How to Play the Viral Johnny Whoop Game

Read on to learn the secret trick to this TikTok challenge

Co-authored by Candace Gasper and Elaine Heredia, BA

Last Updated: December 4, 2025 Fact Checked

Your favorite TikTokers are all playing a trending challenge: the Johnny Whoop game! Some sources say this game has been around since at least 1966 (and probably before), and its fun twist is causing just as much delight and frustration now as it has for the last 60 years. Keep reading to learn how to beat the Johnny Whoop challenge as we reveal the trick!

How to Beat the Johnny Whoop Challenge

Watch for a secret action the person performs after they tap their fingers. They might cross their arms or say a certain phrase—and this is the key. While most people perform the finger tapping and saying “Johnny” and “Whoop” correctly, they don't perform this secret action and lose the challenge!

1

Hold up your right hand.

Download Article

Position your hand so that your palm is facing you and the back of your hand is facing the other players, so they can see exactly what you're doing. Tell them to watch you and repeat what you did once you're done.
- Number of players: This game requires only 2 players (you and another person), but you can also play with as many other people as you want.
- Did you know? Some people call this game “Johnny Johnny Whoop” or “Johnny Oops.”

2

Touch your right pinkie and say “Johnny.”

Download Article

Use your left index finger to touch your right pinky finger, and say “Johnny” as you do.

3

Tap each finger on your right hand and say “Johnny” each time.

Download Article

Tap your ring finger and say “Johnny,” then tap your middle finger and say “Johnny,” then tap your index finger and say “Johnny.”

4

Drag your left finger down to your thumb and say "Whoop!"

Download Article

After tapping your right index fingertip, drag your left index finger down the side of it. Skate it across the webbing between your index finger and thumb, then up the side of your thumb. As you do this step, say, "Whoop!"

5

Tap your right thumb and say “Johnny.”

Download Article

Just like you did with your other fingers, tap the tip of your thumb and say “Johnny,” after you’ve done the “Whoop!”

6

Drag your left finger back to your index finger and say "Whoop!"

Download Article

Slide your left index finger down your thumb and up to the top of your right index finger, reversing the step you did before.

7

Tap your other fingers and say “Johnny” each time.

Download Article

Reverse the order you used the first time, so tap your right pointer finger and say “Johnny,” tap your middle finger and say “Johnny,” tap your ring finger and say “Johnny,” then tap your pinkie and say “Johnny.”

8

Perform a secret action.

Download Article

This is the trick! After tapping your right pinkie again and saying "Johnny" one last time, perform a secret action of your choice. You could cross your arms, as in this video by @mmmjoemele from TikTok, put your hands in your lap, or say a specific phrase. Whatever you do, do it nonchalantly and avoid making it super obvious or exaggerated. The other players aren't supposed to realize right away that this action is part of the game. Here are some phrases you could say:
- "Now you try it."
- "That's how you do it."
- "Your turn."

9

Ask the other players to mimic your actions exactly.

Download Article

See how many of them repeat your finger tapping actions and the secret action. In most cases, they'll only mimic the finger touching and won't even notice your secret action. Show them the game with your secret action until they figure it out. It could take several demonstrations for them to figure out how to do it correctly!
- In this video by @TheQuistFamily, it took Courtney four tries to realize Alex was performing a secret action at the end of the "Johnny Whoop" sequence!