Frequently Asked Questions

How does the magic number work?

In the traditional paper version, you draw a spiral and count how many times your pen crosses a line drawn through it — that becomes your magic number. This site picks a number for you automatically and animates the same process: it counts around every remaining option in each category, crossing one off each time the count lands on it, until only one option is left per category. Those survivors become your predicted future.

Does my progress save automatically?

Yes. As you fill in your options, your entries are saved to your browser's localStorage. If you close the tab mid-game and come back later, your inputs will still be there — as long as you're on the same device and browser and haven't cleared your browser data.

Does it work offline?

Mostly. Once the page has loaded, the game runs entirely in your browser, so you can fill in categories and run the elimination without an internet connection. You do need a connection for the initial page load, so open the page before you lose signal if you're heading somewhere remote.

Can I change the categories?

The "Where You'll Live" category is fixed to the classic Mansion, Apartment, Shack, House options, but every other category — spouse, car, job, kids, and income — is a blank text field you can fill in however you like. Many players get creative and repurpose a category entirely, using "job" for "superpower" or "income" for "how you become famous."

How do I reset the game?

Tap the "Reset" button in the header. A confirmation dialog will appear so you don't accidentally clear your entries. Confirm, and the game starts fresh with empty fields.

Is MASH just for kids?

Not at all. MASH started as a playground game, but it's just as popular at sleepovers, parties, and long car rides for teens and adults. Because every option is something you write yourself, the game scales naturally to whatever age group is playing — younger kids tend to write silly answers, while older players often use it as an excuse for inside jokes.

What's the "right" number of categories?

There isn't one. The classic version uses six: home, spouse, car, job, kids, and income. Plenty of playground variants add or swap categories — pets, vacation destinations, celebrity best friends, and college majors. This site sticks to the six-category classic, but nothing stops you from treating any category as a stand-in for something else.

Is this game free?

Yes, completely free. No sign-up, no subscription, no premium tier. The site is supported by ads, which help keep it free for everyone.

The page looks broken or the game isn't loading. What should I do?

The game requires JavaScript to be enabled in your browser. Make sure JavaScript is turned on, then try a hard refresh (Ctrl+Shift+R on Windows, Cmd+Shift+R on Mac). If the problem persists, try a different browser. Still not working? Email us at [email protected].