Poker Now vs Pretend You're Xyzzy: Which Party Game Is Better?
A detailed side-by-side comparison of Poker Now and Pretend You're Xyzzy to help you choose the right party game for your next event.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Poker Now | Pretend You're Xyzzy |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Card Games | Card Games |
| Players | 2-10 players | 3-20 players |
| Duration | 30-120 minutes | 20-60 minutes |
| Difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Rating | 4.6 | 4.2 |
Poker Now
Host private poker games with friends online for free. Poker Now supports Texas Hold'em and PLO with a clean interface and no real money required.
Pros
- Completely free with no hidden costs
- No account or download required for players
- Highly customizable game settings
- Clean, responsive interface that handles game logic automatically
Cons
- No real-money play — purely play-money or honor system
- No matchmaking or public tables — friends only
- No built-in voice or video chat
- Limited to Texas Hold'em and PLO — no other variants
Pretend You're Xyzzy
The unofficial online version of Cards Against Humanity. Play the infamous party card game with friends in your browser for free — no box required.
Pros
- Completely free with a massive library of card decks
- Faithful recreation of the Cards Against Humanity experience
- Custom deck support for personalized games
- Multiple server mirrors ensure availability
Cons
- Deliberately crude humor is not for everyone
- Bare-bones interface with no visual polish
- Servers can be unreliable or slow during peak times
- Not officially endorsed — operates in a legal gray area
Our Pick
Between Poker Now and Pretend You're Xyzzy, we recommend Poker Now as the better choice. With a rating of 4.6 out of 5, it edges ahead thanks to its strengths: completely free with no hidden costs and no account or download required for players.
That said, Pretend You're Xyzzy is still an excellent option, especially if you value completely free with a massive library of card decks. The best choice ultimately depends on your group's preferences and play style.