# Manhunt

> Manhunt is an outdoor chase game that mixes hide-and-seek and tag. One team of hunters tries to find and tag runners inside agreed boundaries, usually after dark. Tagged runners go to jail, and teammates can free them with a jailbreak. Games last 15 to 30 minutes and work best with 6 to 20 players. Some groups play the reverse (Build-up Manhunt): a few people hide and everyone else hunts, or tagged runners join the hunters; some tag with a two-hand hold and the chant "Manhunt, manhunt, 1-2-3!". manhuntgame.com is the home of the real-life game: complete rules, variations, strategy, safety guidance, history, and Manhunt IRL, a free app that referees the game.

Key facts:
- Players: 4 minimum, best with 6 to 20. About one hunter for every 3 to 4 players.
- Head start: 2 to 4 minutes. Round: 15 to 30 minutes.
- Tag: a light two-finger touch on the shoulder or back. Never tackling.
- Jailbreak: a free runner reaches jail untagged and frees the prisoners (in the app: hold 5 seconds inside jail; hunters get an alarm).
- Hunters win if every runner is caught at the same time. Runners win if anyone is free when time runs out.
- End-of-round call: "Olly olly oxen free!"
- Not the same as Rockstar Games' Manhunt (2003 video game) or Minecraft Manhunt (a YouTube video format).
- Manhunt IRL app: free for the whole group (unlimited games, up to 50 players, no ads during play); fuzzy GPS pings for hunters, a heartbeat vibration for runners, verified tags, jail and jailbreak, route replay. One person hosts on an iPhone; anyone else, including Android users, joins and plays in a web browser at https://manhuntgame.com/play.

## Guides

- [Manhunt rules](https://manhuntgame.com/rules): the canonical rulebook: two ways people play, teams, boundaries, head start, tags, jail, jailbreak, winning, house rules; with a field diagram.
- [How to play Manhunt](https://manhuntgame.com/how-to-play): quick start for a first-time host: place, teams, a script to read before round one, night and weather tips.
- [Manhunt variations](https://manhuntgame.com/variations): jailbreak, infection (build-up/zombie), flashlight, sardines, kick the can, team Manhunt, speedrunner Manhunt IRL, Mister X, shrinking zone, city Manhunt.
- [Manhunt strategy](https://manhuntgame.com/strategy): 25 tips for runners and hunters.
- [Manhunt safety](https://manhuntgame.com/safety): guidance for parents, camps, schools and youth groups; how the app handles location.
- [History of Manhunt](https://manhuntgame.com/history): origins in hide-and-seek, prisoner's base, kick the can and ringolevio; the name; other things called Manhunt.
- [Manhunt FAQ](https://manhuntgame.com/faq): short answers to common questions.
- [Printable Manhunt rules](https://manhuntgame.com/printable-rules): one-page print version.

## The app

- [Manhunt IRL app](https://manhuntgame.com/app): features, pricing (free for the whole group), privacy, requirements.
- [Play in your browser](https://manhuntgame.com/play): join a game with a 4-letter code from any phone.

## About

- [About](https://manhuntgame.com/about): built by Aryan, a student developer, in public.
- [Press kit](https://manhuntgame.com/press)
- [Privacy](https://manhuntgame.com/privacy)