How to Play What Are the Odds

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Updated: November 29, 2019

Explore this Article Giving the Dare Finishing the Game Article Summary Questions & Answers Related Articles References

What Are the Odds, or Odds Are, is a simple game where you dare another player to do a ridiculous task. One player asks another how likely they are to complete a dare, and then the second player picks a number between 2 and 100 as a limit for a number range. Both players then choose a number within the range. If you say the same number, the person who was dared must follow through with it! Have a fun night playing the game with friends, but don't do anything that will get you hurt.

Part 1
Giving the Dare

  1. 1
    Choose a fun, harmless dare. If you're giving the dare, pick something that will make your friends laugh and that someone wouldn't normally do. Choose dares that are easy to complete at first if you're playing with a new group of people. If you've played with your friends before, you can choose any difficulty dare.[1]
    • Don't pick a dare that's life-threatening or illegal to complete. Play the game to have fun, not to get into trouble.

    Easy Dares: Switching shirts with a friend, hugging a stranger, asking a random person if they have a banana

    Medium Dares: Drawing a tattoo on them with a pen for the rest of the night, licking a table, singing a song in a crowded area

    Hard Dares: Getting a permanent tattoo, buying the next flight out of town, eating out of the trash

  2. 2
    Pick a friend to complete the dare. Ask someone if they want to complete a dare that you've selected. If you're with a large group of friends, only pick 1 of them to play the game. Don't dare someone who hasn't agreed to play the game.[2]
    • If you choose to play and you lose, you must do the dare! Choose carefully before deciding to play.
  3. 3
    Ask your friend what the odds are they will complete the dare. Use the question format, “What are the odds that you will…” followed by the dare. The person you're asking then responds with any number between 2 and 100. This sets the upper limit for a range of numbers for the rest of the game.[3]
    • For example, if you ask, “What are the odds that you will eat a spoonful of hot sauce?” and your friend responds, “1 in 20,” then they must select a number between that range later on.
  4. 4
    Count down from 3 and state a number in the given range at the same time. Look the other player directly in the eyes and both start your countdown. After you say 1, state a number at the same time between the range you set. Make sure you both say the number at the same time so neither of you cheats.
    • For instance, if the range is 1 in 20, you both count down, “3...2...1…” and then say a number between 1 and 20.

Part 2
Finishing the Game

  1. 1
    Do the dare if you say the same number as the person who dared you. The dare only has to be done if you and the other player say the same number. If you were the person doing the dare, complete it as soon as you can. If you're the person who gave the dare, sit back and enjoy watching your friend do it![4]
    • If the dare involved something you cannot complete immediately, do it at the soonest possible time. For example, if the dare was to shave down to a mustache, you can complete it once you're at home.
    • If you don't want to do the dare in hindsight, you can always choose to forfeit the round.

    Tip: Arrange the time frame of the dare (i.e., the amount of time the loser has to complete the dare) before you count down.

  2. 2
    Pay if you gave the dare and it costs money. Always offer your friend money to complete the dare when they need to buy something to complete it. Be polite since you were the one that dared them to do it in the first place.[5]
    • For example, if you dare the person to get a permanent tattoo, give them the money to get it if they lose.
  3. 3
    Let the person you dared choose the next dare. Take turns picking the dares for one another. If you're playing with more than 2 players, make sure everyone has a chance to accept a dare. As the game goes on, increase the difficulty of the dare to raise the stakes.[6]
    • Always choose a different dare from one that was already said. This way, you don't run into repeats.

Community Q&A

Add New Question
  • Question
    What number do I have to go up to?
    Community Answer
    This should be agreed upon with the other players. Start with a limit of 1 to 100, but you can also agree to go as high as you want.
  • Question
    What if the person does not do the dare? What is the punishment?
    Community Answer
    Just make up whatever punishment you want. You could say they are out of the game, or you could find some creative way to humiliate them!
  • Question
    How does the person given the dare win?
    Community Answer
    The person given the dare wins the round by doing the dare, then daring another person to do something.
  • Question
    When does the person being dared have to do the dare?
    Community Answer
    Immediately after losing.
  • Question
    What difficulty level would be asking someone out on a date be when playing the odds?
    Community Answer
    It depends on who the date is and who the person doing the dare is. If the date is someone the person doing the dare likes, the difficulty is easy. If the date is someone the person doing the dare doesn't like, the difficulty is hard. Difficulty can vary if the person doing the dare has anxiety.
  • Question
    I can't connect to the game: 'What are the Odds?" What do I do?
    Community Answer
    What are the Odds is a game you play with friends, like Truth or Dare. It is not an internet game.
Ask a Question
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    • Don't choose dares that are illegal or life-threatening.

    Article SummaryX

    To play What Are the Odds, start by coming up with a fun, harmless dare, like switching shirts with a friend or asking a stranger for their number. Then, pick a friend to complete the dare and ask them what the odds are that they'll do it. Have your friend pick a number 10 through 100. For example, they might say "The odds of me doing that are 1 in 20." Next, count down from 3 and say a number within that range at the same time as your friend. If you both say the same number, they have to do the dare! To learn what to do if you don't say the same number as your friend, scroll down!

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    Article Info



    Categories: Featured Articles | Games of Chance

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