Start with an easy round
Use obvious, harmless themes first so everyone understands the format. A quick food or travel choice is enough.
Use obvious, harmless themes first so everyone understands the format. A quick food or travel choice is enough. In practice, the simplest way to test this is to say the question out loud and notice whether it produces an immediate, effortless answer or a short pause. That pause is useful: it means both options have enough weight to deserve consideration.
Ask for reasons selectively
If every answer requires a speech, the game slows down. Let most people pick quickly and pause when an answer surprises the group.
If every answer requires a speech, the game slows down. Let most people pick quickly and pause when an answer surprises the group. In practice, the simplest way to test this is to say the question out loud and notice whether it produces an immediate, effortless answer or a short pause. That pause is useful: it means both options have enough weight to deserve consideration.
Rotate who reads
Passing the next question to a different person keeps one participant from becoming the permanent host.
Passing the next question to a different person keeps one participant from becoming the permanent host. In practice, the simplest way to test this is to say the question out loud and notice whether it produces an immediate, effortless answer or a short pause. That pause is useful: it means both options have enough weight to deserve consideration.
Skip weak prompts
A prepared list is a tool, not a script. If a question does not fit the group, move on without trying to rescue it.
A prepared list is a tool, not a script. If a question does not fit the group, move on without trying to rescue it. In practice, the simplest way to test this is to say the question out loud and notice whether it produces an immediate, effortless answer or a short pause. That pause is useful: it means both options have enough weight to deserve consideration.
End while it is still fun
Choice games work well as a short activity. They do not need to consume an entire gathering to be successful.
Choice games work well as a short activity. They do not need to consume an entire gathering to be successful. In practice, the simplest way to test this is to say the question out loud and notice whether it produces an immediate, effortless answer or a short pause. That pause is useful: it means both options have enough weight to deserve consideration.
Keep it simple
The format does not need a scoring system or a complicated rulebook. A clear pair of choices, a reason, and a follow-up question are enough. The question has done its job when people stop thinking about the format and start talking to each other.