Last Updated on August 20, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

Potato Tomato is a fast-paced word and reflex party game where players race to respond correctly without slipping up. It’s quick to learn, silly to play, and perfect for groups looking for lighthearted fun.

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How to Play Potato Tomato

Overview

No one remembers how it started… Some say it began when a proud Potato declared that baked potato is the world’s most popular side dish. A fiery Tomato quickly challenged the claim, insisting that baked tomato deserves the crown. The silly rivalry spread, and soon, spies were sent to uncover each other’s secrets.

You are one of those spies. Your mission: expose your opponents’ hidden roles. But beware—once all of a player’s roles are revealed, their entire team is eliminated!

Game Components

30 Basic Character Cards
- 15 Potato
- 15 Tomato
21 Special Character Cards
- 8 Potato, 8 Tomato, 4 Neutral, 1 Promo
32 Action Cards
- 10 Green, 10 Blue, 6 Colorless, 6 Dual-Color
30 Burn Tokens
1 Rulebook

Potato Tomato Setup

Character Cards
- Use the table below to decide how many Potato and Tomato cards to include:
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- Shuffle and deal 5 cards face-down to each player. Place them in a row in front of you. Don’t show anyone.
- Return unused cards to the box.
Action Deck
- Take 4 Green, 4 Blue, 2 Dual-Color, and 2 Colorless cards.
- Shuffle them to form the Action Deck.
- (For your first game, use the suggested beginner Action cards listed in the rulebook.)

Determining Teams

Look at your 5 Character Cards:

If you have more Potatoes → You’re on Team Potato.
If you have more Tomatoes → You’re on Team Tomato.
(In advanced play with Neutral cards: if you have an even split, you may end up with no team!)

Keep your team secret.

How to Win

The game ends immediately when all of one player’s Character Cards are revealed. That player and their entire team are eliminated. The other team wins.

Potato Tomato Gameplay

The player who most recently ate a baked potato or baked tomato goes first. Play proceeds clockwise.

Each turn has 3 phases:

1. Draw Phase

The active player begins drawing Action Cards, one at a time, face-up for all to see.
They may stop drawing whenever they like by declaring “STOP!”
But beware of Burnout:
- If you reveal 3 cards of the same color (3 Green or 3 Blue), you immediately receive 3 Burn Tokens and skip your Action Phase.
- Dual-color counts as both Green and Blue.
- Colorless cards don’t count toward Burnout.

2. Action Phase

If you didn’t Burnout, resolve all revealed Action Cards in any order.
Action effects may include swapping roles, peeking at hidden cards, or giving Burn Tokens.
Important: Only unrevealed characters can be affected by actions (unless a card says otherwise).

Burn Token Rule:

If you ever collect 5 or more Burn Tokens, you must reveal 1 of your Character Cards (chosen by the opponent who gave you the tokens).
Then return all your Burn Tokens to the supply.

3. Clean-Up Phase

Return all used Action Cards to the deck.
Pass the Action Deck to the next player clockwise.

Special Characters (Optional)

Players may agree to include Special Characters.
Replace equal numbers of Basic Potato and Tomato cards with the chosen Special Characters.
Try to keep the Potato and Tomato count as balanced as possible.
Neutral Characters may also be included, replacing one Potato or Tomato each.

Key Notes

The game encourages creativity—feel free to add house rules or fun twists!
Action Cards must always be resolved, even if it hurts you.
Revealed Character Cards cannot normally be swapped, moved, or taken (unless an Action says so).