Bumble Bantr: All you need to know (2024 Review)

Bumble Bantr is a new speed dating game where Bumble users chat with one another on the dating app in a new and exciting way without seeing the other person's photos.

Based on the fictitious dating app from the series Ted Lasso, this new dating experience allows Bumble users to create a deeper connection based on their conversations, rather than on looks. Every Thursday at 7pm local time, Bumble daters can enter Bantr, where they will be connected with other players automatically.

You'll be able to RSVP to each weekly event, where you'll get notifications when it's nearing game time. Players will be connected at random and will be matched based on location, age, and gender preferences and search preferences. You won’t be able to see your match’s profile photo and will have to base your connection solely on your conversation and shared interests.

Once you are connected with one other player automatically, you’ll have three minutes to talk and get to know each other - no need for Bumble premium to join. Bantr Live enables both Bumble users to send the first message, which differs from how the dating app originally works.

Ask questions about your match and try to get to know them as best as you can within those three minutes. Keep an open mind and you might end up making a connection with someone who you truly like and feel a spark with.

After the three minutes are up, you and your match will be asked if you would like to match outside of Bumble Bantr on the Bumble app, and only then can you see a small photo of the other person. After you select yes or no, the Bantr app will ask if you want to chat with someone new. If you choose to continue playing, you will be automatically connected with a new user and be given 3 minutes to get to know them.

The game ends at 8 pm and once the game ends, you can check to see if you’ve gotten any matches. If you made a match, that means that person also chose to match with you, and your chat will move into your regular chat queue in the app. Only there will you finally be able to see your match’s profile.

If you’d like to play Bumble Bantr, just tap on the gray hive on the bottom of your screen and click on the blue stopwatch in the top right-hand corner. You’ll be able to RSVP to each weekly Bantr event, and receive notifications closer to the game date. The game is live every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm until December 31st.

As a Bumble user, you will also have access to redeem a free two-month trial to Apple TV+ if you’re not already signed up for the streaming platform. You’ll be able to find this offer when you match with the Bantr live profile.

It’s tricky enough to keep an engaging conversation going on Bumble – but it can be even harder when you only have 3 minutes to get to know your match. Here are the best tips to help you have a good conversation and get more matches on Bumble Bantr.

1. Keep the focus away from looks

The point of Bumble Bantr is to develop a genuine connection based on the conversation – so try to steer clear of talking about looks with your match. Instead, ask your match questions about themselves. You can ask your match about what their hobbies are, what they enjoy doing on their spare time, and any other questions that will give you a better insight into who they are as a person.

2. Use all three minutes

Three minutes is a short amount of time - and you cannot extend - so you’ll want to get the most use out of your time with each potential match. Even if the conversation doesn’t get off to a quick start- you can still save it by getting the chat started.

3. Have a few opening lines prepped and ready to go

To make sure you don’t waste any time, have a few opening lines ready to go for when your conversation starts. With Bantr Live, you don’t have to wait for women to start the chat – you can message your match first and get the conversation rolling. Try to avoid any yes or no questions to keep the conversation flowing.

Ask open ended questions that won’t take your match too long to answer like, “what was the highlight of your day today?” or, “what’s your idea of a perfect night in?”. Check out our list of Bumble prompts to get the conversation started.

4. Use the Question Game feature

To help with conversation starters, Bumble Bantr has a Question Game feature where you can look through icebreaker questions until you find one you’d like to use. Once you send the question, both you and your match have to respond to the question before the answer is revealed. You and your match will have fun playing the game and trying to reply to the questions before the time is up.

To get started, press the “Play Question Game” button above the text box.

5. Keep an open mind

One of the most important things to remember while playing Bumble Bantr is to keep an open mind. If you’ve ever speed-dated before, you might find it to be a new experience and a way of dating you’re not used to. Give it a chance and keep the conversation flowing with your match, even if the chat didn't start off how you imagined it would.

6. Talk about Ted Lasso

Since Bumble Banter is based on the TV series, you and your match may find some shared interests by talking about Ted Lasso. There will be a lot of huge fans of Ted Lasso playing the game, which makes this a great opportunity to talk about the comedy series. Open up with a Ted Lasso reference or question to get the conversation started. You can ask your match about who their favorite character is or what their favourite episode is to get them interested and excited about talking to you.