Overview

Der wahre Walter (The Real Walter) is a party game for 4-10 players designed by Urs Hostettler and published by Fata Morgana Spiele. Players take turns being the “Sphinx,” completing sentence prompts with personal answers. Other players try to guess which answers belong to the Sphinx. The game works best with people who know each other well, as deducing personality-based answers is the core mechanic.

Components

• 156 cards, each with 3 fill-in-the-blank sentences printed on both sides (part of each sentence is replaced by the word “WALTER”)
• Scoring tokens or paper and pencil for tracking points

Setup

1. Shuffle the sentence cards and place them in a draw pile.
2. Provide each player with paper and pencil for writing answers and tracking scores.
3. Determine who will be the first Sphinx.

Turn Structure

Each round proceeds as follows:

1. Sphinx Reads Sentences: The Sphinx draws a card and reads the three sentences aloud (each containing the word “WALTER” as a blank).
2. Everyone Writes Answers: The Sphinx and all other players write down their proposed completions for each sentence (numbered 1-3), trying to match what the Sphinx would say.
3. Sphinx Collects and Reads: The Sphinx collects all answer slips and reads them aloud in mixed order for each sentence, including their own answers.
4. Players Guess: Each player writes down which answer they believe is the Sphinx’s real answer for each sentence.
5. Reveal and Score: The Sphinx reveals their true answers. Points are awarded.

Actions

Being the Sphinx

• Read the three sentence prompts aloud.
• Write your honest personal completions.
• Collect all answers and read them in shuffled order without revealing which are yours.

Guessing (Other Players)

• Write completions that you think match the Sphinx’s personality.
• After hearing all answers read aloud, identify which answers are the Sphinx’s “wahre Walter” (true answers).

Scoring / Victory Conditions

• Guessers: Score 1 point for each of the Sphinx’s answers they correctly identify.
• Sphinx: Scores 1 point each time any player correctly identifies one of their answers (the Sphinx benefits from players knowing them well).
• The player with the most points after all players have been the Sphinx wins.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Sentence Format: Each sentence has the word “WALTER” replacing a key word or phrase, e.g., “If I had a dog, I’d call him ‘WALTER’.”
• Bluffing: Players writing answers try to mimic the Sphinx’s personality to create confusion, but the Sphinx writes honestly.
• Reading Order: The Sphinx must read all answers in random order to prevent players from identifying answers by position.
• Best With Friends: The game is explicitly designed for groups who know each other well; playing with strangers reduces the deductive element significantly.
• Double-Sided Cards: With sentences on both sides, the deck provides extensive replayability.

Player Reference

Round: Sphinx reads 3 sentences → Everyone writes answers → Sphinx reads all answers mixed → Players guess Sphinx’s answers → Score

Scoring: 1 point per correct guess; Sphinx scores 1 point per correct guess made about their answers

Win: Most points after all players have been Sphinx

Key: Knowing the Sphinx’s personality helps you guess – and helps the Sphinx score