How The Traitors contestants can make it to the final, according to experts
Season three of The Traitors is in full swing and this evening, viewers will finally discover who the victim of Friday night's "deadly" twist is after a gruelling four-day wait.
During last week's action-packed episode, Traitors Minah and Linda chose Faithfuls Leon, Fozia, Alexander and Anna to take part in a nighttime Deathmatch.
The card game (which is essentially Chase the Ace in reverse) involved seven "death" cards and one "life" card. The goal was to secure the latter by carefully selecting one card from their teammates, and so far, Anna and Alexander have been successful.
The other two, however, have been less so – and in no small part thanks to their poker face, or lack thereof (here's looking at you, Leon).
Now, of course the entire game is based on deception, bluffing and infiltrating different social circles, but the Deathmatch, in particular, relies on cunning.
So, what makes a good liar? And which of the contestants have what it takes to make it to the final and win? Experts reveal all…
Who is the best liar in the group?
According to BACP-accredited counsellor Nicola Saunders, Fozia is the most adept at lying of those selected to play the Deathmatch game.
"Fozia was calm, collected and very straight-faced," Saunders says. "She gave very little away, and I believe she only lost the card due to Leon’s response, not hers. Leon, however, had it written all over his that he had the survivor card. And Alexander’s eyes just got wider when he finally had the survivor card in his hand. These are all signs of a pretty poor liar," she adds.
Betfred's Kayley Cornelius, meanwhile, comments: "In the cutthroat game, Anna undoubtedly earned her win with a stellar performance. When Fozia handed her the life card, she gave nothing away, keeping her facial expressions neutral and maintaining her composure for the rest of the round."
However, she agrees with Saunders about Leon's performance. "He was playing it cool until he drew the life card," she says. "His over-the-top attempt at feigning disappointment and sudden shift in demeanour likely tipped off Fozia and Alexander to the game he was playing. This was only made worse by his insistence on being the one to make the first move – a clear attempt to mask his guilty conscience that completely backfired!”
So, what makes a good liar?
Generally speaking, people lie through fear of being caught out or told off. Therefore, the most successful liars are the ones who justify to themselves why they are lying, Saunders explains.
"Essentially, people who lie are protecting themselves. Also, you have to be extremely good at keeping track of the lie so there are no slip-ups which may raise suspicion.
"A good liar is usually someone who doesn’t fully connect with others because they don’t want people to be able to read them. They can align their narrative with their vocal tone and body language so that all the puzzle pieces fit together," she says.
Susie Masterson, BACP-registered trauma informed therapist, also says that skilled liars are more likely to have good cognitive skills including working memory and responsiveness.
"Liars often have to think on their feet. Rarely is it sufficient to tell a single pre-rehearsed lie – particularly in a show like The Traitors. This means that we need to provide additional information to back up our position," she says. "Similarly, people who are good at emotionally regulating themselves – with an ability to minimise stress, anxiety and guilt – also tend to be better at telling lies."
Masterson also points out that sociological factors, including our views on morality, faith and other cultural influences, may also impact our ability to lie.
And what are the tell-tale signs of a liar?
Cornelius says that, especially in gameplay, the most obvious signs someone is lying or bluffing is their body language, inconsistencies in their narrative and their voice.
She explains: "If their story changes or details don’t quite add up, it’s often a red flag. People who are lying may struggle to keep track of the false narrative they’ve created, leading to contradictions.
“Body language can be equally telling. Shifty eyes, avoiding eye contact, or excessive blinking might suggest discomfort, though some liars overcompensate by staring too intently. Fidgeting, sudden movements, or shielding parts of the body – like crossing arms or touching the face – are also common signs of nervousness.
“Another giveaway is their tone of voice. A liar’s pitch may rise slightly, or their speech might become hesitant, with more 'ums' and 'ahs' as they scramble to keep their story straight. Conversely, someone bluffing might oversell their confidence, speaking loudly or aggressively to cover their uncertainty.
“Additionally, watch out for over-explaining. Liars often add unnecessary details to make their story sound more believable, but this can have the opposite effect, drawing suspicion instead.”
Are there ways to improve our bluffing skills?
Cornelius says that improving our poker face is all about mastering control over our emotions and body language. "The goal is to project calm neutrality, making it harder for others to read your intentions or reactions," she explains.
Her tips are:
Start with your facial expressions: Practice keeping your face relaxed and composed, avoiding sudden shifts like raised eyebrows, smirks, or frowns. Deep breathing can help you stay calm, which naturally reduces tension in your face and body
Next, focus on your eyes: Maintaining steady, natural eye contact is crucial – neither avoiding it nor overdoing it. People often give themselves away with darting eyes or an overly intense stare, so aim for a balanced gaze.
Your posture also plays a big role: Sit or stand confidently but comfortably, avoiding fidgeting or defensive gestures like crossing your arms or tapping your fingers. Stillness conveys confidence and makes it harder for others to pick up on nervous energy.
Equally important is your voice: Keep your tone steady, avoiding fluctuations that might hint at excitement or anxiety. Practising deliberate, measured speech can help you stay in control during high-pressure situations.”
Read more about The Traitors:
The Traitors viewers are all saying the same thing about this season (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)
'The Traitors has a Faithful problem this year' (Yahoo Entertainment, 6-min read)
'The Traitors roundtables go on for hours and are really intense' (Yahoo Entertainment, 9-min read)
