If you want to run a wheel of fortune game for a group, you have a few real options.
You can use a slideshow template, build your own DIY version, or use a hosted tool that handles the game flow for you. The best choice depends on whether you want full control, the lowest-cost setup, or the easiest experience for the host.
Option 1: Use a slideshow template
If you want something familiar and flexible, a template can be a good starting point.
These are useful if you already like working in PowerPoint or Google Slides and do not mind handling the game manually.
The tradeoff is that the host usually still has to do a lot of work:
- Reveal letters
- Update player scores by hand
- Keep track of turns
- Move between rounds manually
- Remember special rules and bonus flow
For a casual one-off game, that may be fine. For a bigger room, classroom, or recurring activity, it can get tiring fast.
Option 2: Build a DIY version from scratch
If you want to make your own wheel-style game without a dedicated tool, the basic setup is pretty simple.
You need:
- A puzzle board or slide deck
- A list of puzzles and categories
- A spinner or wheel graphic
- A score tracker
- One host running the whole game
A simple DIY workflow
- Create a board with hidden letters or blank tiles.
- Write down your puzzle answer key and category list in host notes.
- Set up teams or players on a separate score slide or scoreboard.
- Use a spinner, random wheel, or wheel image to simulate each spin.
- Manually reveal letters, update scores, and advance rounds.
This can work, especially for game nights or classrooms where you do not mind some host effort.
The downside is that the host becomes the game engine. Every turn depends on them remembering what happens next and updating everything in real time.
Where DIY starts to break down
A homemade version often feels manageable at first, but it gets harder when you want:
- More than a couple players or teams
- Multiple rounds
- Remote play over Zoom
- Faster pacing
- Custom puzzles without extra prep time
- A first-time host who is not juggling everything manually
The biggest friction points are usually scorekeeping and turn management. Even a good slideshow template still expects the host to do those jobs by hand.
Option 3: Use Spinorama
This is where Spinorama is the easiest option.
Instead of building the game out of slides and manually running every step, Spinorama handles the structure for you:
- Turn order
- Host prompts
- Round flow
- Puzzle display
- Keyboard shortcuts
- Score flow
That means you do not have to manually update player scores every turn or remember what comes next. The host can focus on the group instead of acting like a scorekeeper, board operator, and rules manager all at once.
It also works well for:
- Family game nights
- Classrooms
- Senior living activities
- Parties and events
- Remote groups over Zoom
The best setup for most groups
If you want the cheapest possible route and do not mind manual work, a PowerPoint or Google Slides template is a perfectly reasonable place to start.
If you want the smoothest experience for a real group, especially with repeat use, custom games, or first-time hosts, Spinorama is the better option because it removes the busywork that usually slows a DIY version down.
If you want to see how it works, read How to Play Spinorama, browse the FAQs, or go straight to play.spinorama.io and try it in your browser.