Liar's Clue, by Robert Lodge, adapted for internet play

Cards:

A24 S, 356 H, JQK C, JQK D

Procedure:

The four players should be randomly ordered, and should view themselves as being seated at a table, with the second player to the left of the first, the third to the left of the second, the fourth to the left of the third, and the first left of the fourth, and with the first and third opposite each other, and with the second and fourth opposite each other.

The six number cards (spades and hearts) are shuffled. One number card is given to each player, one card is shown to all (a 'revealed' card), and one number card is kept secret (a 'hidden' card). The same is done with the six face card (clubs and diamonds). There are now six "hands" of two cards each: a concealed hand held by each player, a Revealed Hand for all to see, and a Hidden Hand. Each hand consists of one face card and one number card. The object of the game is to determine which two cards are in the Hidden Hand. The first player to do so is the winner.

Play

Players take turns, going clockwise around the table, asking one question of any opponent they choose. The question must be about the cards in the opponent's hand, and must be answerable by "yes" or "no."

Each player must think very carefully about what his response will be. It must conform to the following rules:
Each player must answer truthfully to some opponents and falsely to others, depending on the number card that he holds. The table below shows each number card and the way a player who holds it must respond to the player sitting on his left, on his right, or opposite him. Players with spades must lie to two people and answer truthfully to the third. Players holding hearts must be truthful to two opponents and lie to one.

Card Left Opp Right

AS T F F

2S F T F

3H T T F

4S F F T

5H T F T

6H F T T

Card	Left	Opp	Right
AS	T	F	F
2S	F	T	F
3H	T	T	F
4S	F	F	T
5H	T	F	T
6H	F	T	T

The success of this game relies on every answer being given according to these rules. One incorrect reply can unravel all carefully calculated logic on the part of the other players. At every turn, the player being asked a question must take the time to first determine the true answer to the question. The he must be sure whether he is to answer truthfully or lie. If an answerer makes a mistake and does not correct it immediately (another player may instantly spot a discrepancy) the game may not be salvagable.

Winning

When a player thinks he knows the identity of the Hidden Hand, he shouts "Got it!" (or use any agreed upon signal) and play halts. A player may guess the Hidden Hand even if it is not his turn. The player who made the declaration then PMs the guess to the moderator. If that player is correct, then he/she wins. If the guess is incorrect, the player is now ineligible to win or take further turns, but must remain in the game to answer others' questions about his hand. No questions are allowed about his/her knowledge of the Hidden Hand, of course.

How others reply to me
These tell the truth:			---	These lie to me:
Left	Opp	Right		Left	Opp	Right
4	2	A		A	A	2
5	3	3		2	4	4
6	6	5		3	5	6

How I reply to others
Card	Left	Opp	Right
AS	Truth	Lie	Lie
2S	Lie	Truth	Lie
3H	Truth	Truth	Lie
4S	Lie	Lie	Truth
5H	Truth	Lie	Truth
6H	Lie	Truth	Truth

Information Chart
Player	AS	2S	3H	4S	5H	6H	JC	QC	KC	JD	QD	KD




Revealed Hand