Appointing a Secret Person

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Discreetly assign a secret role to one participant without disclosing their identity to the rest of the group.

Use it when: Use immediately before running a mystery, deduction, or social hidden-role game that requires one undisclosed actor.

Skip it when: Skip when all player roles are public, or when participants are uncomfortable closing eyes in the room.

Group arrangement: Single circle or seated plenary

Timing: Playmeo lists this as an under 5 minute setup routine. Five minutes provides sufficient time to explain the role, obtain consent, and verify assignment.

Materials and tools

• Slips of paper (optional alternative to physical tap, 1 per person)

Before participants arrive

1. Arrange chairs or standing space in a single outward- or inward-facing circle where the facilitator can walk behind everyone freely.

Say this to open

For our upcoming activity, exactly one of us needs to hold a secret role. In a moment, everyone will close their eyes or face away. I will walk around the room and assign the role discreetly. Keep your reaction completely neutral so no one knows who was selected.

How to run it

1. Explain role and selection rule 1 minutes

   State the secret role needed for the upcoming game. Explain that you will walk around the circle while everyone keeps eyes closed or faces the floor. Offer the opt-out rule: anyone who does not want the role can keep both hands raised or decline quietly when approached.

2. Signal eyes closed 1 minutes

   Instruct all participants to close their eyes or look down at the floor. Wait until everyone has their eyes closed or head lowered before moving.

3. Discreetly appoint the secret person 2 minutes

   Walk around the entire circle at an even, continuous pace so footstep sounds do not give away the location. Gently tap one participant on the shoulder, or drop a folded marked slip of paper into their open hand. Continue walking around the rest of the circle for several seconds after the selection so movement sounds remain ambiguous.

4. Confirm and transition 1 minutes

   Instruct everyone to open their eyes. Ask the appointed person to confirm internally without speaking or gesturing. Begin the primary game instructions immediately.

Debrief questions

• Did anyone hear or notice any tells during the selection process?
• How can we keep our body language neutral once an assignment is made?

Finished output: One participant secretly holds the designated role while the rest of the group remains unaware of their identity.

Remote

Direct message the chosen participant privately in chat while everyone looks directly at the camera, or send a pre-numbered direct message to one participant.

Hybrid

Send a direct digital message to the chosen participant, whether they are in the physical room on a mobile device or connected online, ensuring uniform delivery.

Access and participation choices

• Participants who do not wish to be touched can hold a hand open on their lap to receive a token or paper slip instead.
• Participants may opt out of receiving the secret role by raising a hand or notifying the facilitator beforehand.

If the session gets stuck

A participant reacts audibly or jumps when tapped on the shoulder.

Reassure the room neutrally and pause. If their identity is clearly exposed, void the selection, walk the circle again, and reassign.

The sound of facilitator footsteps indicates who was tapped.

Walk a full circuit around the circle, continuing to pace evenly around several participants after making the tap.

Terms used here

• Secret person: A participant discreetly chosen to hold a specific hidden role during a group deduction or mystery activity.