Un imbroglione a New York
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- Arrives
- December 11, 2026
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The FroGames Review
Everyone draws. One person is faking it. Two rounds of markers and then you vote: who doesn't know what you're drawing? If you catch them, they win if they can guess the subject. If you guess wrong, they win with you.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT
Everyone draws the same subject. Except for one.
Jun Sasaki (designer and artist of Deep Sea Adventure and Insider) has created a party game for Oink Games that fits in a tiny box: dry-erase cards, markers, and instant group dynamics. Published in 2011, it has become a staple for large game nights.
The Question Master chooses a secret subject (e.g., "cat") and writes it on all the cards except one, which receives an X: the fake artist. Then everyone takes turns drawing one single stroke on a shared sheet. Two rounds. Then you vote on who the impostor is. If you catch them, they have one last chance: guessing what you were drawing. If they succeed, they win regardless.
What they say abroad
"It's the kind of game that gets everyone leaning over the table, squinting at lines."
It's the kind of game that gets everyone leaning over the table, squinting at lines.
— Shut Up & Sit Down
The tension builds stroke by stroke. In the end, everyone laughs, even the fake artist.
— FroGames
A Fake Artist Goes to New York
FrogScore · FroGames editorial rating · based on the rulebook, international reviews, and game sessionsWhat's in the box
Everything you need to accuse each other
Dry-erase cards
One per player. The Question Master writes the subject (or an X for the impostor) on them. Then distributes them face-down.
Erasable markers
For drawing on the shared sheet. Only one stroke per turn: no corrections, no lifting the tip.
Drawing sheets
The shared canvas. At the end of the second round, there are 10-20 strokes (5-10 players × 2 turns). What do they represent?
Category cards
They suggest themes (animals, vehicles, food). The Question Master chooses one and then a specific subject within that category.
Come si gioca
Video dimostrativo di gameplay.
🎲How to playThe rules in four steps▼
How to play
The flow of every round
Each round lasts 5-8 minutes: setup, two rounds of drawing, voting, and resolution.
They choose a category (e.g., "animals") and a specific subject (e.g., "penguin"). They write it on all cards except one, which gets an X. The cards are distributed face down.
In turns, each player draws a single continuous stroke on the shared sheet. The fake artist must pretend to know what to draw. The others try to complete the subject without making it too obvious.
Same order, one more stroke each. Now the drawing is more legible. The fake artist looks for clues in the others' lines. The others watch them to catch them in the act.
Everyone votes simultaneously by pointing to who they think is the fake artist. The person with the most votes is accused. If it's really the imposter, they get one last chance: to guess the subject. If they succeed, they win along with the Question Master. Otherwise, the real artists win.
⏱️Your first gameThe play-by-play chronicle▼
A game in five moments
What happens at the table
Not the rules. The experience.
The secret
The Question Master writes "elephant" on all cards except one: X. They distribute them. You look at your card. If it says "elephant," you know what to draw. If there's an X, you have to pretend you know.
First round of marks
In turn, everyone draws a single mark on the paper. You are the imposter: the others are drawing curves that could be legs, ears, or a trunk. You draw a vague line and hope it goes unnoticed.
Second round
The drawing takes shape. Someone finishes the trunk. Someone adds an eye. You add a line that could be anything. Everyone is watching you.
Voting
The Question Master counts to three. Everyone points a finger at someone. The count: two votes for you, three for Marco. Marco was innocent. You won. Or: five votes for you. You are caught. Now you have to guess the subject.
The last chance
You are the fake artist who got caught. You look at the drawing: broad curves, a long line, two small circles. You say "elephant." Silence. Then laughter: you were right. You win anyway. Or you say "dinosaur" and lose badly.
🐸Know this beforehandThree honest things, from friends▼
Know this beforehand
Three things to consider
Doesn't work well with 5
With only 5 players (4 real artists + 1 fake), the imposter is too exposed: a quarter of the strokes are theirs, it's easy to single them out. The game takes off from 6-7 players up, and is ideal with 8-10.
A minimum of shared skill is needed
If someone draws really poorly (incomprehensible strokes even when they know the subject), the game loses its edge: it becomes impossible to distinguish incompetence from bluffing. You don't need to know how to draw, but you do need a minimum of graphic intent.
No discussion while drawing
The rules forbid talking between strokes. This is intentional: the tension comes from the silence. But in noisy groups, this rule often breaks down immediately, and the game loses some of its charm. Make sure it's enforced.
🏆Winning and losingWhat the end rewards▼
How it ends
How to win and how to lose
Each round awards points. After N rounds (decided by the group), the person with the most points wins.
Victory
- Real artists: you catch the fake artist AND they don't guess the subject (1 point each)
- Fake artist: you are NOT caught (2 points for you + 1 to the Question Master)
- Fake artist caught: you guess the subject anyway (2 points for you + 1 to the Question Master)
Defeat
- Real artists: you accuse an innocent player (the fake artist + Question Master win)
- Fake artist: you are caught and guess the subject wrong (0 points)
- Question Master: you choose a subject that's too vague or too obvious and no one has fun (it's not in the rules, but you feel it)
It's a party game that works because it is short, takes a minute to explain, and generates memorable moments (that absurd stroke, that wrong vote). Perfect for starting or ending an evening with large groups.
💬Frequently asked questionsQuick answers before checking out▼
Frequently asked questions
FAQ about A Fake Artist Goes to New York
What mechanics does A Fake Artist Goes to New York use?
Hidden role (one of you is the imposter), social deduction (observing others' strokes to see who is faking), and bluffing (the fake artist must look confident without knowing what to draw). Drawing is not a mechanic: it is the game's language.
Does it work with casual players?
Yes, it's a perfect gateway game: rules in 90 seconds, no prior knowledge required. The only risk is with someone who has never picked up a marker or freezes in front of a blank sheet: in that case, the entry curve is steeper.
Can you play with fewer than 5?
No. The official minimum is 5 (4 artists + 1 fake), but as mentioned in the "Know this beforehand" section, with 5 players the fake artist is too exposed. The game works really well from 7 upwards.
How long does a full game last?
One round (setup, two rounds of drawing, voting) lasts 5-8 minutes. A typical game is 3-5 rounds: so 20-30 minutes total. It's designed to be fast and repeatable.
Is it available in English?
Yes, this is the Italian edition by Ghenos Games. The rules and category cards are in Italian. The markers are universal, of course.
The people behind the game
Who invented it, who illustrated it, who publishes it — and what else they've done.
A Fake Artist Goes to New York is a party game of deduction and bluffing for 5-10 players, duration 20 minutes, ages 8+. Designed by Jun Sasaki (Deep Sea Adventure, Insider) and published by Oink Games, then localized by Ghenos Games in Italy. It uses hidden role and drawing mechanics: everyone draws the same subject except for one person, who fakes it. Two rounds of drawing, then vote for the imposter. If you catch them, they have one last chance: to guess what you were drawing. Ideal for large parties, an instant gateway game, with almost no learning curve. Available on FroGames.it.
Un imbroglione a New York
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