Hooky

Rio Grande Games · Board game · 2023
3–5 · best 4 45–60 min Weight 2.6/5
9.0 rating Ludopedia
7.4 rating BGG
Buy
9.0 rating Ludopedia
7.4 rating BGG
Our Verdict

If you love a quick, fun mystery, Hooky serves up deduction with a word‑game twist.

Highlights
  • Simple, fast rules
  • Constant player interaction
  • Multiple scoring paths keep tension
Keep in mind
  • Requires five‑letter vocabulary
  • Games can drag if nobody takes risks
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About the game
Hooky drops you into the shoes of a homeroom teacher on a chaotic morning before school starts. Out of the 26 kids who should be in class, three have decided to play hooky. Your mission is to pinpoint those three rascals using only five‑letter words. Each student is represented by a letter of the alphabet, and at the start everyone receives a handful of cards that tell you which letters are definitely *not* missing. From there you interrogate your fellow teachers: you name a five‑letter word and the opponent replies with a number indicating how many of those letters they hold, without revealing which ones. That numeric clue, combined with what you already know, helps you eliminate possibilities. As more tardy kids wander onto the playground, new cards appear in players' hands, expanding the pool of information. Correct guesses—identifying a Hooky card or correctly naming another player's hand—earn you points. After 45‑60 minutes, the player with the most points wins. With a light weight of 2.6/5, Hooky is friendly to newcomers to deduction games yet still offers enough depth for genre fans. A dash of push‑your‑luck lets you gamble on bolder questions for extra points, at the risk of handing useful data to opponents. The result is a breezy, laugh‑filled "aha!" experience that shines with 3‑5 players.
Rules videos

In English

BEST PLAYER COUNT
3 REC
4 BEST
5 BEST
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Game details

Mechanics

Categories

Publisher Rio Grande Games
Designer Friends of Aseema, James Miller (I)
Artist Mirko Akira Suzuki, Tessa Samuelson
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players can join?
The game supports 3 to 5 players.
What is the typical playing time?
A game usually lasts 45–60 minutes, depending on the group's speed.
How complex is Hooky?
It has a light complexity (weight 2.6/5), perfect for newcomers to deduction games.
What components are included?
Student cards (26 letters), Hooky cards, scoring markers, and a rule booklet.
Do I need a big vocabulary?
Knowing five‑letter words helps, but the game provides word suggestions for players who need them.
Can kids play it?
Yes, it’s recommended for ages 10+, as long as they grasp the deduction concept.
Are there any expansions?
Currently there are no official expansions for Hooky.