A playful mystery, a hint of suspense and the challenge of distinguishing the truth from the lie - all this is behind the captivating game "Two truths and a lie".
In this article, we want to show you why this game is a great icebreaker. We also take a look at the psychology of deception and reveal the four best strategies for winning.
Two Truths and a Lie - Icebreaker to Get to Know Eachother
Are you looking for a fun game to play with people you've just met? Two truths and a lie is the perfect icebreaker.
It lightens the mood at the start of a workshop, for example, and is ideal as a team-building game. You can play this game with work colleagues, workshop participants, friends or family.
Why You Should Try This Icebreaker
An icebreaker is a crucial moment to create a good atmosphere and lighten the mood.
It can be a great start, especially when a group of people come together who have never met before. For the participants, it is a good opportunity to discover what they have in common. For the presenter, it is an excellent opportunity to find out more about the personalities of the participants. This can be very important for the further development of the workshop.
It can also be interesting to play the game "Two truths one lie" in a group where everyone already knows each other. This can reveal new facets of the participants' personalities.
As a team-building activity, it is very easy to implement and can be extremely effective. The game gives participants the opportunity to learn some true and usually interesting facts about each other. It helps to build relationships and improve cohesion. Plus, the activity is usually very fun and light-hearted - and we all know how important that is for team building.
This is How You Play Two Truths and a Lie
First, let's look at how to play two truths and a lie.
General information and preparation
To play two truths and a lie, you need at least two players. It's most fun in medium-sized groups, so it's neither boring nor too confusing.
The game does not require a game board, game pieces or any other objects. If you want to make the game competitive, you should make sure that the points can be recorded.
Use a flipchart or whiteboard in offline events, for example. For virtual events, you can use the Collaboard online whiteboard.
Gameplay
One player begins by listing three statements about themselves in any order: Two truths and one lie. The other players must now guess which of the statements is a lie.
As soon as every player has given their tip, the lie can be revealed.
Scoring
If you want to make the game competitive, you can now award points.
Each player who has guessed the lie now receives one point. The person who has thought of two truths and one lie also gets points. The person receives one point for each other player they have managed to fool.
Awarding points is not a must, the game can also be played simply to get to know each other, without points.
Then it is the next player's turn to think of three statements.
Rules of the game
As the game master, you should clearly define the rules at the beginning. Make it clear to all players that the aim of the game is to deceive the group. This will make the exercise much more fun.
Each person has a maximum of three minutes to decide on two truths and come up with a lie. The three statements can be both professional and personal.
The three statements could read like this, for example:
- I play the didgeridoo.
- I speak four languages fluently.
- I have never drunk alcohol in my life.
The truths and the lie should be chosen in such a way that it is not immediately obvious what the lie is. Either all three statements must sound very normal or the two truths must sound rather unlikely. This way, the group has the most fun with the puzzle.
Die besten Strategien teilen wir etwas weiter unten mit Dir!
The Psychology of Deception
The game "Two truths and a lie" is full of intrigue and psychological twists. But what exactly makes the game so captivating for us and why are people fascinated by it?
Why do we love this game?
Two truths and a lie addresses some basic human tendencies. We love to hear and tell stories and we are curious by nature.
The game offers us the opportunity to satisfy both needs, while at the same time offering the thrill of the challenge of distinguishing the truth from the lie.
It also serves to explore and test our self-presentation. We select stories that improve our image or deliberately challenge our image. This is not just about entertainment, but also about how we position ourselves in social groups and how we are perceived by others.
Solve the puzzle
In psychology, there are numerous theories and models that deal with the ability to lie and to recognize lies. Non-verbal communication plays an important role here.
You've probably heard the phrase "You can't not communicate" by Paul Watzlawick. Because even without words, we are always in contact with our fellow human beings - whether we want to or not. Body language, facial expressions and tone of voice provide a lot of (additional) information about what is being said.
Curiosity is part of human nature, so it is not surprising that we would like to solve this puzzle too.
Strategies for a Successful Game
Now let's move on to the strategies for a successful game. To begin with, here are a few basics. This is followed by our top 4 strategies that you should know if you want to win.
Basics
- Choose a lie that could be true.
- Try not to change your tone of voice or facial expression when telling a truth or a lie.
- Don't choose statements that are too obvious. This is especially true if you are playing the game with friends, family or long-time work colleagues.
- Try not to use too much technical vocabulary in your statements.
- Keep changing your strategies so that the other players don't figure it out and beat you.
Strategy number 1
Use two hard-to-believe true statements and something simple as a lie. This is guaranteed to confuse your opponents! They will focus on the two unbelievable statements because they are sure that one of them MUST be a lie.
Strategy number 2
Play with the facts by slightly swapping the names of the places or people. For example, if you worked at Mömax some time ago, tell in your lie that it was Möbelix.
Strategy number 3
Try to keep your statements on the same level in terms of credibility. This will even out the probability of the other players guessing correctly.
Strategy number 4
Start with a simple truth, next tell something unbelievable that is true and end with a simple lie. This way, the second statement will sound like a lie because it is extraordinary.
Two Truths and a Lie - Ideas
Great, you are now familiar with the basics and have hopefully memorized our strategies.
Next, we would like to give you some examples of applicable lies.
Ideas for two truths a lie: funny and interesting
Let's start with lies that make you sound funny or interesting:
- I can juggle 5 balls on a unicycle.
- I speak 6 languages fluently.
- I play this extraordinary instrument.
- I go to Disney World every year with my family.
- I've never been abroad.
- I have won an eating competition once.
- I've been in a beauty pageant.
- I can do a backflip.
- I don't have a Netflix account.
- I have lived in 4 different countries.
Ideas for two truths one lie: work
Depending on the industry you work in or the environment during the game, participants may not want to get too personal.
As the game master, you can also specify that all players should remain on a professional level. Here you will find a few lies about school education and working life:
- I skipped a class at school.
- I dropped out of school and didn't graduate.
- I only had straight A's on my school-leaving certificate.
- I did four different apprenticeships.
- I had a scholarship for university.
- I was promoted three times last year.
- I've got every job I've ever applied for.
- I have two different high school diplomas.
- I graduated a semester early.
- I was valedictorian of my school.
- I've been named "Employee of the Month" ten times.
Conclusion
Overall, the game is a great, simple activity that every team leader or presenter should know. Two Truths and a Lie is an excellent icebreaker and can be played with a new group as well as existing work colleagues. It offers players the opportunity to discover common ground. The presenter gains insights into the personalities of the participants, which can be important for the rest of the event. It can be played spontaneously and at short notice, as no materials are required.
Two truths and a Lie - Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
What is "Two truths and a lie"?
"Two truths and a lie" is a game in which a person makes three statements, two of which are true and one of which is a lie. The other participants have to guess which statement is the lie.
How do you play "Two truths and a lie"?
One player makes three statements about themselves, two of which are true and one of which is a lie. The other players guess which statement is the lie. The player with the most correct guesses wins.
Why is "Two truths and a lie" so popular?
The game is popular because it provides entertainment, tests deception and lie detection skills and encourages social interaction.
Can "Two Truths and a Lie" strengthen interpersonal relationships?
Yes, the game can help to strengthen friendships and teamwork as it allows people to get to know each other better and build trust.
Are there strategies for getting better at "Two truths and a lie"?
Yes, some strategies include observing body language and non-verbal communication and honing the ability to tell believable stories.
Why are we so fascinated by deception?
The fascination stems from human curiosity and the challenge of distinguishing truth from lies. It is also an opportunity to test and improve our communication skills.
What is the importance of empathy in the game "Two truths and a lie"?
Empathy plays a role, as players sometimes don't want to reveal the lie in order to spare the narrator's feelings.
Can "Two truths and a lie" be useful in other areas of life?
Yes, the ability to recognize lies and tell stories can be an advantage in interpersonal relationships, at work and in communication.
Are there any ethical concerns when playing "Two Truths and a Lie"?
Ethics can play a role, especially when it comes to how and why someone lies. The game should remain respectful and entertaining without hurting others.
