How to Play Twister

Twister is a simple, classic party game for 2-3 players. However, if you've never played and you're missing the instructions, it can be hard to figure out how to negotiate the big mat-o-dots. You will need a Twister mat, a spinner, a flat surface, and flexibility.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Setting Up the Game

1
Make sure that you have 2 or 3 players. You will also need one person to serve as the referee, spinning the needle and calling out hand and foot positions.
- If you have more than four people at your Twister party, you may need to rotate out players, each round, so that everyone gets a change to twist. Consider setting up "stations" with separate games so that the non-players have something to do.
2
Pick your playing field. Choose a spacious, flat, and well-lit area: a living room floor, a deck, or a patio.
- Make sure that you have enough space to accommodate flailing limbs, wacky poses, and falling players.
- You can play Twister indoors or outdoors. Take weather conditions into account--a bit of rain can quickly turn the Twister mat into a mini-Slip'N Slide.
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3
Unfold the mat and spread it out on the floor. Make sure that the surface is reasonably flat. The face-up side of the mat should be white, covered in red, yellow, blue, and green spots--24 spots in all.
- Smooth out the wrinkles. The Twister mat will likely slide around and bunch up over the course of the game--this is normal.
- Consider using shoes, books, or other small, dense objects to hold the corners of the mat in place.^{[1]
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  Research source} This is especially important if you are playing outside, where the wind may blow the edges of the mat mid-game. Avoid using objects with sharp edges, like bricks.
4
Assemble the Twister spinner. This is a square board with "left foot", "right foot", "left hand", and "right hand" in its corners. Press the center of the black spinning needle into the hole in the center of the board.
- You should be able to spin the black needle cleanly, without friction, such that it makes several revolutions around the spinner board. The needle should stop, eventually, pointing into one of the (left/right foot/hand) corners.
- If this particular Twister set has been used before, the spinner may already be assembled. If it spins, then you're good to go.
5
Dress comfortably. Wear loose, flexible clothing that will allow you to stretch. You don't want to rip your pants in the middle of a party!
- Loose shorts, yoga pants, or sweatpants are great. Wear something breathable.
- Take off any heavy jackets or stiff layers before you play. Extra layers will constrict your movement, and extended stretching may tear your clothes.
- If you have long hair, consider putting your hair up with a hair-tie or a headband before you play. If your hair falls into your eyes while you are bending over, it may impede your playing.
6
Take off your shoes, even if you're outside. All players should remove their shoes before stepping onto the Twister mat.
- This will keep the mat clean and reduce the risk of stepping on other players' toes.
- Socks are fine. Bare feet are fine.
7
Limber up. If you aren't used to contorting your body into unnatural positions, consider stretching before you play Twister. If you loosen up your muscles before you play, you will be able to hold poses longer--and boost your chances of winning!
- Bend forward, keeping your legs straight, and reach for your toes. Hold the position for at least ten seconds.
- Twist your torso slowly to the right, as far as you can go, then slowly to the left. Hold each pose for at least ten seconds.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Playing the Game

1
Choose one person to serve as the referee. The referee will spin the spinner, call out the moves, and supervise the game.
- Remember to switch off so that everyone gets a chance to play. Some players may prefer to spend more time on the mat, while others may be content to sit back and call the shots.
- If you only have two people--not enough for two players and a referee--you can play without a spinner. On each "spin", count to three: one player calls out the color and the other player calls out the body part. Alternate who calls what.
2
Step onto the mat. Remember to remove your shoes. The referee should keep off the mat.
- For two players: Players should face each other from opposite ends of the mat, near the word "Twister". Place one foot on the yellow circle and the other foot on the blue circle closest to your end of the mat. Your opponent does the same on his or her end.
- For three players: Two players face each other on opposite ends of the mat, near the word "Twister". Each player places one foot on the yellow circle and the other foot on the blue circle closest to his or her end of the mat. The third player faces the center from the red-circle side of the mat, placing one foot on each of the two middle red circles.^{[2]
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3
Spin the needle. The referee spins the needle, and then calls out the color and body part on which the needle lands. All players must obey this direction.
- For example: "Right foot, green!" or "Left hand, blue!"
4
Place your right/left hand/foot (whichever has been called by the referee) on a vacant dot of the called color. All players must move the same body part to the same color at the same time.^{[3]
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- For example: say you are standing with your right foot on a blue spot and your left foot on a yellow spot, and the referee calls out, "Right hand, red!" You must bend down to your right, keeping your feet where they are, and touch one of the red circles with your right hand.
- Do not move any body part until the spinner says so. You may lift a limb, briefly, to allow another limb to pass by, but you must immediately place it back upon the circle from which it came.^{[4]
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- If you are already touching a color with the limb that has been called, you must move your limb to another circle of the same color.
- No two players can touch the same spot at the same time--so make your moves wisely! If two players do reach for the same circle, the referee must decide who got there first.
5
Try not to fall. If a player falls, or lets an knee or an elbow touch the mat, he or she is eliminated from the round. The last player standing wins the round.
- Players should only ever touch the mat with their hands and feet.
- Remember to switch roles each round so that the referee gets a turn on the mat. Consider making a rule: the first person to fall has to be the referee next round!

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Winning the Game

1
Stay balanced. You want to be the last one standing. When you touch a circle, do not over-reach; you never know how long you will have to wait before moving a given body part, so make sure that you are comfortable in your pose.
- Keep your legs planted firmly, if possible, and do not spread them too widely.
- Stay close to your center of mass. Do not lean too far in any direction; make your movements close to your torso, and assess your balance before you definitively place your hand onto a spot.
2
Crowd your opponent toward the edge of the mat. When you place your hand or foot on a color, choose the circle that is closest to your opponent. Over time, this will reduce the number of circles that he can easily reach.
- Be careful not to physically push another player off the mat. Use the space that your body takes up to block your opponent's own movements.
3
Let your opponents defeat themselves. If you can take up a lot of space, retain your balance, and outlast the other players, you may be able to keep the game going until everyone else loses their balance.
- Be patient, be a good sport, and have fun. Twister doesn't need to be about winning--it can be a great opportunity to laugh at yourself!

Community Q&A

Question

How does nude Twister work?

Community Answer

Nude Twister works exactly like regular Twister except for the fact that everyone playing is naked.
Question

Can I still play Twister in other countries?

Community Answer

Absolutely, you can. Either take the game with you or purchase it in your new country.
Question

How do players start the twister game?

Надежда Катеринкина

Community Answer

You spin the wheel, and the first player is follows the instructions in the wheel.