Use one imposter and two informed players
In the classic word format, two players receive the same secret word and the imposter receives no word. Everyone gives a clue before discussion and voting. With only three players, an early accusation can dominate the whole round, so finish the clue circle before making a case.
Three is the minimum for Spiono. That does not make the information balance identical to a game with six people: the imposter hears at most two other first-round clues, and informed players have only a small sample to compare.
Try a concrete three-person round
The word is “popcorn”. Alex knows it and says “trailer”. Sam, the imposter, says “screen”. Jo knows it and says “crunch”. Sam has blended in with a broad answer, but Alex and Jo also need to consider whether that clue could have been independently connected to the word.
After everyone speaks, each player explains one connection. Sam may have inferred a cinema snack, or may simply have followed Alex. The group votes after discussion; nobody should reveal the word early just to prove that they know it.
Rotate the first player
The first player has no clues to borrow. Rotate the starting position between rounds rather than always letting the host start. This is an easy house convention that spreads the difficult first turn across the group.
Do not assume that a broad opening clue proves somebody is the imposter. An informed player may deliberately avoid revealing too much. The first-player guide explains why that position is awkward for either role.
Agree what happens when votes split
Three voters can each choose a different person. A simple house option is one short explanation per player, then one revote. If that still produces no decision, declare the round unresolved and start again. Decide this before play rather than changing the rule to help a friend.
An extra clue circle can also work as a house rule, but it gives the imposter more information. Try a few rounds with the normal clue allowance before adding it.
Choose words with several possible connections
Use a familiar word such as umbrella, pancake or penguin rather than a niche film reference. It should support at least three different clues without forcing the second informed player to repeat the first.
If you want a little more evidence before the vote, a four-player game adds another informed voice. For three, keep the rounds short and use several rounds to settle the competition instead of expecting one vote to tell the whole story.