Draft & Bid: frequently asked questions

What is Draft & Bid?

Draft & Bid is a party game for iPhone in which 2 to 8 players get the same budget, bid against each other for cards from a topic pack, build a squad of 5 and then defend it. An AI judge scores the squads and picks the best one.

How many players do you need?

2 to 8 players. Free games allow up to 5 players; Premium allows up to 8.

How does the AI judge decide?

The AI judge scores every squad on how well its cards fit the topic and complement each other, then ranks them with a short, witty comment. Spending more money does not win. If the AI can't be reached, the budget rule decides: the fuller squad, then the one with more budget left.

What data does the AI judge see? Are player names sent?

Only the topic, the card names and the amounts spent are sent, through a Firebase Cloud Function, to a third-party AI text model. Squads are labeled A, B, C, so player names and personal data are never sent or stored. In an online room everyone sees the same verdict.

Does Draft & Bid need internet?

Only for the AI judge and online rooms. A game on one phone is played to the end without internet; the AI judge needs a connection to rule, and without one the budget rule picks the winner (fuller squad, then more budget left, then a coin flip or wheel) and the screen says so. Online rooms always need internet.

Is Draft & Bid free?

The download is free, there are no ads, and the first 3 games are free with 5 free topic packs and up to 5 players. Draft & Bid Premium, a weekly or yearly subscription, unlocks every pack, Sealed Bid, up to 8 players, unlimited games and hosting online rooms.

What is the difference between Live Auction and Sealed Bid?

In Live Auction the phone sits in the middle and players tap their chip to raise the bid while a gavel counts down. In Sealed Bid (Premium) the phone is passed around, everyone enters a secret bid, and all bids are revealed at once.

How do online rooms work?

A Premium player creates a room and shares a 4-letter code or an invite link. Friends join from their own iPhone for free. Bids are made on each player's phone and everyone sees the same AI judge verdict.

Can I run out of money before my squad is full?

No. The app caps every bid so you always keep at least one bid step for each of your other empty slots.

How long does a game take?

It depends on the number of players and how hard you bid: there are 5 cards per player plus a few spares to auction, then a 30-second pitch per player and a short wait for the AI judge's verdict.

What are the topics?

17 packs with 45 cards each: Halloween, Zombie Crew, Desert Island, Road Trip, Superpowers, Heist Crew, Dream Dinner, Mars Colony, Villains, Party Night, Survival Gear, Fantasy Pets, Dream Jobs, Vacation Spots, Snack Lineup, Medieval Kingdom and Office Survival. The cards are made-up characters, items and places, not real people or brands.

Is Draft & Bid available on Android?

No. Draft & Bid is an iPhone app (iOS 17 or later).

When will Draft & Bid be on the App Store?

Draft & Bid is coming soon to the App Store. This site will link to it as soon as it is live.

Do I need an account?

No. There is no sign-up. Online rooms use an anonymous ID and the player name you type; see the privacy policy for details.