If you’ve ever watched contestants whisper accusations on The Traitors and wondered what it would take to recreate that chaos around your own table, you’re not alone — the official board game from Goliath Games has been filling that gap since 2021. It strips the TV show down to its core mechanic: a small group of players with hidden allegiances, gold to protect, and a growing list of suspects. The question is whether the game captures the tension of the original or falls flat on its own rules.
Players: 3-8 · Age: 13+ · Publisher: Goliath Games · Play Time: 45-60 minutes
Quick snapshot
- Game spans 4 rounds, each with 4 phases: Mission, Banishment, Armoury, and Murder (Vivid Toys and Games)
- Players start with 1 gold bar and 3 gold pieces on their chest sections of the board (Vivid Toys and Games)
- 6 adventure modules provide distinct Traitor role cards for variety (Vivid Toys and Games)
- Exact replay count — no published durability data on how many plays the components withstand
- Online or digital version availability — Goliath has not announced a virtual adaptation
- First retail mentions appeared in May 2021 on Emily Reviews (Emily Reviews)
- Rules guides and YouTube tutorials proliferated through 2022–2023 (Emily Reviews)
- Zatu Games published a dedicated review in 2024 (Zatu Games)
- Goliath has released other social and party games but has not announced expansions specifically for The Traitors
- Physical components are robust; no reported component degradation issues in community discussions
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Players | 3-8 (retail packaging states 4-6, but actual rules support 3-8) |
| Age Rating | 13+ (officially listed as 13+; some retailers show 12+) |
| Play Time | 45-60 minutes |
| Rounds | 4 rounds |
| Phases per Round | 4 (Mission, Banishment, Armoury, Murder) |
| Publisher | Goliath Games |
| Type | Social deduction |
| Components | Round table board, 32 mission cards, 11 role cards, blindfolds, voting sheets, gold bars and pieces |
Is the Traitors board game any good?
The game’s appeal rests on whether it can transfer the TV show’s suspicion-soaked atmosphere to a living room. Reviewers have generally found that it does — with caveats. The core loop of completing missions, voting on suspects, and avoiding secret murder creates genuine tension even with a small group.
“The 2 players who have the most gold in their treasure chest after 4 rounds will compete in the End Game, the final test of treachery.”
— Vivid Toys and Games, Rules Guide Author (Vivid Toys and Games)
Player reviews
Zatu Games (a specialist UK board game retailer) praised the End Game mechanic where the two leading players each write either “Faithful” or “Traitor” on a card — a moment that transforms the entire game into a high-stakes bluffing showdown. The outlet noted that the mechanic forces even players who coasted through earlier rounds to commit to a final act of deception or honesty.
Emily Reviews (a product testing publication covering games since 2021) flagged one significant social risk: the game can genuinely strain friendships. The publication observed that the combination of blindfolded secret actions, voting pressure, and money on the line brings out confrontational dynamics that some groups find uncomfortable. This is less a design flaw and more a feature of the social deduction genre — but it’s worth knowing before you introduce it to a mixed group.
“Game is suitable for players ages 13 and up. This is a board game for up to 8 players (and no fewer than 3).”
— Emily Reviews, Reviewer (Emily Reviews)
The game delivers authentic suspicion and betrayal mechanics — but the intensity that makes it compelling also makes it a poor fit for groups who prefer cooperative play or have unresolved interpersonal tension.
Pros and cons
Upsides
- Mechanically faithful to the TV show’s structure — missions, banishments, murder, and a final bluff round
- Blindfolds create genuine mystery; no meta-reading of expressions during key phases
- 6 adventure modules add variety without requiring separate purchases
- Playable in 45-60 minutes — shorter than a typical TV episode
- Components are durable and thematic (gold bars, central dagger, round table board)
Downsides
- 3-4 players produces a very short game with limited suspicion dynamics; 6-8 is the sweet spot
- Pen and paper are not included despite being required for voting and gold tracking
- Age 13+ rating means younger players may struggle with the deception mechanics
- Limited retail availability outside major UK chains and Amazon
- No official online or app version for remote play
How does the board game Traitors work?
The game progresses through four rounds, and each round contains four distinct phases that determine who earns gold, who faces elimination, and who commits the next murder. Understanding the phase order is essential — missing a step breaks the game’s logic.
Setup
- Assemble the round table board at the centre of the play area with the central dagger in place.
- Place gold bars and pieces at the bank in the centre of the table.
- Each player selects one of the six chest sections around the board and receives 1 gold bar plus 3 gold pieces, which they place on their chest.
- Shuffle the role cards (one Traitor card per adventure module, with the rest being Faithful), then deal one card face-down to each player.
- Choose and read aloud the selected adventure module, which defines the Traitor’s specific assignment for the mission.
- Distribute blindfolds to all players and place voting sheets and pens at each seat.
The adventure module determines the Traitor’s secret assignment each round — without completing it, the Traitor cannot legally commit murder. This creates the central puzzle: Faithful players have no idea what task the Traitor must secretly accomplish.
Gameplay steps
The phase sequence drives every decision in the game, from gold accumulation to elimination tactics.
| Phase | What happens | Key rule |
|---|---|---|
| Mission | All players put on blindfolds. The Traitor secretly completes the adventure assignment. If the Traitor doesn’t complete the assignment, they cannot commit murder this round. | The assignment varies by adventure module — some are action-based, others require specific choices. |
| Banishment | Players remove blindfolds and vote on who they suspect. Voting is done secretly on sheets. The most voted player returns 2 gold to the bank but remains in the game. Ties result in both tied players returning 1 gold each. | A banished player cannot talk or vote during the next Banishment phase — but they still participate in Mission and Murder. |
| Armoury | Players draw reward cards from the top of the deck. Rewards include: Shield (blocks one murder attempt silently), Dagger (grants 2 extra gold if the holder is a Faithful who banishes the Traitor), or gold pieces. | The Shield is discarded after use — its use is never revealed to other players. |
| Murder | All players put on blindfolds again. The Traitor points the dagger at their chosen target. If the target has no Shield, they return 2 gold to the bank and lose their vote in the next Banishment. The Traitor earns 2 gold for a successful murder. | If the Traitor’s mission assignment was not completed, they may only murder themselves or choose no murder. |
Winning conditions
After four rounds, the two players with the most gold in their chests advance to the End Game. Both players privately write either “Faithful” or “Traitor” on a card and reveal simultaneously:
- Both Faithful: They split the prize pot equally.
- One Traitor: The Traitor wins the entire prize pot.
- Both Traitor: The third-place gold holder wins the prize pot instead.
In addition, throughout the game, Faithful players who correctly identify and banish the Traitor earn 2 gold each per round. A Faithful player who holds the Dagger and uses it on a banished Traitor earns an additional 2 gold.
What age group is the traitors board game for?
The official age rating is 13 and up according to both Amazon and the game’s retail packaging, though some retailers list it as 12+. The higher figure reflects the game’s reliance on sustained deception rather than any graphic content.
Official rating
Goliath Games lists the minimum age as 13+ across its primary retail listings. Emily Reviews (which covers family-friendly games) noted in their May 2021 coverage that the game is suitable for players aged 13 and above, with the caveat that the deception mechanics require a level of social maturity that younger players may lack.
Suitability factors
The game contains no violence, profanity, or mature themes beyond strategic lying. What makes it 13+ rather than family-appropriate is the social pressure dynamics:
- Voting mechanics create public accusation pressure that some teenagers find uncomfortable
- The blindfold mechanic requires trust and comfort with close physical interaction (placing a dagger near another player)
- Money and competition themes are abstract but present — younger players may struggle to grasp the gold economy
What this means: the game works for groups of teens and adults who enjoy competitive social games. It is not recommended for children under 12, and groups with strong preferences for cooperative play should look at alternatives like The Resistance or Deception: Murder in Hong Kong.
How many players for The Traitors Board Game?
The board supports a range from 3 to 8 players, though the retail box prominently features 4-6. The actual player count dramatically affects gameplay quality — and this is one of the most important details the box doesn’t explain clearly.
Player count
Three sources (Vivid Toys and Games, Emily Reviews, and multiple YouTube tutorials) confirm the game supports 3-8 players. However, the mechanics scale poorly at the lower end. With only three players, the game essentially becomes a 1-vs-2 scenario with minimal suspense — the Traitor has limited targets, and the Faithful duo has almost no one to suspect.
Best group size
Six to eight players is where the game truly shines — enough people to sustain suspicion across multiple rounds, multiple potential targets for murder, and enough gold in play to make every banishment feel consequential.
The reason 4-6 appears on the box is likely practical: the board itself has limited chest sections, and six adventures make sense for a group of that size. But mechanically, you lose little by pushing toward eight if your group is comfortable around the table.
The catch: the game requires physical presence and active participation throughout. Remote play is not supported, and there is no official digital version. For groups that meet regularly in person, this is not a barrier — but for geographically dispersed friend groups, it’s a significant limitation.
Is there an official Traitors board game?
Yes — Goliath Games produces the official licensed board game adaptation. It is not a fan-made clone or a card-only version. The game was first retail-listed in 2021 and is available through major UK retailers.
Publisher details
Goliath Games (based in the Netherlands with wide international distribution) publishes the official adaptation. The company’s portfolio includes other social deduction and party games like Fireball Island (2-4 players, age 7+) and Banana Blast (2-5 players, age 4+), positioning the publisher as a family and party game specialist. The Traitors sits at the older end of their range, reflecting its 13+ rating and deception-focused design.
Where to buy
The game is available at:
- Amazon UK and Amazon US — primary online availability
- Smyths Toys — physical retail presence across the UK and Ireland
- John Lewis — mid-market UK retailer with board game section
- Zatu Games — specialist board game retailer with review coverage
Price varies significantly between retailers, and third-party sellers on Amazon may charge premiums during high-demand periods. Checking Smyths or John Lewis before peak gifting seasons (November–December) tends to offer better value.
Goliath has not released any official expansions for The Traitors as of this writing. The six adventure modules included in the base game are the primary replayability mechanism — each adventure changes the Traitor’s mission assignment, altering the mission phase dynamics without adding new components.
Related reading: Call of Duty Modern Warfare Review
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The Traitors board game faithfully recreates the BBC series’ suspense through mechanics detailed in rules setup and play guide, ideal for groups of 3-8 players.
Frequently asked questions
How many times can you play Traitors board game?
Each adventure module is designed for replay across multiple sessions. With six distinct adventures and variable phase outcomes, the game offers substantial replayability within a single group. The components are durable enough for regular play, though no official lifespan data is published.
What is included in The Traitors board game?
The box includes: a round table game board with central dagger, 32 mission cards, 11 role cards, blindfolds, voting sheets, gold bars, gold pieces, and six adventure module booklets. Pen and paper are required but not included.
Is The Traitors board game replayable?
Yes. The six adventure modules change the Traitor’s assignment each round, creating different strategic pressures. Combined with the End Game bluff mechanic, each session plays out differently even with the same group. No expansion packs were available as of 2024.
Can you play The Traitors board game online?
No official online or app-based version exists. The game requires physical presence, blindfolds, and a central board — none of which translate to remote play without significant house rules.
Where to buy The Traitors Board Game in Ireland?
The game is available through Smyths Toys (which has physical stores across Ireland) and Amazon.ie for home delivery. John Lewis does not ship to Ireland.
Does The Traitors board game have expansions?
No official expansions had been released as of 2024. The base game includes six adventure modules, which serve as the replayability mechanism within the box.
What makes The Traitors board game different from similar games?
The blindfold mechanic is the primary differentiator. Unlike The Resistance (where players vote in the open) or Secret Hitler (where hidden roles act without blindfolds), The Traitors uses blindfolds during both Mission and Murder phases, preventing any physical tells. The End Game bluff — where the two leading players write Faithful or Traitor privately — is also distinctively high-stakes.
Thomas Whitmore is Politics & Public Affairs Editor at TheUKDaily.uk, covering Parliament, government policy, elections, public spending and political accountability.