Remote Coffee Lottery
Randomly pair teammates for a short chat
Game Overview.
Use an automated pairing tool or spreadsheet to match colleagues for a 15-minute coffee chat. Send prompts to keep conversations flowing.
Objectives
- ✓Encourage cross-team networking in distributed companies
- ✓Create informal space for mentoring and collaboration
- ✓Reduce isolation by giving people a friendly face each week
What You'll Need
- •Pairing tool (Donut, CoffeePals, spreadsheet randomizer)
- •Short list of conversation prompts
- •Calendar holds or scheduling guidance
Preparation
- 1Collect participant names and preferred time zones
- 2Decide on pairing frequency (weekly, biweekly, monthly)
- 3Share expectations for meeting length and suggested prompts
How to Play
STEP 1
Generate Pairs
Randomly match participants and send intro messages.
STEP 2
Schedule Chats
Encourage pairs to pick a 15-20 minute slot within the week.
STEP 3
Provide Prompts
Share 3-4 light questions to jumpstart the conversation.
STEP 4
Swap Stories
After chats, invite people to drop one highlight in a Slack thread.
Pro Tips
- Offer opt-in windows so people can pause participation during busy seasons
- Encourage pairs to take screenshots or selfies for internal newsletters
- Rotate prompts each cycle to keep chats fresh
- Highlight interesting pairings or discoveries in all-hands meetings
Variations
Mentor Lottery
Pair junior staff with leaders for informal coaching chats.
Topic-Based Pairs
Match people based on interests like parenting, gaming, or running.
Global Coffee Crawl
Encourage participants to bring a beverage from their region and explain it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do we keep momentum?
Send reminder prompts midweek and celebrate participation publicly.
What if two people cannot find time?
Create backup weeks or let them skip so pairings stay positive, not forced.
Is there a cost?
Many pairing tools have free tiers. A spreadsheet randomizer works for small teams.
Tags
Similar Games You Might Like.
Two Truths and a Lie
A Classic Ice Breaker Game for Any Setting
Each person shares three statements about themselves - two true and one false. Others guess which statement is the lie. Perfect for helping people learn interesting facts about each other.
Human Bingo
Interactive Ice Breaker for Large Groups
Participants receive bingo cards with different characteristics or experiences. They must find people who match each square and get their signatures. First to complete a row wins!
Virtual Background Challenge
Perfect for Remote Teams and Online Meetings
Participants choose creative virtual backgrounds that represent something about themselves. Others guess the meaning behind each background choice.