Can you cut the right wire before time runs out?
Time Bomb card game: why I loved it. As a family that loves board and card games, we’re always on the lookout for something quick, exciting, easy to learn, and just the right mix of cleverness and strategy. We recently joined a local game night in our community, and that’s how we stumbled upon Time Bomb, and let me tell you, this little card game blew up (pun absolutely intended) at our game night.
What is Time Bomb About
“Time Bomb is a fast-paced hidden role card game where players are either on Sherlock’s team trying to defuse a bomb or secretly working with Moriarty to set it off. Each round, players cut wires, hoping to find the safe blue ones and avoid the deadly red wire, while trying to figure out who they can really trust.”
Time Bomb Card Game Elements
When you play Time Bomb, each player gets a secret Role card that tells us which team we’re on. You’re either on Team Sherlock, trying to defuse the bomb, or on Team Moriarty, doing your best to blow up Big Ben.
Role Cards: Whose Side Are You On?
- If you get a blue card, your on Team Sherlock. Your mission is to work with other teammates (without really knowing who they are) to find and cut all the Defusing Wires before time runs out.
- If you are dealt a red card, you’re secretly part of Team Moriarty. Your goal is to make sure someone cuts the Bomb wire without giving away that your one of the bad guys.
You have no idea whose, on whose time, so you need to bluff, guess, and read the other players to win.
Wire Cards: What Happens When We Cut?
In front of each player are a few Wire cards, and on your turn, you get to choose one to cut. But here’s the tricky part: you don’t know what’s under the wires, you just have to guess based on what people say
- Safe Wires: Nothing happens if I cut one. Phew.
- Defusing Wires: If we’re on Team Sherlock, finding all of these means we win and Big Ben is saved.
- The Bomb: If someone cuts the Bomb wire, Big Ben is toast—and Team Moriarty wins.
What We Use to Play
- Wire Cutter Token (or card): We pass this around to show who’s choosing a wire to cut. It adds to the tension.
- Tachometer Tokens (optional): These help us keep track of how many rounds you’ve played.
How to Set Up Time Bomb
Note: In 4- and 7-player games, one Role card is left out of play. Place it back in the box without looking at it. In these cases, players can’t be sure how many members are on Team Moriarty.
- Prepare the Role Cards
Choose the Role cards according to the number of players:- 4 players: 2 Sherlock, 2 Moriarty
- 5 players: 3 Sherlock, 2 Moriarty
- 6 players: 4 Sherlock, 2 Moriarty
- 7 players: 4 Sherlock, 3 Moriarty
- 8 players: 5 Sherlock, 3 Moriarty
Return any unused Role cards to the box.
- Deal Roles
Shuffle the Role cards and deal one face down to each player. Each player checks their role in secret—either Team Sherlock (blue background) or Team Moriarty (red background). - Prepare the Wire Cards
Use the following number of Wire cards based on player count:- 4 players: 15 cards
- 5 players: 19 cards
- 6 players: 23 cards
- 7 players: 27 cards
- 8 players: 31 cards
Each set includes:
- Multiple Safe Wire cards (no effect)
- A set number of Defusing Wires
- One Bomb card
Return any extra Wire cards to the box.
- Deal Wire Cards
Shuffle the Wire cards and deal 5 face down to each player. - Place Wire Cards
Each player secretly looks at their Wire cards, then shuffles them again and places them face down in front of themselves. Players should not know the order of their own cards. - Choose the Starting Player
The player who most recently visited London (or pick any location/attraction to your community) becomes the first player. Give them the Wire Cutter token to place in front of them.
How to Play Time Bomb
Each round, players “cut wires” by placing the cuttings card on another persons card. They then flip over cards in front of each other. If Sherlock’s team finds all the defuse cards before time runs out, they win. But if someone flips the bomb… well, boom. Game over.
Sherlock’s team wins by defusing all the right wires. Moriarty’s team wins if the bomb goes off — and Big Ben goes with it.
The game plays over a maximum of 4 rounds. In each round, players use the Wire Cutters to cut wires in hopes of defusing the bomb (Sherlock) or detonating it (Moriarty).
On a Player’s Turn:
- The current player takes the Wire Cutter and places it in front of a Wire card belonging to another player (never their own).
- Before cutting, players are encouraged to discuss, plead, and bluff to sway the decision.
- The player flips the chosen Wire card face up and places it in the center of the table.
What Happens When a Wire is Cut
- Safe Wire: No effect. Continue play.
- Defusing Wire: Set aside to track progress. If this is the last Defusing Wire, Team Sherlock immediately wins.
- Bomb: If revealed, Team Moriarty wins instantly.
The player whose card was cut then takes the Wire Cutters and becomes the next to cut a wire.
Ending a Round
The round ends once the number of revealed Wire cards equals the number of players. At the end of the round:
- Gather all uncut Wire cards from all players.
- Shuffle the cards without looking.
- Deal new hands so each player receives one fewer card than in the previous round.
- Repeat step 5 of the setup (spreading out Wire cards face down).
- The player who last used the Wire Cutters becomes the new first player.
How the Game Ends
The game ends immediately if any one of these conditions is met:
- All Defusing Wires are found: Team Sherlock wins.
- The Bomb card is revealed: Team Moriarty wins.
- Four rounds pass without defusing or detonating: Team Moriarty wins by default.
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Why I love Time Bomb
Time Bomb Card Game—FAQs
Q: How many players can play Time Bomb?
A: 4 to 8 players. The game shines with more people!
Q: How long does a game of Time Bomb take?
A: Around 10–15 minutes. It’s quick, tense, and perfect for multiple rounds.
Q: What’s the goal of Time Bomb game?
A: Time Bomb is a fast-paced hidden role card game where players are either on Sherlock’s team trying to defuse a bomb or secretly working with Moriarty to set it off. Each round, players cut wires—hoping to find the safe blue ones and avoid the deadly red wire while trying to figure out who they can really trust.
Q: Can players lie or bluff in Time Bomb?
A: Absolutely. Social deduction and deception are core to the game. Just don’t get caught.
Q: How many rounds are there in Time Bomb?
A: Up to 4 rounds, unless the red wire is cut sooner.
Q: What age is Time Bomb suitable for?
A: Recommended for ages 8 and up—great for teens and adults who enjoy deduction games.
Q: Is this game replayable?
A: Definitely. Each game feels different depending on who’s playing and how well you can read them.
What really hooked me was how simple the rules were but how deceptive it could get.
In just a few minutes, we were second-guessing everything and looking at who we thought was shady (or who “lied” about the number of green fuse cards they had). Who was “too quiet” so they are trying to sabotage the game and the ridiculous finger-pointing around the table, with the sly looks at each other.
It’s one of those games where bluffing and social reading matter just as much as what’s on the cards. And it doesn’t drag on, as rounds are quick, usually 10–15 minutes, which made it perfect for those “just one more game” moments.
I also love how casually one of the other gamers quietly just pulled this out of his pocket and said, “How about we play Time Bomb?”. So it clearly is a great game for travelling and doesn’t utilise much space at all.
My Favourite Moment
My personal highlight? I think it was the second guessing everyone and the fun banter, but also that anticipation of cutting a card to see what it was. It was these moments — the surprises, the misreads, the big “aha!” reveals — that make Time Bomb such a hit for me and my husband.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a game that brings out big reactions, sneaky moves, and a whole lot of laughs, Time Bomb is worth a spot on your shelf. It’s quick to set up, super replayable, and perfect for families who love a bit of mystery and mischief in their game night.
Have you played Time Bomb with your family? I’d love to see your photos. I was too busy playing and completely forgot to get a decent photos. Please send me a message or tag us on socials with your story, and I may be able to include it in this post.
