When planning a party, it’s essential to expect the unexpected. Situations like last-minute cancellations, unannounced additional guests, or changes in guest numbers can happen. My games are designed to accommodate varying guest counts, but hosts may face challenges with their guest list.

A common question I receive regarding my murder mystery games is how to handle discrepancies in guest numbers and genders compared to the characters. Many hosts find themselves with an excess of men or women. Here, we will explore a few alternatives and recommend the most suitable options for our different games.

More Ideas:
🔗The Perfect Murder Mystery Party: Tips and Tricks for Hosting a Killer Event
🔗 Murder Mystery Party Planning Checklist: Everything You Need To Know

Let’s dive in!

The majority of the people who message asking about assigning characters have more women than men. If you are playing one of my games there will always be a mix of female, male and nt-gender-specific characters, so that you can have a mix of people playing, but I am always happy to send you over an extra female booklet to replace a male character if you need!

Opt for an Secondary Character Instead

My mingling mysteries for 10-20 players are based on evidence and include both primary characters and secondary characters. The primary 10 characters serve as suspects, victims, and holders of crucial information.

However, if you find yourself unable to assign a role to one of the primary characters and have no one to fill that part, don’t worry.
Simply present the “Character Card” alongside the evidence for all guests to view. Then, select one of the secondary characters that best fits the remaining guests. If you need guidance on which character to exclude, feel free to reach out to me!

Let loose and play any character in your own unique style!

When faced with an uneven gender ratio, consider asking your guests if they’d like to play a character of the opposite sex. Countless reviews rave about the unforgettable parties where individuals embraced dressing up and fully embraced their chosen roles.

Just a friendly reminder, if you opt for this approach, snap some photos at the beginning. Fake beards, eyebrows, and other props have a way of disappearing when the fun kicks in!

It all boils down to you, your group of guests, and your desired playstyle. Explore the diverse characters, dress to impress, and feel free to reach out to me with any queries or delve into my blog and FAQs for more inspiration.

Ready for Your Murder Mystery Party?

Check out my collection of murder mystery games to find the perfect fit for your next event.
Let’s turn your party into a killer adventure together!