THE COMPLETE GUIDE
How to play Square Riot.
Have a link? You can be playing in under a minute. Hosting the event? Here's everything you need to know.
Joining is the easy part.
- Open your invite. Tap the game link someone sent you, or scan the QR code on the host's screen or poster.
- Pick a display name and recovery phrase. You don't need to create an account. Keep the phrase somewhere safe in case you change devices or lose your browser session.
- Get your card. For number or random-topic bingo, you'll receive a card. For prediction bingo, first wait for the host to lock the list, then choose which predictions you want on your card.
- Mark squares when they happen. Tap a square to mark or unmark it. Your progress is saved, and the game checks the host's winning rules. If you have multiple cards, open one and choose Full screen; swipe left or right to see your other cards. Arrows work on desktop.
- Watch the score. The shared game page shows overall progress and who has bingo. Nobody else sees your exact card except the host and site administrators.
Hosting a game from start to finish.
- Create an account and start a game. Give it a title and choose Number, Topic, or Prediction Bingo.
- Choose your rules. Set 3×3, 4×4 or 5×5 cards, allow one or more cards per player, and choose how to win: line, corners, blackout or a number of squares.
- Build the topic pool. For topic bingo, add your possible squares. For predictions, invite participants to submit ideas while the game lobby is open, and approve the ones you want to keep.
- Choose a visual theme. Each game has its own look—try a brewery theme for trivia night or a stadium theme for the big game. Preview all the card styles before deciding.
- Share the invitation. Send the link in a group chat, open a native SMS invitation on your phone, or display/print the QR poster for in-person events.
- Start play. When everyone is ready, start the game from your host control room. For prediction mode, lock the topic pool first so participants can choose their predictions.
- Manage the event. See each card's status, call numbers for traditional bingo, moderate suggestions and chat, and announce updates on the game page or through opted-in notifications.
- Finish and recap. End the game when you're ready. Participants who opted into a post-game card reveal can share their boards.
PICK THE RIGHT RULES
Understanding the three modes
Traditional bingo with a digital card.
The host calls numbers from the familiar B-I-N-G-O columns (1–75 for a 5×5 game). Everyone marks their own matching numbers. A host can choose the win pattern and call numbers from the control room.
Best for: community bingo, brewery nights, fundraisers, and any crowd that wants recognizable rules.
A bingo card made from moments.
The host writes a list of things people might hear or see. A 5×5 card with a free center uses 24 topic squares. In Random Pool mode, the card draws from a larger list; in Same Topics, Shuffled mode, everyone receives the same set arranged differently.
Best for: Thanksgiving dinner, office meetings, weddings, holiday movies, conferences, or inside jokes.
Pick the moments you think will happen.
The host and players can suggest possible outcomes. The host approves and then locks the list. Each player chooses enough predictions to fill a card; Square Riot randomly arranges those selections on that player's board. Once the event starts, players mark predictions that came true.
Best for: Super Bowl parties, awards shows, reality TV, sports watch parties, and annual events.
Bar Play: your whole room joins.
Hosting at a brewery, taproom, watch party or conference? Turn on Bar Play when creating the game. Square Riot gives you a large, high-contrast QR poster you can put on a screen or print.
Guests scan, choose a display name, and play on their phones. The host sees group statistics and can privately inspect individual cards, while players see only the shared progress permitted by the game's privacy settings. No physical cards or separate app download required.
Tip: You can install Square Riot as a PWA for a home-screen icon and optional push alerts. Playing and saving marks still requires a connection; the offline page does not replace live game access.
GOOD TO KNOW
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to create an account?
No. If you're joining a game as a guest, you only need the invitation link, a display name and a recovery phrase. Creating an account lets you keep multiple games together and host your own.
What happens if I lose my phone or close the tab?
Your game is saved on the server. Return to the invitation link and enter the display name and recovery phrase you chose when joining. Registered players can sign back in with their account.
Can the host see what I've marked?
Yes. Hosts and site administrators can inspect individual cards and marks to manage the game. Other players cannot view your exact board. You can choose whether your name and progress appear on the public leaderboard.
Who decides whether a topic happened?
Each player marks their own card. The app detects when a card matches the winning pattern, but it does not independently verify real-world events. Hosts can inspect cards when needed.
Can I play two cards in the same game?
Only if the host has allowed multiple cards. The limit is displayed on the game page.
Can I use the same prediction card in my family and office pools?
Yes, when the games are compatible. Your square arrangement stays the same, while your marks and wins are separate. A private card token is used to reuse your board.
Can players suggest new squares?
Yes. For topic and prediction games, participants can submit ideas while the lobby is open. The host decides which suggestions to approve. Prediction participants make their final picks after the list is locked.
Can I see all my cards in full screen?
Yes. Open any of your cards, press Full screen and swipe left or right on your phone. Previous/next buttons and keyboard arrows are available too. Each card saves its own marks as you play; you can exit without losing progress.
Do I need to install an app?
No. Square Riot runs in your browser. You can optionally install it on your phone's Home Screen as a Progressive Web App (PWA). Live games require internet access.
How do invitations and notifications work?
The host can share a link, QR code, or open their phone's native text composer. Account verification and password resets arrive by email through Resend. Optional game email requires opt-in, and optional browser push is delivered by OneSignal.
What happens to old games?
Finished and abandoned games are scheduled for deletion after a site-configured retention period (180 days by default). Boards in use by other games are not removed just because one pool expires.
READY TO GIVE IT A GO?
Start with one game.
Pick a topic and invite the people who'll make it interesting.