01
Build the castle
Place a small table in the center as the Castle. Arrange four zones of furniture around it, with walkable gaps between each zone.
5 min setupThe unofficial field guide
THE FLOOR
IS LAVA.
Part drinking game. Part obstacle course. Completely ridiculous. Here is everything you need to play the loft's favorite game.
EST.
2011
2011
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2
3
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★KINGTHE CASTLE
Four zones.
One castle.
No floor.
One castle.
No floor.
JFK! FDR! THE FLOOR IS LAVA! ALL TRASH BELONGS IN THE JUNKYARD!
Before we begin
First things first:
what is this game?
True American is the gloriously chaotic party game made famous by New Girl. Players move between furniture, answer prompts, and race toward a central “Castle.”
The show never gives us a complete rulebook. So we studied the episodes, gathered the best fan rules, and shaped them into one playable game. Keep what works, invent what does not, and commit to the bit.
!
A note on the chaosThis is an unofficial fan-made interpretation. House rules are not just allowed. They are practically required.
01
Prepare the battlefield
Set up your
American kingdom.
01THE CASTLEYour center table
02FOUR ZONESFurniture islands
03THE LAVAEverything else
CASTLEKing + pawns
Gather your supplies
Your pre-game checklist
- ✓A center tableThis becomes the Castle.
- ✓Furniture islandsChairs, cushions, stools, or taped paper.
- ✓A “King” and “Pawns”Use drinks, tokens, or anything easy to grab.
- ✓Trivia-ready brainsQuotes, history, pop culture, and inside jokes.
Keep it safe. Use stable, low furniture. Never jump between surfaces, and clear anything breakable.
02
Ready, set, JFK
Four steps from
calm to chaos.
02
Stock the Castle
Put the agreed-upon drink supply in the center. Place one special item in the middle as the King, surrounded by the Pawns.
Choose your pawns03
Pick teams
Count down from three. On zero, everyone shows a number from one to five on their forehead. Matching numbers become teams.
2–10 players04
Start the scramble
One player shouts “One, two, three, JFK!” Everyone answers “FDR!” and races to claim a pawn and a starting space.
Game on03Earn your move.
Take your turn
Earn your move.
Stay off the lava.
On your turn, choose one challenge for the group. The winner moves one space clockwise. Then play passes to the left.
The golden ruleYou may only touch furniture, cushions, or marked spaces. Touch the floor and you are out until the next game.
01
A classicFinish the quote
The active player begins a famous quote. The first player to finish it correctly moves one space.
“The only thing we have to fear…”
02
Read the roomCommon count
Everyone raises a number on their forehead. Players who match the active player may move one space.
Think alike to move alike.
03
Quick thinkingName the connection
The active player names two people, places, or things. First to explain the connection earns a move.
Abe Lincoln + a top hat
The cheat sheet
Rules you can read
mid-game.
01
The floor is lava. Only marked zones and furniture are safe.
02
Always move clockwise. Win a challenge, advance one space.
03
Keep a pawn in hand. Finish it or turn it in before taking another.
04
Only one player per space. If your landing spot is full, keep moving.
05
Reach the Castle to win. Take the King when the final pawn is gone.
06
The group settles disputes. Loudly, dramatically, and preferably by vote.
★TRUE
AMERICAN
AMERICAN
How to win
Claim the King.
Become a legend.
When all the Pawns have been claimed, the race for the Castle begins. Be the first eligible player to land on the Castle, complete one final challenge, and claim the King.
“A true American never gives up. Mostly because they are standing on a chair.”
♡
Play smart, play safe
The fun is the game.
Not the drinking.
True American works brilliantly with water, soda, snacks, or tokens. If your group includes alcohol, set limits before you start, keep water nearby, and never pressure anyone to participate.
Everyone gets home safely. No exceptions.Frequently shouted questions
Still
confused?
Perfect. You already understand the spirit of True American.
01Are these the official rules from the show?+
True American is a fictional game, and the series intentionally keeps its rules chaotic and incomplete. This guide combines what appears on screen with popular fan conventions to create a version you can actually play.
02Can we play without alcohol?+
Absolutely. Use sparkling water, soda, juice, or collectible tokens. The game works because of the movement, trivia, and shared chaos, not because of what is in the cup.
03What if we do not know famous quotes?+
Choose a theme your group knows, such as movie lines, song lyrics, sports facts, or inside jokes. The best version of True American is customized to your players.
04How long does a game take?+
Most games last 30 to 60 minutes. For a shorter game, use fewer pawns or set a 30-minute timer and declare the player closest to the Castle the winner.