Two Truths and a Lie: How to Play, Scoring and Example Statements

It's one of the few icebreakers that works as well on a video call as it does round a kitchen table. There's no kit, the rules take ten seconds to explain, and you learn more about people in one round than in a week of small talk. Here's how to run it, three ways to keep score, and statements you can borrow when your mind goes blank.

How to play two truths and a lie

The whole game, as Wikipedia's icebreaker article describes it, is this: each person makes three statements about themselves, two true and one untrue, and the rest of the group tries to identify the falsehood. Everything else is house rules. This is the version I'd run:

1. Get everyone where they can see or hear each other, and pick who goes first.
2. Give people a minute to think of two true facts about themselves and one believable lie.
3. The first teller says all three statements, in any order, with a straight face.
4. If you like, let the group ask one quick question each before anyone guesses.
5. Everyone votes: hold up one, two or three fingers, or type the number in the chat on a video call.
6. The teller reveals the lie, then tells the story behind the two truths.
7. Score the round, then pass to the next person until everyone's had a turn.

Scoring options

There's no official scoring, so pick the one that suits the room. For a first meeting I don't score at all; the stories are the point.

Scoring style	How points work	Best for
No scoring	Nobody counts, you just play for the stories	New teams, family, first dates
Guesser points	1 point for every correct guess	Groups who like a leaderboard
Teller points	The teller scores 1 point for each person fooled	Confident groups and parties
Team version	Two teams, each agrees on one answer together	Workshops and bigger groups
Both ways	Guessers score for a right answer, tellers score for each wrong one	Long evenings with a few rounds

How to write a lie nobody spots

• Make the lie boring. A dull lie beats a wild one every time.
• Make one truth sound unlikely. The strangest true fact is what people pick as the lie.
• Keep all three the same length and detail, so nothing stands out.
• Base the lie on something nearly true, like a country you almost visited.
• Don't pause before the lie. Say all three at the same pace.

Example statements for work icebreakers

These are trios you can adapt. They're written so any of the three could be the lie, which is the trick to a good round. Swap in what's true for you and change one detail to make your lie.

1. I've worked in three different industries. I once got locked in an office overnight. My first job was in a bakery.
2. I've never sent a fax. I can type without looking at the keyboard. I once ran a meeting from an airport floor.
3. I learned to code from library books. I've given a talk to a room of strangers. I've had the same desk plant for years.
4. I applied for this job twice. I've met my favourite author. I still have my first payslip.
5. I speak a little Spanish. I've never been late for an interview. I once replied all by mistake to the whole company.

Example statements for team meetings

For a team that already knows each other, steer away from CVs and towards hobbies and habits. You'll still be surprised.

1. I can juggle. I've run a half marathon. I've never seen a Star Wars film.
2. I grew up on a farm. I've been on television. I once ate the same lunch every day for a month.
3. I collect old maps. I've broken the same bone twice. I'm scared of escalators.
4. I've swum with dolphins. I can name every capital in Europe. I've never learned to ride a bike.
5. I play in a band. I once won a pie eating contest. I've read the same book every summer since school.

Example statements for family

With family the fun flips: everyone thinks they know everything about you. Use childhood stories, near misses and secrets you're happy to share.

1. I once hid a pet in my bedroom for a week. I've never been on a roller coaster. I can whistle with my fingers.
2. I fell asleep at my own birthday party. I've met a member of a famous band. I've never eaten sushi.
3. I got lost at the seaside when I was small. I've won a spelling contest. I secretly hate chocolate cake.
4. I once broke a window with a football. I've been on a plane by myself. I can do a cartwheel.
5. I've kept a diary for years. I once sang on stage. I've never been stung by a bee.

Why I'd use it for onboarding and team calls

If you run a small business, this is my favourite way to welcome a new hire. In their first week, open the team call with one round each. The new person hears five quick stories about the people they'll work with, and they get to share something on their own terms.

The same Wikipedia article sets out the guardrails. Icebreakers in a professional setting shouldn't require people to reveal personal information, shouldn't embarrass anyone, and shouldn't make people feel compelled to take part. It also notes that people often dislike icebreakers, but that feeling awkward doesn't stop the exercise from bringing a group closer. So keep it low stakes, let anyone pass, and play first yourself so people can see how light the game feels.

For more openers, I keep a list of icebreaker questions for work and parties, and if you're planning the end of year do, there's a round up of Christmas party games for work.

Variations worth trying

• Two lies and a truth: flip it so the group hunts for the one true statement. It's harder than it sounds.
• Themed rounds: only childhood facts, only travel, or only things that happened this year.
• The hot seat: the group gets three questions before voting, and the teller must answer in character.
• Written version: everyone posts their three in the chat at once, and the group votes on each person in turn.
• Pairs: two people team up and tell three statements about the pair of them.

If your group likes this kind of reveal, never have I ever is the obvious next game.

My verdict

Two truths and a lie suits almost any group of three or more, from a new team's first call to a family Sunday. The house rule I'd always add is a free pass, because a game meant to help people relax shouldn't put anyone on the spot. And the mistake to avoid is a ridiculous lie: if it's obviously false, the round's over in a second. Make the lie dull and one truth outrageous, and you'll fool everyone.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play two truths and a lie?

Each player says three statements about themselves, two true and one false, and the rest of the group guesses which one is the lie.

How many people do you need for two truths and a lie?

You need at least 3 people, and there's no upper limit. With big groups, play in teams so it doesn't drag.

How do you score two truths and a lie?

There's no official scoring. Give guessers 1 point for each correct guess, give the teller 1 point for each person fooled, or don't score at all.

Is two truths and a lie good for work?

Yes, if you keep it low stakes. Don't ask people to reveal anything personal, let anyone pass, and go first yourself.

What's a good lie for two truths and a lie?

A boring, believable one. Pair it with a true fact that sounds unlikely, so the group picks the wrong statement.