Table of Contents


What are Jackbox Games?

  • A library of party games that are played via the internet using a smartphone, laptop, or tablet

  • Games average 20 minutes

  • Most games support 8 players plus optional audience participants

  • Everything is via an internet browser

    • You do NOT need to signup for anything

    • You do NOT need to install anything

Some of the Jackbox games available

What do I need?

You need TWO internet browser windows, screens, or devices

1: For Zoom MEETING

First, you will need a device that is capable of joining a Zoom meeting. This can be a laptop or tablet. It needs a microphone and speakers so that players can hear each other. The Zoom meeting is also how you will see and hear the game instructions.

Let’s call this your MEETING screen.

2: For Game CONTROL

The most common way to interact with the game is through a second device: a smartphone’s internet browser. You can, however, use a single device (e.g., a laptop) by having two monitors or splitting the screen into two windows. The first window is needed for the Zoom meeting so you can see and hear the game. The second device, monitor, or window should be visible simultaneous with the first. And it is used to interact with the game: type in responses, select items, draw pictures, or tap on answers for multiple choice questions.

Let’s call this your CONTROL screen.

NOTE: If there are multiple players at a location, they can all share one MEETING device, but each player needs to have their own individual CONTROL device.

How Do I Join a Game?

  1. You will be sent an invite (web link) to a Zoom meeting. It might be sent via email, text message, group chat, etc.

  2. On your MEETING device, window, or screen: click the invite link at the appointed time to join the Zoom meeting. If it’s your first time ever using Zoom, you might want to join early to make sure your speaker and microphone are working correctly.

  3. On your CONTROL device, window, or screen: open an internet browser and navigate to:
    JACKBOX.TV

  4. After the Zoom meeting has started and everyone has exchanged greetings, the host will share the game to your MEETING screen. This screen will show a Room Code

  5. Enter your name and Room Code into your CONTROL screen. This will enable the PLAY button. Select PLAY to join the game.

Example MEETING screen showing the game and its room code

Example CONTROL screen (initial login) of https://Jackbox.TV

Game in Progress

Below is an example of the MEETING screen. It shows a game in progress and that game (Fibbage) is prompting all players to respond. Games often give a visual countdown and/or audio prompts to remind players to respond before time runs out.

Game Prompt

Below is an example of the corresponding CONTROL screen. In this example, the player is named Craig and they are using an iPhone. This player needs to type in an answer and then tap the SEND button before the timer ends.

Player Prompt

Tutorial Video

Important Reminders

  • You may want to bookmark Jackbox.TV in your CONTROL device’s browser, so you don’t have to type it in each time a new game starts.

  • If you are joining a game as an audience member (versus a player), then do not enter the room code until after all the players have finished joining that game.

  • After entering a text response, or finishing a drawing, don’t forget to click the SUBMIT, SEND, etc. button.

  • Children (and your innocent host) at the other end can see and hear the game. Please keep responses family friendly.

  • If you close the browser used for CONTROL (or are otherwise disconnected from a game in progress), then you cannot rejoin that game.

  • If you’re using a headset mic, be sure to mute yourself while munching, slurping, belching, slobbering, breathing heavy, etc.

  • Don’t cheat! Using Google or other sources to answer trivia questions is bad form, old son.

  • Descriptions of all games can be found at
    https://www.jackboxgames.com/games

Troubleshooting

What do I do if the options to a question are not presented on my phone?

WARNING: Don’t close your browser if you’re already playing in a game—you won’t be able to rejoin the game. Instead REFRESH the page. For a longer-term solution (between games):

  • Make sure the browser you’re using has cookies and JavaScript enabled

  • Try a different browser (e.g., Chrome and Firefox are available for iPhone)

  • Disable ad blockers (they don’t always play nice with Jackbox.TV)

  • Disable extensions that may affect cookies or browsing history (e.g., the Evernote chrome extension)

  • Clear the cache, cookies, and history from your web browser. Then close and reopen your web browser

    • For iOS Safari:
      >Menu (••• button) >Safari >Clear History and Website Data

    • Chrome

      • iOS: >Menu (••• button) >History >Clear Browsing Data

      • Android: >Menu >Settings >History >Clear Browsing Data