HamBuzzer
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How it works

How to host a game, how to play, and answers to all your questions.

Host a game

You're the host: here's how a game goes, from creation to podium.

  1. Create the game

    On the home page, "Create a game" tab: a game name, your nickname, and you're off. No account needed. With a free account, your games stay filed under "My games".

  2. Bring in the players

    Share the 6-character code, the direct link or the QR code shown on your host page. Players pop up in your list as soon as they arrive.

  3. Pick the game mode

    Live buzzer, written buzzer, written quiz or MCQ. You can switch modes at any time, even from one question to the next.

  4. Prep your questions (or don't)

    Ask them out loud as you go, pick from the 16 ready-made packs, or prep your own list: text, MCQ, images, import a whole list, reorder with drag and drop.

  5. Launch a question

    One click (or the N key) launches the next question. Add a timer to turn up the pressure: once time runs out, nobody can answer anymore.

  6. Referee and hand out points

    You see the buzz order and everyone's reaction time. +1 / -1 in one tap, preset steps or any value you like. In MCQ, correct answers score on their own. A player getting out of hand? Block or kick them.

  7. Play in teams (if you like)

    Switch to team mode and create them: each player picks their own, and the team leaderboard shows up everywhere.

  8. Put the game on the big screen

    Open projector mode on a computer hooked up to the TV or projector: QR code to join, questions, first to buzz, leaderboard and podium.

  9. Finish in style

    Podium, awards and a results page to share. Up for another round? Rematch starts a new game with the same players, in one click.

Join and play

For players, a phone is all it takes. No app, no account.

  1. Join the game

    Scan the QR code, open the link or type the game code on the home page, then pick your nickname.

  2. Make it yours

    "Customize me" button: an avatar, a color and your buzzer sound. The change shows up instantly on every screen.

  3. Buzz

    As soon as the question drops, hit the big red button. Green screen: you're first. Red: someone was faster, and your position is shown.

  4. Answer

    Depending on the mode: out loud, by typing your answer, or by picking one of the MCQ choices. Your answer goes straight to the host.

  5. React

    😂 🔥 👏 😱: send reactions that float across every screen, projector included.

  6. Follow the leaderboard

    Live scores, 🔥 streaks and awards at the end. Closed the page by mistake? Head back to the home page: your ongoing game is waiting for you.

Several ways to play

Pick the format that fits your audience: from pure buzzer to auto-graded MCQ.

Buzzer · Live

Race to the buzzer, in person. The fastest player gets to answer out loud. The host arbitrates.

Buzzer · Written

Same buzzer race, but the player types their answer, handy for remote play or when spelling matters.

Quizz · Written

Everyone types their answer. No buzzer race: sending counts as the buzz, host reviews the list ranked by submission order.

Quizz · MCQ

Multiple choice question. Auto-graded on the correct answer, with a medal for the fastest correct picker.

Keyboard shortcuts

On a computer, you can run everything from the keyboard too.

Player

  • Space Buzz
  • 1 … 4 Pick an MCQ answer

Host

  • N Launch the next question
  • Esc Close the current question

Projector

  • F Fullscreen
  • M Mute or unmute sound

Frequently asked questions

Is it really free?
Yes, freer than the pickle on your burger. No subscription, no ads, no hidden paywall.
Do I need to create an account?
No, just pick a nickname and play. We only store an anonymous ID so you can resume a game in progress.
How many players can join a game?
HamBuzzer is built for groups of 2 to 30 players, but nothing stops you from going further for your big annual party.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes, the buzzer is designed for phones. Players usually buzz from their smartphone and the host runs the game from a laptop or a tablet in projector mode.
What kind of games can I use it for?
Homemade quizzes, blind tests, living-room game shows, classroom activities, team building, drinks games… Whenever you need to know who spoke first, HamBuzzer does the job.
Do I need to install an app?
No need: everything works right in your browser, with nothing to install. A free app is also available on the App Store and Google Play, but the site stays fully featured without it.
Do I need to prepare my questions in advance?
Not necessarily. You can ask the questions out loud and just use the buzzer, pick from our 16 ready-made packs, or prepare your own list (text, MCQ, images) before the game.
How do I show the game on a TV or projector?
Open projector mode from the host page, on a computer connected to the screen. It shows a QR code to join, the questions, who buzzed first, the leaderboard after each question and the final podium. Press F to go fullscreen.
Can we play remotely, over a video call?
Yes. Share the code in the call and everyone buzzes from home. The written modes are handy for remote play: answers go straight to the host.
Can we play in teams?
Yes. Create teams from the host page, each player picks theirs and the team leaderboard shows up everywhere, projector included.
How does HamBuzzer know who buzzed first?
The server records the order the buzzes arrive in and picks the first one, not the phones. Everyone sees the same result at the same moment, with each player's reaction time.
Can I keep a game's results?
Yes. Every finished game has its own results page (podium, leaderboard, awards) to share, and the history keeps the details of every question. With a free account, you'll find all your games under "My games".

Want to see everything HamBuzzer can do, with the real screens?

See all features

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