How the finger chooser works
Lay the phone flat on the table where everyone can reach it. In "Fingers" mode, each player puts one finger on the screen at the same time, up to 10 fingers or as many as your screen can track. Every finger gets a colored circle, so you can see that it counts.
Then hold still. When nobody moves for 2 seconds, a short countdown runs and the phone shows the result. If someone lifts a finger or a latecomer adds one, the wait starts over, so the pick only happens once everyone is in and settled. On phones that support it, you'll feel a buzz too.
With six or more players, use the biggest screen at the table and spread out a little, so the circles don't crowd each other.
The finger picker needs a touch screen. On a computer without one, the tool tells you and switches to "Names".
Pick one person, a turn order or two teams
Before the fingers go down, choose what you want the phone to decide.
One person
One circle stays on the screen. That person goes first, picks the movie or answers the next question.
Turn order
Every finger gets a number: 1, 2, 3 and so on. Play goes in that order, which settles the whole table at once instead of only the first turn.
Two teams
The circles split into two colors. Check your circle's color before you lift your finger, then find your teammates.
Need another pick? Put the fingers down again. Many groups choose a fresh first player for every round of a party game, so the same person doesn't always start.
Names mode: pick a random person from a list
Fingers are fastest when everyone is around one phone. For a bigger group, a video call or a class, switch to "Names". Type the names into the box, or tap "Use saved players" to bring in the names your group already saved in one of our games on this browser.
Tap "Pick" and the names shuffle for a moment before landing on one. Or choose "Turn order" to list everyone in a random order. That's handy for presentations, a reading circle or the order of a gift exchange.
Is it fair?
Yes. The pick comes from your browser's secure random generator, so every finger and every name has the same chance. Being first to touch the screen doesn't help, and neither does being last.
It's also hard to argue with. Everyone sees their own circle, nobody controls the result, and it shows up on the screen for the whole table at once. That ends a lot of "you always go first" debates before they start.
Nothing is sent to a server, and there's no sign-up and no app to install.
When to use it
Board game nights
Rulebooks love "the youngest player goes first" or "whoever cooked dinner last". A finger pick is faster, and nobody can bend the rule.
Who picks the movie
One finger each, one pick. Whoever gets chosen picks tonight and sits out the next draw, so the choice moves around the group.
Snacks and chores
Who buys the snacks for next game night, who does the dishes, who takes out the trash. Use "One person", and the result is final.
Road trips
Who gets the front seat and who picks the music for the first hour. Pick at the car, not while driving.
Classrooms
Use "Names" with the class list to choose who answers, who presents first or who hands out supplies.
Backyard games
Pick who serves first or which side throws first at cornhole. "Two teams" splits the group in one go.
House rules for finger picking
Groups that use a finger chooser a lot tend to add a few rules of their own. Try these.
- No stalling. If someone keeps lifting their finger to restart the wait, they're out of the draw.
- Picked twice in a row? Some groups pick again and share the honor, or the dishes.
- Picker's choice. In "One person" mode, the chosen player decides who goes first. Good for games where going first is a disadvantage.
- One order for the night. Run "Turn order" once and keep it for every game until everyone has gone home.
- Captains' draft. Use "One person" twice to pick two captains who take turns choosing teammates. Or skip the draft with "Two teams".
Games and tools that go with it
Once you know who starts, you need something to play. These one-phone games all need a first player:
- Imposter: everyone gets the secret word except one player. Find them.
- Mafia: hidden roles, and the phone runs the game, so nobody has to sit out as the narrator.
- Truth or Dare: clean questions and safe dares for a mixed group.
- Random Team Generator for more than two teams, with team names and captains, and Flip a Coin when only two people need to decide.
Questions
How does the finger chooser work?
Everyone puts one finger on the screen at the same time. When nobody moves for 2 seconds, a short countdown runs and the phone picks.
How many people can play?
Up to 10 in "Fingers" mode, depending on how many touches your screen can track. For a bigger group, use "Names" and type everyone in.
Why does the countdown keep restarting?
Someone moved, lifted a finger or added one. Lay the phone flat, keep every finger still for 2 seconds and the countdown will finish.
Does it work on a computer?
Yes, in "Names" mode. On a computer without a touch screen, the tool says so and switches to Names for you.
Can it pick a full turn order?
Yes. With fingers, choose "Turn order" and every finger gets a number. In "Names" mode, "Turn order" lists everyone in a random order.
Can I use it to split two teams?
Yes. Choose "Two teams" and the circles split into two colors.
Is it really random?
Yes. It uses your browser's secure random generator, so every finger and every name has the same chance.
Do I need an app?
No. It's free and runs in your browser, with no sign-up and no app.