How to win two truths and a lie

Writing a lie nobody spots

• Make the lie the most ordinary of your three statements. People look for the strange one.
• Make one truth sound like the lie. A real, odd fact is the best cover you can have.
• Give your lie a little detail, such as a place or a year, so it feels remembered rather than invented.
• Keep the three the same length and in the same voice.

Finding the lie

• Look for the statement that is too neat. Real life is untidy.
• Be wary of the strange one. A real story is often the one that sounds made up.
• Think about the person. Which of the three would they say about themselves?
• If two are close, pick the one that has the least specific detail.

When to be sure

Saying you are sure doubles your points if you are right and costs a point if you are wrong. Be sure when you know the person well, or when one statement contradicts something you know. If you are only guessing, say not sure: it costs nothing.