The Traitors’ Oath: What are the rules contestants have to follow?

In case you’ve been living under a rock, there’s a new season of The Traitors underway. And while we’re only a few episodes in, the latest series is sparking debates over its problematic roundtables, as well as the Traitors turning on each other in recent episodes.

And while you watch all of the drama unfold, you might be wondering to yourself, ‘How do they make sure no one sees the Traitors walking around the castle?’ or ‘Do they all know each other before they enter the game?’ Rest assured, we have the answers to all your buzzing questions below — as it’s been revealed that, like all good games, there are rules the players have to abide by…

BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry

What is the Traitors’ Oath?

Sounding a bit like something from my childhood memories at Brownies, the Traitors’ Oath is a strict set of rules placed upon the show’s contestants to make sure everyone is playing the game fairly and squarely, and ensures that none of the Traitors are ‘outed’ by fellow Traitors to the Faithfuls, which would, in effect, ruin the entire game. The Traitors also have to swear to murder every night.

Here are the other rules that must be followed by the whole cast, Traitor or not:

What are the rules of The Traitors game?

No phones

It goes without saying that phones are banned on set — both when filming and when relaxing in the evenings in their accommodation. And even when players are allowed their phones (around once a week), it’s always supervised by production staff, and social media is strictly banned. Phone use is limited to phoning and texting spouses, relatives and friends. Oh, and texts are checked over beforehand to make sure that nothing juicy about the show is being shared.

No Insta-stalking of castmates before the game

The full cast is only revealed to the public after production on the show starts, making it impossible for the cast to Google each other ahead of time.

“The cast doesn’t know who else was on the cast until they all show up there,” explained The Traitors US casting director Deena Katz to TIME. “Because it’s a game, you don’t want them to be able to research each other or talk to each other or form alliances before.”

BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry

They don’t actually sleep in the castle

With both the Traitors and Faithfuls shown coming downstairs to have breakfast together in the castle’s dining room, as well as filming vignettes of the players in the bedrooms occasionally, you’d be mistaken for thinking the cast sleep in the castle — wrongo!