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HotPotato is a round-based, minigame for Spigot and Paper servers. One or more players are handed a “hot potato”. When the round timer runs out, whoever is still holding a potato is eliminated. Pass it on by hitting another player before time runs out. The last player standing wins.
New here? Start with Installation, then set up your first arena with the commands.

Quick facts

PlatformSpigot or Paper, Minecraft 1.18 and newer
Java17 or newer
PriceFree
Soft dependencyPlaceholderAPI (optional)
StorageYAML, SQLite, or MySQL
LanguagesEnglish and French out of the box

How a match works

1

Players join the lobby

Players run /hotpotato join <arena> and wait in the arena lobby. When enough have joined, a countdown starts.
2

A round begins

Some players are made the potato. Everyone else is a runner. A round timer counts down.
3

Pass the potato

A potato holder hits a runner to pass it on. The runner becomes the potato; the holder becomes a runner.
4

The timer ends

Anyone still holding a potato is eliminated and becomes a spectator. If more than one player is left, a new round starts.
5

Someone wins

When one player remains, they win. Rewards run, stats are saved, and everyone is sent home.

What you can configure

Look and feel

The potato item, the holder’s glow helmet, and the lobby leave item.

Timings

Round length, lobby size, countdown and transition timings, per arena.

Powerups

Floating pickups players grab during a round for an edge.

Rewards

Commands that run when a game ends, for winners or losers.

Messages

Every player-facing string, in your own language file.

Storage

Keep stats in YAML, SQLite, or a shared MySQL database.

Where to go next

Installation

Requirements, setup, and your first arena.

Game flow

Rounds, the potato, and spectators in detail.

Commands

Every player and admin command.

Configuration

A tour of the main config file.