You have FREE ACTIVITIES left to open. To get unlimited access SIGN-UP NOW

Fun decision-making tool Twenty One

Twenty One

Fun decision-making tool for ranking ideas through group votes.

Highly interactive
Trusts group process
Ideal for assessing ideas
Multiple uses

Step-by-Step Instructions

Optional: visit the Resources tab to download a Twenty-One Card sample to use for demonstration purposes.
Distribute one index card and a pen to each person in your group.
Instruct each person to write the letters A, B, C, and Total on the left-hand side of their card, one under the other.
Pose your question or statement and invite everyone to write their response on the other (blank) side of the card as clearly, succinctly and legibly as possible.
When ready, invite your group to redistribute all of the cards in a series of continuous one-for-one random swaps until the cards are adequately shuffled.
Once shuffled, ensure that no one is holding their own card, ie if so, simply swap with the card of another person.
Announce that over the course of 3 x 60-second rounds (identified as A, B, and C) you would like each person to interact with one other person to discuss and assess the two ideas/statements written on the cards they happen to be holding.
When ready, instruct each pair to allocate a total of seven points across the two options according to their combined and relative preference, ie the two scores must equal seven points.
For example, a pair may award 5 points to the idea expressed on one card and only 2 points to the other idea because they prefer/like the former idea more.
Instruct each person to write the score allocated to that idea next to letter A on the back of the card on which that idea is written, ie if the pair allocate 2 points to idea X, the person holding the card with idea X will write 2 next to (round) A.
Repeat steps 6 to 9 for two more rounds (B and C) ensuring the cards are distributed randomly between rounds.
Over the course of three rounds, it is expected that each person will have viewed and discussed a total of six new ideas (none of which are their own.)
Upon completion of the third round, ask each person to add up the total points awarded to the idea written on their card (for all three rounds) and write this sum next to Total.
Starting with 21, survey your group to identify the idea that was awarded a total of 21 points, ie meaning this idea earned 7 points for each of the three rounds.
Write this idea (if any) on flip-chart paper or a whiteboard for all to see.
Next, survey those who are holding a card with an idea valued at 20 points, and then 19 points, etc.
Continue this process until you have identified and listed the top 3 to 5 ideas of your group.
Presuming these ideas represent the collective wisdom of your group, facilitate a conversation about them in the context of your question/statement.

Resources Premium

How To Play Narrative Premium

Practical Leadership Tips Premium

Social-Emotional Learning Premium

Health & Wellness Programming Premium

Popular Variations Premium

You Might Also Like... Premium

Useful Framing Ideas Premium

Reflection Tips & Strategies Premium

Source Premium

Original post May 2021, last updated October 2025.

BY Mark Collard - Experiential Trainer, Author & Speaker

Comments (7)

texasteambuilder August 21, 2024

Hi, I used this tool today as part of debrief of Moon Ball. It was wonderful, expecially for the more introverted teammates. It created space for every voice to be heard. The exercise offers so much choice and the opportunity to collaborte with various group members.
thanks for this thoughtful exercise.

Reply
1. Mark Collard August 21, 2024
  
  Excellent stuff Jen, thanks for letting us know.
David Meade September 27, 2022

Love this!
Can i check, after each round of scoring, do they shuffle the cards again? so there’s three sets of shuffling?

Reply
1. Mark Collard September 30, 2022
  
  Yes, good question David – the cards are shuffled between rounds so that each person receives a card that (a) that is not theirs, and (b) neither partner has seen before. This last point is easier when the group is large. The bottom line, be sure that the pairs are not reviewing their own card at any time.
texasteambuilder September 15, 2022

Mark, thank you for this technique. I’m looking forward to using it.

Reply
Mary Henton September 13, 2022

Love this idea! Am going to put this in my “bag of tricks.”

Reply
1. Mark Collard September 13, 2022
  
  Excellent Mary. I think it would come in very handy in your coaching. Have fun.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

No Props No Problem

Brand NEW book featuring 150+ outrageously fun group games & activities. Scan QR codes to connect to tons of digital content including video tutorials.

Add to Cart

Your Cart