Two truths and a lie
Say three things about yourself, two true and one invented, and see who can spot the lie. The hard part is thinking of good statements on the spot, so this page gives you topics to build them from, filtered for who is playing and where, plus a scorer that counts who fooled the room.
How to play
- Think of three statements. Two are true, one is made up. Draw three topics below and answer two truthfully and one falsely, or use the topics as a starting point.
- Say them in any order. Keep the same tone for all three; a lie told faster or with a grin gives itself away.
- Everyone guesses. The others may ask one question each, then pick the statement they think is the lie: 1, 2 or 3.
- Reveal. The teller says which one was the lie, and tells the story behind the true ones if anyone asks.
- Score (optional): one point to each person who spotted the lie, one point to the teller for each person fooled. The scorer below does it for you.
Four to fifteen players is the sweet spot. With more, split into groups (the team generator does it in one tap) and have each group send its best fooler to a final round.
topic generator
Topic
Tap "Next question" to start
Take turns by name (optional)
Printable topic cards
Cards follow the filters above. Pick how many, tap Make cards, then use your browser's Print (Ctrl+P, Cmd+P on a Mac, or Share then Print on a phone). Only the cards print, 12 to a US Letter page, ready to cut apart.
12 sample cards below.
Fool-the-room scorer
Add the players, pick who is telling, record everyone's guess (1, 2 or 3), then tap which statement was the lie. Spotting the lie scores 1; the teller scores 1 for each person fooled.
The lie was statement:
| Player | Points | Rounds told |
|---|
Writing a good lie (and spotting one)
- Make the lie boring. The room hunts for the most surprising statement. A plain lie hides behind a strange truth.
- Add one small detail to every statement. A name, a year or a place makes all three sound equally real.
- Pick a lie nobody here can check. Your sister in the room knows you never had a goldfish.
- Spotting it: ask a follow-up about each statement. True stories come with details people do not have to think about; invented ones get shorter under questions.
Two worked examples
- I have ridden a camel.
- I once won a pie-eating contest.
- I can say "thank you" in six languages.
- I have never seen the ocean.
- I built a canoe in a summer class.
- I have the same birthday as my best friend.
Versions for work, class, kids and parties
At work or in a meeting
Set the generator to "At work or a meeting". Keep it to hobbies, trips and skills, give a minute to think, and let anyone pass. For a new team, have each person write their three on a sticky note first, so nobody is put on the spot. More options are on our icebreaker games page.
In a classroom
Print a set of topic cards and deal three to each student. Younger children can draw one of their statements. The game also works as a review game: the teacher says three facts about a topic and the class finds the false one.
For kids
Set the generator to Kids. Under-8s often give the lie away by laughing, which is half the fun; let them whisper their three to a grown-up first for help.
At a party or shower
Play it about the guest of honor: each guest says two true things and one invented thing about the birthday person or the couple, and they guess the lie. It is one of our birthday party games andbridal shower games.
Two lies and a truth
Flip it: one true statement, two invented. It is harder for the teller and makes a good final round.
What this page adds
Most pages about this game are a long list of example statements, which you cannot use because they are not about you. Here you get topics instead, filtered so a work meeting gets work-safe ones and kids get kid-friendly ones, printable as cards, plus a scorer that rewards the best fooler, not only the best guesser.
Common questions
How do you play two truths and a lie?
Each player in turn says three things about themselves: two true, one made up. Everyone else guesses which one is the lie, then the player reveals it. Score a point for spotting the lie; the teller scores a point for each person fooled.
What are good two truths and a lie ideas?
Use topics instead of trying to think of facts cold: a place you have been, an unusual food you have tried, a skill you could teach in five minutes. The topic generator on this page has 50 of them, filtered for kids, teens or grown-ups and for work, class, a party or a video call.
How do you make a good lie?
Make it ordinary and specific. A lie that sounds amazing gets spotted; a plain one with a small detail ("I had a goldfish called Biscuit") does not. Then make one of your truths the surprising one.
Is it a good game for work?
Yes, if the topics stay away from anything personal. Use the "At work or a meeting" filter: every topic there can be answered with a hobby, a trip or a skill, and anyone can pass.
How do you play on a video call?
Have each person type their three statements in the chat at the same moment, or say them out loud and let people vote with 1, 2 or 3 in the chat. The scorer on this page keeps the points.
Another guessing game for any group: 20 questions, with question ideas and a counter.