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Pay-Off

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Two sets of cards as used in Pay-Off strategic trust-building game

Pay-Off

Strategic trust building game to reveal group dynamics.

  • Small group set-up
  • Focus on decision-making
  • Promotes interdependence
  • Inspires powerful metaphors
  • Explores values

Strategic Trust-Building Game

This strategic trust-building game exposes how teams navigate trust and betrayal through calculated choices that affect everyone’s success. Groups face complex decisions about whether to trust others or protect themselves, creating authentic moments of vulnerability and strategic thinking. Pay-Off demonstrates how communication barriers and competitive instincts can destroy collective progress, whilst cooperation builds mutual benefit.

Step-by-Step Instructions

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Original post June 2022, last updated October 2025.

BY Mark Collard - Experiential Trainer, Author & Speaker

Comments (2)

  1. dunnie06

    Tried this today with my 4th grade Health and Wellness class. The goal for the class was to listen to one another and come to an agreement within their group as to what they were going to hold up. I did not give them the formula and I wanted to see how they handled not having a positive score in the end.
    Wondering how long you would leave the formula up for the participants to see?
    Would you leave it up for the entire activity or only at the beginning?
    Thanks in advance for the advice.
    Sheila

    Reply
    1. Mark Collard

      Sheila, in my experience I keep the ‘formula’ in view the whole time. To be honest, I have never considered not showing it for the whole exercise, but that would add a further challenge for the groups to negotiate. Let me know if you need further advice…

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