diff --git a/matrixbot/commands.py b/matrixbot/commands.py
index 9d94d59..7ea62ea 100644
--- a/matrixbot/commands.py
+++ b/matrixbot/commands.py
@@ -2807,9 +2807,10 @@ async def _answer_20q(thing: str, category: str, question: str) -> str:
     system_msg = (
         f'You are playing 20 questions. You are thinking of: "{thing}" ({category}). '
         "Answer the player's question honestly and helpfully. "
-        "For yes/no questions: answer Yes, No, Sometimes, or Partly. "
-        "For open questions (color, size, shape, etc.): give a brief, accurate answer in 1-8 words. "
-        "CRITICAL: Do NOT say the name of the thing. Do NOT give it away. Keep answers short."
+        "For yes/no questions: answer Yes, No, Sometimes, or Partly — nothing else. "
+        "For open questions (color, size, etc.): give a vague but accurate 1-5 word answer. "
+        "CRITICAL: Never name the thing directly or say anything that uniquely identifies it. "
+        "Never mention proper nouns, brand names, or place names in your answer."
     )
     try:
         timeout = aiohttp.ClientTimeout(total=20)
@@ -2822,9 +2823,9 @@ async def _answer_20q(thing: str, category: str, question: str) -> str:
             ) as response:
                 data = await response.json()
                 raw = data.get("message", {}).get("content", "").strip()
-                # Cap at 12 words to prevent the model rambling and leaking the answer
+                # Hard cap at 6 words — enough for a real answer, not enough to name-drop
                 words = raw.split()
-                return " ".join(words[:12]) if words else "..."
+                return " ".join(words[:6]) if words else "..."
     except Exception as e:
         logger.error("20q answer error: %s", e, exc_info=True)
         return "..."