How Do You Play MASH?

MASH is a simple paper-and-pencil fortune-telling game where you “predict” someone’s future by eliminating options through counting.

The letters in MASH stand for Mansion, Apartment, Shack, House, which decides what kind of home you’ll end up with. Then you add categories like who you’ll marry, your job, how many kids, and more. It’s half rules, half chaos, and 100% fueled by questionable life choices written in gel pen.

Here’s exactly how to play MASH, plus variations that make it even more fun.

What You Need to Play MASH

• Paper (or a notes app)
• A pen or pencil
• 2+ players (you can play solo, but it’s better with friends)

How to Set Up MASH

1. At the top of the page, write MASH in a column:
   • Mansion
   • Apartment
   • Shack
   • House
2. Pick the “future categories” you want to include. Common ones:
   • Spouse/Crush
   • Job
   • Car
   • City/Place to live
   • Number of kids
   • Pet
   • Salary (keep it silly)
   • Vacation spot
3. For each category, list options. A simple format is 4 options per category (but 3–6 works fine).

Example:

• Job: Teacher, TikTok star, Astronaut, Chef
• City: New York, Paris, Tokyo, “The Moon”

How to Play MASH Step by Step

1) Fill in the Options

Each player contributes options, or the person whose fortune is being told fills them in.

Tips:

• Mix realistic and ridiculous options.
• If someone refuses to choose, let the group pick for them.

2) Choose the “Magic Number” (Counting Number)

You need a number that controls how options get eliminated. There are a few classic ways:

• Spiral method (most common): Draw a spiral, and someone says “stop.” Count the loops to get your number.
• Age method: Use the player’s age.
• Random number method: Pick a number between 5 and 15.

Write the number down. Example: 8.

3) Start Counting and Crossing Off

Now you’ll count through the options repeatedly and cross off whichever option lands on your number.

How counting works:

• Start at the top of the list (usually Mansion) and count each option as one number.
• Continue counting through every option in order.
• When you hit your magic number, cross off that option.
• Start counting again from the next option.
• Repeat until there’s one option left in each category.

Important: When an option is crossed off, you skip it in future counting.

4) Read the “Future”

When only one option remains in each category, read the results as a story.

Example ending:
“You will live in a Shack, marry Taylor, work as an Astronaut, drive a Minivan, live in Tokyo, and have 3 kids.”

Example MASH Sheet (Copy This)

MASH:

• Mansion
• Apartment
• Shack
• House

Spouse:

• Alex
• Jordan
• Casey
• Sam

Job:

• Doctor
• Chef
• Actor
• Dog walker

Car:

• Sports car
• Minivan
• Bike
• Old truck

City:

• Miami
• London
• Seoul
• Small town

Kids:

• 0
• 1
• 3
• 10

Magic number: 8

Fun Variations of MASH

Speed Round MASH

• Only do MASH + 3 categories.
• Limit to 3 options each.
• Great for big groups.

Theme MASH

Pick a theme and make every category match:

• Celebrity MASH
• Fantasy MASH
• “Future at 30” MASH
• Horror MASH (if everyone’s into it)

Reverse MASH

Instead of crossing out “bad” outcomes, try to eliminate “too perfect” outcomes first for maximum chaos.

The “Nice” Version

If someone is sensitive about crushes or jokes, keep options light:

• Favorite foods, dream vacations, pets, hobbies

MASH Quick Checklist

• Write MASH: Mansion, Apartment, Shack, House
• Choose 5–8 categories
• Add 3–6 options per category
• Pick a magic number
• Count, eliminate, repeat
• Read the final “future”

Ready to Predict Your Future?

Grab a sheet of paper, pick your most chaotic category ideas, and play a round of MASH right now. If you want more quick, no-confusion party games, check out our other step-by-step how-to-play guides.

Frequently Asked Questions