Bluff the fisher with fake answers — one of you knows the truth
Play Hook & Liar online free
A bluffing trivia game built on weird but true facts. Sell your fake answer, guess who is lying, and know when to stop fishing before you hook the truth.
No sign-up, no download: play bots right now or share a 4-letter code with your friends.
Or download the app
Players
3-10
Length
15 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Mode
Competitive
What is Hook & Liar?
Weird but true trivia, one honest player and a table full of liars. 3-10 players.
Hook & Liar on Apateon
How to play Hook & Liar
- 1Each round one player is the fisher and reads a weird trivia question.
- 2One secret player gets the true answer; everyone else invents a fake one, with a few ideas to help.
- 3The fisher reels in answers one by one: each fake is a point, but hook the truth and the round's catch is lost.
Full Hook & Liar rules
Cast the line
- •Each round one player is the fisher. Everyone sees the same strange question.
- •One other player is secretly told the true answer. Everyone else must invent a fake one.
- •Bluffers get three ready-made fake answers to pick from, or can write their own.
- •No two answers may be the same, and nobody can see who has answered until all are in.
Reel them in
- •When every answer is in, they are shown next to each player. Talk, ask questions, read faces.
- •The fisher picks one player at a time. A fake is caught: +1 to the fisher's catch.
- •After any catch the fisher may stop and keep the catch — or keep fishing.
- •Hook the player with the truth and the whole catch for that round is lost.
Scoring
- •Fisher: 1 point per fake caught, if they stop in time. Catch every fake for +1 bonus.
- •Bluffers: +1 if you are still swimming when the round ends.
- •Truth-teller: +2 if the fisher hooks you. Sometimes the best play is to sound fishy!
The end
- •Everyone takes a turn as the fisher (twice each with 3-4 players).
- •The highest score wins; ties share the win.
Tips to win at Hook & Liar
- •As a liar, pick an answer as weird as the truth: Hook & Liar's facts are strange, so a "normal" answer often gives the fakes away.
- •If you hold the truth, you score 2 when the fisher hooks you: sometimes it pays to look suspicious.
- •As the fisher, stop in time: hooking the truth-teller loses your whole catch for the round.
- •Talk before you fish: asking questions and seeing who hesitates is the best clue.
Why Apateon
One code for the whole night
One room, one 4-letter code, every game. Switch games without inviting anyone again.
No account
Type your name and play. No sign-up, no passwords.
Bots fill empty seats
Missing someone? A bot takes the seat so you can start right away.
Phone and web
Some play from the app, others from a browser — all in the same game.
If you like Hook & Liar, try
FAQ
How do you play Hook & Liar?
Everyone sees a question about a weird but true fact. One player gets the real answer and the rest make up a fake one; the fisher picks players one by one to hook lies without landing the truth.
How many times is each player the fisher?
Once, or twice with 3 or 4 players.
Can I write my own lie?
Yes. Liars get three ready-made fake answers to choose from, but they can also write their own.
How many people can play Hook & Liar?
Hook & Liar plays with 3 to 10 players. If you are short, Apateon fills the empty seats with bots.
How long is a game of Hook & Liar?
A full game takes about 15 minutes.
Can I play Hook & Liar online for free?
Yes. Hook & Liar is free in your browser and in the Apateon app, with no sign-up.
Do we all need to be in the same place?
No. Everyone uses their own phone or computer, so you can play around one table or remotely, for example over a video call.