Wizard in the dark
Item needed:
open
Min players:
6
Max players:
15
Required age:
12
Average cost:
$1
Game duration(Mins):
30 - 45
Make a room be able to go from pitch black to full light with the flick of a switch, and I’m serious pitch black. Cover up emergency lights and exit signs, unless it’s illegal in your area. Shuffle and pass out a deck of cards. Make sure that there is only one Ace and one King in the stack. The student who draws the Ace is the wizard, and the student who draws the King is the police officer. When everyone has drawn cards, turn off the lights. The job of the wizard is to walk around amongst the students and put people to sleep by tapping both of their shoulders.
Once a player is asleep, they must fall to the ground. If a player “runs into” a sleeping person they yell out “SLEEPER IN THE DARK.” At this time the lights need to be turned on. If the person sleeping was the police officer, the game ends. Everyone should guess who the wizard is, and if the police officer chooses to reveal him/herself they can make one person show their card. They do not have to reveal their identity. If the guess is correct, the game is over. If not, the lights turn back off. The police officer only gets one chance per round. This repeats until all people are asleep, the officer is put to sleep, or the wizard is identified. When this is over, take up the cards, shuffle, and play again. Evidently there is no way to win. The game is incredible fun, and students usually end up playing for hours.
Objective
In “Wizard in the Dark,” players aim to identify the wizard who secretly puts others to sleep while avoiding detection by the police officer.
Setup
Room Preparation
- Select a room you can completely darken with a light switch.
- Cover all emergency lights and exit signs, complying with local safety regulations.
Deck of Cards
- Prepare a deck containing one Ace and one King, ensuring enough cards for all players.
- Shuffle the deck.
Player Assignment
- Distribute the cards to the players.
- The player who draws the Ace becomes the wizard, and the player who draws the King becomes the police officer.
- All other players are citizens.
How to Play
Initial Setup
- Shuffle the deck of cards.
- Have each player draw one card and keep it secret.
- Turn off the lights after everyone has their card.
Game Start
- The wizard quietly moves around the room, putting players to sleep by tapping both of their shoulders.
- Players who get tapped must immediately lie down silently.
Detecting Sleepers
- If a player finds a sleeper, they must shout, “SLEEPER IN THE DARK.”
- Then, turn on the lights.
Identifying the Wizard
- Players then guess who the wizard is.
- The police officer can choose to reveal their identity to force one player to show their card, but only once per round.
- If the guess is correct, the round ends. If not, turn off the lights again and continue the game.
Winning Conditions
- The game ends when:
- All players are asleep.
- The police officer is put to sleep.
- The wizard is correctly identified.
New Round
- Gather all the cards, shuffle them, and redistribute.
- Repeat the game following the same rules.
Rules
- Players must always keep their cards hidden.
- The wizard should move quietly to avoid detection.
- The police officer can choose to stay anonymous to strategically guess the wizard.
- Players must obey the command to sleep when the wizard taps them.
- Everyone must play honestly for the game to be enjoyable and fair.
Safety Precautions
- Make sure the play area is clear of obstacles to prevent injuries in the dark.
- Play in a controlled environment where players can safely fall to the ground without getting hurt.
Conclusion
Enjoy the thrill of uncovering the wizard among you!