Flowers, skulls and pure bluffing

Play Skull online free

Stack discs face down, then bet how many flowers you can flip in a row. Turn over one skull and you lose a disc.
Play Skull free
Open a room with friends
No sign-up, no download: play bots right now or share a 4-letter code with your friends.
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Players
3-6
Length
15-20 min
Difficulty
Easy
Mode
Competitive
Rules and tips written and play-tested by the Apateon team (Zanacode S.A.S.) · Updated October 13, 2026

What is Skull?

The purest bluffing game ever made. 3-6 players.
Also known as Skull & Roses.

Skull on Apateon

Skull on Apateon — screenshot 1 of a game on a phoneSkull on Apateon — screenshot 2 of a game on a phoneSkull on Apateon — screenshot 3 of a game on a phoneSkull on Apateon — screenshot 4 of a game on a phone

How to play Skull

  • 1
    Each player stacks discs face down: flowers, plus one skull.
  • 2
    Once someone bets, you raise or pass; whoever wins the bidding starts flipping discs.
  • 3
    Flip that many flowers and you win the round — flip a skull and you lose a disc.

Full Skull rules

Your discs

  • •
    You own 4 discs: 3 Flowers and 1 Skull.
  • •
    Each round everyone secretly stacks one disc, then on your turn you add another disc or start bidding.

Bidding

  • •
    A bid says: "I can flip that many discs without hitting a Skull."
  • •
    Each player in turn raises the bid or passes. Last one standing becomes the challenger.

The challenge

  • •
    The challenger must flip their OWN stack first, then discs from the top of other stacks.
  • •
    Flip only Flowers up to your bid → you win the challenge.
  • •
    Flip a Skull → you fail and lose one of your own discs (at random).

Winning

  • •
    Win 2 challenges → you win the game.
  • •
    Lose all 4 discs → you are eliminated. Last player alive also wins.
  • •
    Tip: never bid high when your own Skull is on the table…

Tips to win at Skull

  • •
    Play your Skull now and then even when you do not plan to bid: if you never play it, everyone learns your stack is safe.
  • •
    The challenger flips their own stack first, so bidding high with your Skull on the table is a guaranteed loss.
  • •
    Watch who raises: a big bidder usually has only flowers down… or wants you to think so.
  • •
    If you lose your Skull, your stacks are always safe from then on: bid with more confidence, since nobody knows which disc you lost.
For groups
Easy to learn
On a video call

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 Skull, try

Spyfall
Find the spy — or bluff your way through
3-8 players · 40 min
Liar's Dice
Perudo — bid, bluff and call Dudo
2-8 players · 15-25 min
Impostor
Bluff through the word you never saw
3-10 players · 10-15 min
Just One
Co-op word clues — duplicates cancel
3-7 players · 20 min

FAQ

Is Skull the same as Skull & Roses?

Yes. Skull is also known as Skull & Roses: four discs per player, one skull and a lot of lying.

How do you win at Skull?

By winning two challenges, or by being the last player with discs left.

What happens if I flip a skull?

You fail the challenge and lose one of your discs at random. Lose all four and you are out.

How many people can play Skull?

Skull plays with 3 to 6 players. If you are short, Apateon fills the empty seats with bots.

How long is a game of Skull?

A full game takes about 15-20 minutes.

Can I play Skull online for free?

Yes. Skull 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.