Mastering the Mischief: A Guide to the Best Family Cheaters Games In most family gatherings, cheating is the fastest way to get banned from future game nights. However, a new genre of "family cheater games" has flipped the script, making deception, rule-bending, and secret maneuvers the actual goal. Whether it's the official Monopoly: Cheaters Edition or the card-hiding chaos of Cheating Moth , these games provide a safe, hilarious outlet for your inner trickster. 1. Monopoly: Cheaters Edition This is the heavyweight champion of the genre. Unlike the classic version where you might sneak a $500 bill from the bank, this edition explicitly rewards you for it. The Hook: Five "Cheat" cards are active on the board at all times. These tasks might include stealing a title deed, shortchanging a fellow player on rent, or even escaping jail by secretly removing your handcuffs. The Reward: If you pull off the cheat and no one calls you out before the next player rolls, you earn a reward—like keeping stolen property or gaining extra cash from the bank. The Risk: If someone shouts "Cheater!" and catches you in the act, you’ll face penalties, which often involve wearing actual plastic handcuffs and paying a fine. Where to Buy: You can find this edition at retailers like HobbyTown or eBay. 2. Cheating Moth Go to product viewer dialog for this item. Monopoly Cheaters Edition
Game Overview Family Cheaters is a bluffing and deduction card game for 3–6 players, ages 8+. The core premise: each round, a "Sheriff" tries to catch "Cheaters" who are sneaking extra cards into their hand. It’s fast-paced (15–20 min per game), simple to learn, and designed to make lying fun and low-stakes.
What’s in the Box?
60 Cheater cards (numbered 1–12 in different suits) 6 player screens (to hide hands) 1 Sheriff badge Instructions family cheaters game
Quality : Cards are sturdy, screens are thin but functional. The art is cartoonish and family-friendly.
How to Play (Simplified)
Deal each player 3 cards face down. Appoint a Sheriff (rotates each round). The Cheat phase : All non-Sheriff players secretly draw 1–3 extra cards from the deck (they can lie about how many). The Challenge : The Sheriff accuses someone of cheating. That player reveals their hand. Mastering the Mischief: A Guide to the Best
If they have more than 6 cards → Caught → they lose the round. If they have 6 or fewer → Sheriff is wrong → Sheriff loses the round.
Score : Winner gets the Sheriff badge. First to win 3 rounds wins the game.
Note: Players can also "pass" the cheat attempt, bluff about drawing cards, or try to avoid suspicion. The Hook: Five "Cheat" cards are active on
Pros ✅
Hilarious for families : Kids love trying to trick parents, and parents enjoy dramatic accusations. Teaches subtle skills : Bluffing, risk assessment, reading body language. No elimination : Everyone stays involved each round. Short rounds : Easy to play multiple times or stop whenever. Portable : Small box, great for travel or restaurants.