about the subject. The panelists are each given a period of time to ask questions of the three contestants. Questions are directed to the challengers by number (numbers one, two, and three from the viewer's left to right), with the central character sworn to give truthful answers, and the impostors permitted to lie and pretend to be the central character.

After questioning is complete, each member of the panel votes on which of the challengers he or she believes to be the central character, typically by holding up a card with the number