- Time
- 1:00 – 5:30 PMCome a bit before 1:00 PM.
- Where
- Toronto (Downtown)See details on our event listings.
- Cost
- Free
- Registration
- RequiredRSVPs open Mondays at 2:00 PM ET. No walk-ins or observers.
Holidays and venue closures sometimes mean there's no game day. Always check our official event listings on Luma to make sure an event is scheduled.
Over ten years of lying to our friends, and they keep coming back.
In 2015, Dimitrios started organizing Sunday pub board games with Toronto Boardgamers. In 2016 came Saturday social deduction games: first Werewolf, then Blood on the Clocktower in 2018.
Today, with the help of our other organizers, that has grown into BCTO: weekly game days, special events, and a thriving social community where everyone can play, learn, and belong. Organizers storytell, teach new players and keep the games moving.
- 2015Dimitrios starts organizing Sunday pub board games with Toronto Boardgamers.
- 2016Saturday social deduction games begin, starting with Werewolf.
- 2018Blood on the Clocktower comes to Saturdays.
- TodayBCTO: a team of organizers running free game days every Saturday in downtown Toronto.
Seven organizers keep Saturdays running.
Find any of us on game day if you have a question or need a hand.
How a Saturday runs
Registration is required for every game day. We can't accommodate walk-ins or observers. Registration opens the Monday before, at 2:00 PM ET.
- Monday, 2:00 PM ET
Register
Registration opens the Monday before each game day. Sign up on our Luma events page. Everyone who plays needs to register.
- Saturday, 1:00 PM
Arrive
The event starts at 1:00 PM. Come a little early to grab your seat, socialize and get a name tag.
- Saturday, 1:15 PM
First game
The first game begins. A Storyteller runs each game, which takes about 60 to 120 minutes.
- Saturday, until 5:30 PM
Keep playing
Games run until 5:30 PM. Each room usually plays 2 to 4 games.
Three rooms, every level
We run three rooms side by side, with up to 15 players in each. Register for the one that fits you.
New to the game? We strongly recommend playing 5 beginner games before moving up, so you're not lost in the higher rooms.
Friendly guidance and plenty of laughs while you learn the basics. Usually Trouble Brewing or Everyone Can Play.
For players who know the core rules and want new roles and trickier deduction, from the base scripts to customs like Catfishing.
Complex custom scripts, experimental characters and mind-bending puzzles for experienced players.
OISE, University of Toronto
252 Bloor Street West, right above St. George subway station.
Parking and access: OISE has details on parking and getting into the building from the street or the TTC.
Learn the basics. We'll help with the rest.
You only need the basics to sit down and play. Nobody expects you to be an expert, and you'll keep learning with every game.
- It's free.No membership, no catch.
- Come alone or with friends.Everyone registers ahead of time, and we'll find you a spot in a circle.
- Beginners are welcome.We run circles that are good places to learn, and Storytellers explain as you play.
- Learn over time.Organizers and regulars are happy to answer questions, before, during and after a game.
Good against evil, and nobody knows who's who.
Everyone gets a secret character. The good team has to find and execute the Demon. The evil team bluffs, misleads and kills until only two players are left alive. A Storyteller runs the game and knows everything.
Good team
- TownsfolkHelpful abilities
- OutsidersAbilities that can backfire
Evil team
- MinionsHelp the Demon hide
- DemonKills each night
Dying isn't the end. Dead players keep talking and still get one final vote. That's enough to play your first game; the rest comes with practice.
Watch how to playThe official video from The Pandemonium Institute Watch a real gameA live, in-person game of Trouble Brewing, the script most new players start withFrom the town square
See photos from our game days and events on Instagram.
Questions we get every week
Still wondering about something? Ask any organizer on game day, or get in touch.
How do I register?
Registration opens every Monday at 2:00 PM ET on our Luma events page. Everyone who plays must register with their own name and contact details.
I'm new. Do I need to know the rules?
No. Organizers walk you through everything, and coming on your own is completely fine. Register for the Beginner room (Room 1), which covers the rules, etiquette and getting comfortable with the game. For a head start, watch the how-to-play video or a full game of Trouble Brewing.
Can I just drop in, or come to watch?
No. We can't accommodate unregistered guests, drop-ins or spectators, even if there's space.
Can I bring friends?
Yes, as long as each of them registers. Rooms fill first-come, first-served, so we can't guarantee you'll play together.
Is it really free?
Yes. BCTO is run by volunteers and there's no cost to play.
Join one game, leave with a thousand stories.
We host social deduction game events, uniting mystery, strategy, and community. Join our social community between Saturdays to stay in touch, hear about special events and meet other players.
Email us
General questions, partnerships, and community information.
Code of Conduct concerns, incident reports, community safety, and sensitive personal matters.
Our Code of Conduct
Lying is part of the game. Respect is part of the circle. Read how we treat each other at events, in games, and online.