Black Box
Choose a card - then convince them what’s inside
1
Two players are picked at random.
2
Player 1 picks 1 of 6 cards shown below and flips it - only they can see it.
3
A timer starts. Player 2 has two choices:
Take the card from Player 1.
Or leave it with them.
4
Player 1 can talk to Player 2 the whole time - and try to mislead them.
5
When the timer ends, whoever is holding the card reveals it and does what it says.
Not picked this round? Sit back and enjoy the show.
Ends up holding a Drink card, per chaser shown
Chosen to drink by whoever holds a Distribute card
Ends up with a Drink card, per chaser
Ends up with a Distribute card, per chaser
Black Box is a two-player stand-off with the whole room watching. Two players are picked at random. Player 1 chooses one of six sealed boxes and sees what is inside: a Drink card or a Distribute card, each worth one to three chasers. A timer starts, and Player 2 has to decide whether to take the box or leave it. Player 1 can say anything in the meantime, and they will. When the clock ends, whoever is holding the box reveals it: a Drink card means you drink what it shows, a Distribute card means you hand those chasers out. Everyone not picked gets to watch someone bluff a friend to their face.
1
As Player 2, start from the deck, not the sales pitch. There are three Drink boxes and three Distribute boxes, so before a word is spoken the box is a coin flip. Everything Player 1 says is an attempt to move you off that.
2
As Player 1, decide on a story and stick to it. Switching from "you really do not want this" to "fine, take it" halfway through the timer is the tell that gives the room the answer.
3
Reverse psychology is expected, so sometimes the honest play is the strongest. A Player 1 who calmly says "it is a Distribute card, take it" holding a Drink card wins more often than one who begs.
4
The points scale with the chasers on the card, up to plus or minus 15. A high-value card is worth fighting over; a one-chaser card barely moves the scoreboard either way.
1
Silent box: Player 1 may not speak and can only communicate with facial expressions. Player 2 gets the full timer to stare at them.
2
Jury vote: the rest of the room votes take or leave before Player 2 decides, and Player 2 may follow or ignore it.
3
Best of three: the same two players run three boxes in a row, alternating who picks. Reputations build fast.
Black Box is a bluffing duel, and the crowd watching it does not care whether the card says drink or sip. Play it for the points, which already run to 15 either way, and the theatre of Player 1 talking Player 2 into a bad decision is untouched.