Complete Guide

How to Play
Have You Ever

Simple rules. Endless stories. Here's everything you need to run the perfect Have You Ever session - in person, online, or anywhere in between.

1,000+
questions in library
21
categories to choose from
4
ways to play
0
downloads needed

The Core Rules

Learning the rules takes less time than explaining your first answer. Here's all you need:

1

Pick a Category

Choose a theme that fits your group. New to the game? The Funny category is the perfect starting point. Browse all 21 categories to find your vibe.

2

Read the Question Aloud

One player reads the "Have you everโ€ฆ" prompt out loud. In multiplayer mode everyone sees it on their own screen simultaneously.

3

Everyone Answers

Each person says "Have" or "Never." Raise a hand, say it aloud, or tap in a multiplayer room - the format is completely up to you.

4

Share the Story

The real magic: anyone who said "Have" tells their story. This is where a quick game becomes a 2-hour conversation. The Deep & Meaningful category is built specifically for this.

5

Next Question

Tap or click to advance. There's no fixed end - keep going as long as you like. Learn about session lengths.

๐Ÿ’ก

Unsure where to start? Try the Group Decider tool - answer 3 quick questions and we'll match you to the right category instantly.

4 Ways to Play

have.you adapts to your situation. Here's how the four main modes compare:

Mode Best For Try
โšก Quick Game First-timers, spontaneous sessions Play
๐ŸŽฒ Random Mode When you can't choose a category Play
โœ๏ธ Custom Pack Events, themed parties, team days Play
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Multiplayer Remote friends, big in-person groups Play

Pick the Right Category

The category sets the entire tone of your session. Match it to your group and occasion:

Explore all questions by category before you play, or let the Group Decider choose for you.

5 Fun Variations

The basic rules are just the start. These variants keep experienced players engaged:

1

๐Ÿบ Drinking Game

Anyone who answers "Have" takes a sip. The classic party version. Always play responsibly.

2

๐Ÿ“– Storytelling Mode

Anyone who says "Have" must share the full story. The Deep & Meaningful category was made for this.

3

๐Ÿ† Scoring Mode

Tally 1 point per "Have." Most points wins. Ties broken by who told the best story.

4

๐ŸŽจ Category Mixer

Blend 2โ€“3 categories into a single session for maximum variety. Use the Category Mixer tool.

5

โœ๏ธ Custom Questions

Write your own prompts tailored to your group - inside jokes, shared memories, event themes. Build a Custom Pack.

Tips for the Best Session

Small adjustments make a big difference:

๐Ÿค

Set ground rules upfront

Tell everyone that passing is always fine, no explanation needed. Safety makes people share more, not less.

๐Ÿ“ฑ

One device is enough

Pass the phone so one person reads aloud. Or use multiplayer rooms for a digital reveal on everyone's device.

๐Ÿ’ฌ

Chase the story

The Have/Never answer is just the opener. The story behind it is the whole point - ask follow-ups.

๐Ÿ”„

Switch category mid-session

If energy dips, swap category. Going from Funny to Deep is a great natural gear-change.

โค๏ธ

Save questions you love

Logged-in users can heart questions mid-game and revisit them from the Favorites dashboard.

๐Ÿข

Match category to context

At work? Use Funny, Icebreaker, or Team & Work. Keep Party and Couples for social settings.

Playing on have.you - Quick Platform Guide

1 Solo or pass-the-phone

Visit the play page, pick from 21 categories, and start. Pass the phone so each person reads the next question aloud.

2 Online with friends

Create a multiplayer room and share the 6-character code. Everyone joins on their own device, answers together, sees results in real time. Up to 20 players.

3 Custom packs for events

Build a custom pack from our question library or your own prompts. Great for themed events, office days, or couples nights. Requires a free account.

4 Tools & generators

Spin the Question Wheel, generate icebreakers, or mix categories with the Category Mixer. See all 10 free tools.