Rummy
Cards at Diwali are a tradition in a lot of families. Hangtime Rummy has proper Indian 13-card rules, keeps each hand private on its own phone, and checks every declaration, so nobody has to referee. It's played for points, never money.
Diwali party games for the whole family
The sweets are out, the diyas are lit, and everyone's in one room for once. Put a game on the TV and let every cousin, auntie and grandparent play from the phone already in their hand. Nothing to install, and three of the games are free.
The games we'd pick
Here's what we'd put on at a Diwali get-together, and why.
Trivia Board
Jeopardy-style trivia on the TV with 580+ clues across 23 categories, including Bollywood Gaane. The grandparents take the old songs, the kids take the cartoons. Free, and best when everyone is in the room.
Doodler
Draw on your phone while everyone guesses. Kid mode swaps typing for big multiple-choice guesses, so the little ones can play alongside the adults. Free.
Bowl Game
For the big gathering after dinner: two teams, up to 16 players, and one bowl of names that everyone writes. Describe it, one word, then act it out. Family-name slips are encouraged.
Hang Five
A race to crack the same five-letter word. Quiet, quick and free, and it works over a video call for the family who couldn't fly in this year.
How to set it up on the night
- Open hangtime.games/host on the TV, laptop or projector and pick a game. A four-letter room code appears.
- Everyone goes to hangtime.games/play on their phone and types the code and a name. No app, no account.
- Pick your settings on the big screen and press Start. When it ends, hit Play again or switch games.
Family in other cities?
Most Hangtime games have a remote mode that runs entirely on phones. Start the game from a phone at hangtime.games/play, share the code on the family group, and everyone plays over a video call. If you have a TV at your end, open hangtime.games/host and type the same code under “Already started a game on a phone?” so the room can watch too.
Questions
Can we play Indian Rummy for Diwali without money?
Yes. Hangtime Rummy is Indian 13-card (or American) Rummy played for points with family and friends. There's no betting and no cash games.
Can relatives in other cities or countries play with us?
Yes. Every game except Trivia Board has a remote mode that runs on phones, so family can join from anywhere over a video call. Start it at hangtime.games/play under “Can't all be in one room?” and share the code.
Are there games the kids can play?
Yes. Doodler has a kid mode with multiple-choice guesses instead of typing, and Trivia Board and Hang Five are family-friendly. Best Answer Wins uses its Family deck unless the host picks After Dark.
Is there Bollywood trivia?
Yes. Trivia Board has 580+ clues across 23 categories, from Geography to Bollywood Gaane, plus live categories written fresh each day.
How much does it cost?
Trivia Board, Doodler and Hang Five are free, with full rooms and no account. Who's Lying?, Best Answer Wins, Rummy and Bowl Game are in the Launch Pack, a one-time $5 (founder price, $10 later). Only the host buys it; players always join free.
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