Love political theater? Game nights have come a long way since the Trump speech drinking game. Enter the Secret Hitler game—the hidden-role board game that transforms your closest friends into suspicious enemies, government agents, and maybe even Hitler himself. Add drinks to the mix, and you’ve got a recipe for deception, drama, and unforgettable chaos.
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What Is Secret Hitler Board Game?
Secret Hitler is a social deduction game set in pre-World War II Germany. Secret Hitler board game was created by Max Temkin and a few others in 2016, and quickly exploded in popularity for its high-stakes gameplay and clever mechanics.
Players are secretly split into two teams: the liberals, who have the numbers, and the fascists, who have deception on their side. The twist? One of the fascists is Secret Hitler, and if they gain too much power, the game is over—and democracy is dead.
Why Secret Hitler is Perfect for Drinking Games
Social deduction games thrive on chaos—and booze just cranks it up. Secret Hitler brings hidden roles, surprise betrayals, and “you did NOT just do that” drama, making it perfect for a drinking twist. With every shady policy and sketchy vote, there’s a chance to sip, shoot, or shame. Nobody leaves unscathed, so you might as well raise a glass to betrayal.
How to Play Secret Hitler Board Game
Setting up the game is straightforward, but the psychological warfare begins before the first card is played.
Players: 5 to 10
Time: 45-60 minutes
Objective: Pass 5 liberal policies (liberals win) or 6 fascist policies/elect Hitler as Chancellor (fascists win)
Secret Hitler Game Rule
Everyone is secretly assigned a role: Liberal, Fascist, or Hitler. Liberals don’t know who anyone is. Fascists know each other (except Hitler, who’s left in the dark unless there are 7+ players).
Each round, a President nominates a Chancellor. Everyone votes. If the government is elected, the President draws three policies, discards one, and passes two to the Chancellor—who picks one to enact. The goal is for Liberals to pass five Liberal policies or assassinate Hitler. Fascists win by passing six Fascist policies or electing Hitler as Chancellor after three Fascist policies are on the board.
Secret Hitler Rulebook Summary for Quick Learners
- Don’t reveal your role. Ever.
- Voting is public, policy decisions are private.
- Liberals need to watch behavior and voting patterns.
- Fascists should blend in and deflect suspicion.
- If Hitler is elected Chancellor after three fascist policies, game over.
Secret Hitler Strategy Guide: How to Lie Like a Pro
The game is part politics, part poker. Here’s how to win without flipping the table.
As a Liberal:
- Track voting history. Fascists will back each other quietly.
- Ask direct questions.
- Look for inconsistencies between words and actions.
- Be loud about suspicion—but not too loud. Overconfidence can be sus.
As a Fascist:
- Early game? Support liberal policies to build trust.
- Always blame policy failures on the deck.
- Stay calm when accused. Desperation = guilt.
- Protect Hitler without being obvious.
As Hitler:
- Don’t speak too much early on.
- Let others do the dirty work.
- Avoid making risky moves until you sense control.
- If nominated as Chancellor after three fascist policies—act shocked, pretend unsure.
The smaller the group, the harder it is to lie. The bigger the group, the more chaos you can weaponize.
How to Turn Secret Hitler into a Drinking Game
Secret Hitler has built-in tension points, and every one of them can be paired with drinks. Voting? Drink when you’re in the minority. Policies? Drink when your side takes a hit. Executive powers? Punish or reward with shots. Hidden roles? Perfect for bluff-based sipping penalties.
Tools You’ll Need (Besides the Game + Booze)
- Variety of drink types (beer, wine, liquor for shots)
- Shot glasses or solo cups
- Non-alcoholic options for balance and breaks
- A printed copy of your house rules (trust me, you’ll forget them halfway through)
General Drinking Rules for Secret Hitler
- Take a sip every time your vote loses
- Take two sips if a fascist policy passes while you’re a liberal.
- If you get assassinated, finish your drink.
- If Hitler gets elected Chancellor and wins the game—everyone else drinks.
Secret Hitler Drinking Game Variants
Secret Stalin – Vodka Edition
A classic from Reddit, Secret Stalin is a re-themed version where vodka is the official drink of choice. It’s the same rules as above, but every Fascist-related action requires a shot of vodka. Liberals drink wine. If you’re Hitler, you’re not allowed to drink until you win—then you drink twice as much.
Dangerously Russian. Hilariously painful.
Fast-Paced Chaos Mode
For when you’ve only got an hour or want to keep the game moving quickly:
- 10-second timer to make every decision or take a drink.
- No discussion during policy reveals—just blind accusations.
- Players must drink every time someone calls them suspicious.
This version works best with fewer players and lots of reckless energy.
Hardcore Mode
This one’s for veterans (or masochists):
- Shot per Fascist policy.
- Drink every time you lie.
- If you’re Hitler and get assassinated: finish your drink.
- If you’re a Fascist and a Liberal calls you out correctly: take a shot and admit defeat.
You’ll remember the betrayal. You won’t remember the ending.
Secret Hitler Print-and-Play: DIY Your Own Game
Can’t get your hands on a copy? No problem. Secret Hitler is officially released under a Creative Commons license, meaning you can print and play it for free.
Just head to the official Secret Hitler website, download the PDF, and get to work. You’ll need:
- A printer (color recommended)
- Scissors or a paper cutter
- Optional: card sleeves and thicker paper
It’s a great option for broke college students, minimalist gamers, or anyone who wants to try before they buy.
Secret Hitler Online: How to Play Remotely With Friends
Virtual betrayal? Absolutely. Here’s how to play Secret Hitler online:
1. Use platforms like secrethitler.io or Tabletop Simulator
2. Set up a Zoom or Discord call
3. Use a screen share or voice-only channel to keep the mystery alive
4. Stick to the same roles and mechanics
Online play retains all the tension and drama, just with more tech hiccups and maybe a cat walking across your keyboard.
Tips for Playing Secret Hitler Drinking Game
Which Hidden Role Game Is Right for You?
- The Resistance is more streamlined. It’s quicker, has fewer components, and no player elimination. It’s ideal for groups who want pure logic and deduction.
- Secret Hitler brings in dramatic flair, randomization, and executive powers that shift the game’s rhythm.
- Choose The Resistance for tight, logical deduction. Choose Secret Hitler for deception, drama, and a bit of role-playing flair.
Recommended Alcohol Types per Role
- Liberal: Light beers. They’ll drink a lot—let’s keep it gentle.
- Fascist: Tequila or whiskey. You’re the wild card.
- Hitler: Vodka. Cold, dangerous, and probably pretending to be your friend.
House Rules to Pace the Drinking
- Cap at 2 drinks per round per player.
- One “water round” every three rounds.
- A “sobriety card” that someone can play once per game to skip drinking.
Design Your Own Custom Ruleset
Get creative with your group’s quirks:
- Add nicknames and drink penalties for breaking character.
- Use a roulette wheel to assign punishments.
- Give out “immunity tokens” for clever plays or funny speeches.
Is Secret Hitler Drinking Game Worth Playing?
Yes—Secret Hitler is already a masterclass in social deception. Add alcohol and it becomes a boozy political nightmare in the best possible way. Whether you’re sipping or shooting, the drinking version of this game amps up the fun, encourages silliness, and gives new meaning to the term “party politics.” Now grab your deck, pour some drinks, and let democracy fall apart in style.