who the murderer is. They will also turn the lights off at the beginning of the game.
2
Pick a murderer. You can do this a few different ways. Either the person who is not playing can choose a murderer or you can randomly choose one using a deck of cards or pieces of paper. For example, have everyone stand in a circle and close their eyes. The person sitting out can then tap someone on the shoulder and that person will be the murderer.
- To use a deck of cards, use all non-face cards except one. The person who draws the face card will then be the murderer.^{[1]
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- The same can be done with slips of paper. Gather as many slips as you have players and keep them all blank except one. On one piece of paper draw an X, then whoever gets this piece of paper is the murderer.
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3
Begin the game. Everyone must walk as if they are walking in a grid. This means straight lines and ninety-degree turns. There is no set pattern to follow, you just want to make sure everyone isn’t bumping into each other. However, you should be passing other players frequently. You must also shake the hand of everyone you pass.
4
Scratch the inside of other players’ wrists. If you are the murderer, you want to kill as many players as you can before you get caught. The way to do this is by scratching the inside of another player’s wrist with your index finger while shaking their hand. Remember, it’s not necessary to kill every person whose hand you shake. Especially since this will make it obvious that you’re the killer.^{[2]
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5
Wait ten seconds before “dying.” As a player, if the inside of your wrist is scratched, you must wait ten seconds before you officially “die.” This helps add to the mystery of who the killer is, as you will likely have shaken someone else’s hand right after the murderer’s.
- Feel free to be as dramatic with your death as you want. You can fling yourself to the floor, scream, fake cry - it’s up to you!
6
Try to guess who the murderer is. While the game is taking place, players are free to guess who they think the murderer is. For example, someone might say “Jason, are you the murderer?” If they’re correct, then the game ends and you can start a new one. However, if they’re wrong, they “die” and have to leave the game.
- Once the murderer is discovered, the game is officially over.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Playing Squeeze Murder

1
Choose a murderer. You can do this in a few different ways. One way is to get a bowl or paper bag and cut/tear a piece of paper into small slips. On one piece of paper, write M for the murderer and leave the other slips blank. The player who gets the M will be the killer.
- You can also use a deck of cards. For example, use non-face cards (i.e. anything that’s not a King, Queen, or Jack) and then mix one face card into them. Whoever pulls the face card will then be the murderer.
2
Sit in a circle and hold hands. Once the murderer has been chosen, you want to have everyone get into a circle and hold hands. This is necessary as the murderer will have to pass along a “squeeze” to kill his or her victims.
- Once you are ready to begin, make sure to have someone turn out the lights.
3
Start the squeeze. Whoever the murderer is can wait as long as they want until they start the squeeze. However, they can only squeeze the hands of the people to the right and left of them. These are the people that will help pass it along until it reaches the victim. For example, let’s say the murderer squeezes the hand of the person on their right three times. The person on their right must then squeeze the hand of the person next to them two times, and so on until it reaches one squeeze. Whoever’s hand is squeezed one time must then “die.”^{[3]
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4
Exit when you're the victim. If your hand is only squeezed once, you are, unfortunately, “dead.” This means you have to stop playing and leave the circle. However, you can die as dramatically as you want. Often, a more dramatic death adds more fun to the game. For example, flinging yourself from your chair, clutching your chest, and moaning.
5
Guess the murderer. This can be tricky as you don’t always know which direction the squeeze is coming from. However, as the circle gets smaller, you should be able to get a better idea of who the murderer is. Once you have an idea, ask “Sarah, are you the murderer?” If you’re correct, you win and the game is over. If you’re wrong, though, you have to leave the circle and the game continues.
- Keep playing until the murderer is uncovered or until all players are dead and the murderer wins.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I kill or that you know I died?

Community Answer

If you are playing standing murder, then you can tap the person you want to kill on the shoulder. If you are sitting, point to the person you want to kill and the narrator will announce the death.
Question

We like to play this outside. How necessary is turning out the lights?

Community Answer

Quite necessary, because it builds tension and creates a better game. You can play this in the light if you want, but it will be less tense.
Question

Can there be 2 murderers?

Author987

Community Answer

If there are a lot of people, then you can have 2 murderers. It really depends how long you want the game to go for. If you do decide to have 2 murderers, change the rules slightly. Note that 2 murderers can only be on normal mode, not the squeeze. It would add another layer of difficulty, but you can if you want!

Warnings

Make sure the room is spacious and empty. You don't want people walking into pianos or stubbing their toes on dressers or stray chairs.

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