8 Virtual Happy Hour Games to Play (Because That’s What We Do Now)

1. Jackbox Games

This Chicago-based company has a broad range of online games available including You Don't Know Jack, Quiplash, Fibbage and Trivia Murder Party and they just released a handy how-to guide for playing remotely. Fun times.

2. Psych!

Like Balderdash but played remotely using an app. Here's how it works: Pick from a number of categories (like Movie Bluff or Animals) and make up fake answers to real trivia questions and then try to guess which one is correct. The aim of the game? Trick your group into choosing your made-up response. You'll get points for picking the right answer and for "psyching" your friends into guessing your wrong one. Get it on the App Store or on Google Play. (You can play this one without connecting via video if you want but it's pretty fun to see each other's faces while playing.)

3. 20 Questions

The classic road trip game goes online. To play, one friend thinks of a person, place or thing. Then everyone takes turns to ask the friend a yes or no question to see if they can figure out who or what they're thinking of. But here's the catch: You have to guess in 20 questions or less.

4. Houseparty

This video-chatting app has been around for years but has been gaining steam lately during these social distancing times. To play, simply download it from the App Store or Google Play and add your friends to the app (you can send them an invite or allow the app to access your contacts). Then choose from a selection of games to play with your crew including Pictionary-esque Quick Draw and the Ellen DeGeneres-inspired Heads Up. Houseparty allows up to eight people per call.

5. Two Truths and a Lie

A fun way to discover wild and funny stories about your friends. To play, the person whose turn it is comes up with two truthful statements and one lie, and sees if the group can guess which one is false. You may want to keep it PG if you're playing with colleagues (or not).

6. Monopoly

There's nothing wrong with a classic. Download the app from the App Store or on Google Play and play against your family and friends to see who ends up with the coveted Park Place real estate. Even better? There's no opportunity for your brother to cheat since the banker is your phone or tablet.

7. Cards Against Humanity

If everyone in your group has this raunchy card game, you can all play together on a video service like Zoom. Here's how: One player holds up the prompt card and everyone else picks an answer card from their hand. They then hold it up to the camera for the judge to pick their favorite. Sure, you lose the anonymity factor from the OG game but these are difficult times. Trust us, it'll still be funny.

8. Words with Friends

It's 2012 all over again. Apps like Words with Friends or Draw Something are still kicking around and can offer some much-needed distraction at the moment. Play remotely with your friends or log onto a video service so you can play together (from a safe distance, of course).