Frequently Asked Questions
How do you play Fishbowl?
Fishbowl is a team guessing game played in three rounds. First, each player privately submits a set of words or phrases into the "bowl." Then teams take turns drawing words and guessing them — Round 1 you can describe freely (like Taboo), Round 2 you can only use one word or action (like Password), and Round 3 you must act it out silently (like Charades). The same words cycle through all three rounds, so your clues get harder and funnier each time!
How do I set up a new game?
Tap "New Game" from the home screen. The setup wizard will guide you through: choosing how many teams to play, naming each team and assigning players, having each player privately enter their words, configuring the rules (words per player and turn duration), and then starting the game.
How do players enter their words privately?
During setup, each player gets a private entry screen. Pass the phone to each player in turn — a prompt reminds them to keep their screen hidden from others. They enter their name and their words, then tap "Done." The words go into the shared bowl without the other players seeing them.
How many teams and players can I have?
You can create as many teams as your group needs. Each team can have multiple players. There's no hard cap — Fishbowl is designed for any size gathering, from a few friends to a big family party.
Can I customize the number of words and turn length?
Yes! In the Game Rules step during setup you can set how many words each player submits (3–10 words per player) and choose a turn duration of 30, 60, 90, or 120 seconds. These settings let you tune the game for your group's energy and time.
What happens if a turn is interrupted or the app is closed?
Fishbowl saves your game state automatically. If you close the app mid-game or need to take a break, just reopen it and tap "Resume Game" on the home screen. You'll continue exactly where you left off, including the remaining time on the current turn.
How does scoring work?
Each correctly guessed word earns the active team one point. Skipped words do not count and are returned to the bowl for the next turn. At the end of all three rounds, the team with the most total points wins. You can view the full breakdown — correct guesses, skips, and turns per team — in the post-game summary.
Where can I view past game results?
Tap "Stats" on the home screen to see a history of all completed matches. Each entry shows the teams, the winner (or a tie), total correct guesses, skips, number of turns, and when the game was played. Tap any match to see the full breakdown.
Can I use the random word suggestions?
Yes! On the private word entry screen, each word field has a dice button. Tap it to fill that slot with a random suggestion — famous people, movies, places, and fun phrases. It's a great way to help players who can't think of anything, or to add some surprise to the bowl.
Does Fishbowl require an internet connection or an account?
No. Fishbowl works entirely offline and requires no account or sign-up. All game data is stored locally on your device. No internet connection is needed to play.
How much does Fishbowl cost?
Fishbowl is completely free with no ads, subscriptions, or in-app purchases. Party games should be for everyone.