Top 5 Most Popular Drinking Games

Drinking games are a pervasive part of college life, but that doesn't mean we can't all still enjoy some competitive drinking every now and then. If you have not played these games yet, crack open a beer and get started. Warning: hangover likely.
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Drinking games are a form of social activity that involve the consumption of alcohol as part of the gameplay. The objective of these games is to have fun and entertain while consuming alcohol. In these games, players are often required to perform certain tasks or challenges while drinking, and the outcome can result in a penalty or reward. Drinking games can be played in various settings, including at home, in bars, or at parties. Here are the top 5 most popular drinking games.

Beer Pong

Beer Pong

Beer Pong

Beer Pong is a popular drinking game that involves trying to throw ping pong balls into cups of beer on a table. Here are the general steps on how to play:

  1. The game is typically played with two teams of two players each, although it can be played with different team sizes and numbers of players.
  2. Players set up a rectangular table with ten cups of beer arranged in a pyramid shape at either end of the table. Each cup should be filled about a third of the way with beer.
  3. The two teams stand at opposite ends of the table, and players take turns throwing ping pong balls at the cups on the other team’s side of the table.
  4. If a ball lands in a cup, the opposing team must drink the contents of that cup and remove it from the table.
  5. The game continues until one team has no cups remaining. The losing team must then drink any remaining cups on the table.
  6. There are a few variations of Beer Pong that you may come across, such as:
  • “Re-Racks” – Each team is allowed to ask for one or two “re-racks” during the game, which means that the cups are rearranged into a different shape.
  • “Island” – A single cup is placed in the center of the table, and if a ball lands in that cup, the other team must drink a specified amount of beer from their cups.
  • “Death Cup” – If a ball lands in a cup that has already been emptied, the opposing team must drink an additional cup of beer.

It’s important to note that Beer Pong can involve a significant amount of alcohol consumption, so it’s important to drink responsibly and stay safe. Also, be sure to clean up any spilled beverages and broken cups after the game is over.

Kings

“Kings,” also known as “King’s Cup,” is a popular card-based drinking game that is often played at parties. Here are the general steps on how to play:

  1. Players sit in a circle and place an empty cup in the center of the table.
  2. The deck of cards is shuffled and placed face down on the table.
  3. Players take turns drawing cards and following the corresponding rule:
  • Ace: “Waterfall” – Everyone starts drinking their beverage at the same time, and players cannot stop until the person to their right has stopped.
  • Two: “You” – The player who drew the card picks another player to take a drink.
  • Three: “Me” – The player who drew the card takes a drink.
  • Four: “Floor” – Everyone playing must put their hands on the floor, and the last person to do so must take a drink.
  • Five: “Guys” – All male players take a drink.
  • Six: “Chicks” – All female players take a drink.
  • Seven: “Heaven” – Everyone playing must reach for the sky, and the last person to do so must take a drink.
  • Eight: “Mate” – The player who drew the card chooses another player to be their “mate,” and every time the first player drinks, the mate must also drink.
  • Nine: “Rhyme” – The player who drew the card says a word, and then players take turns saying words that rhyme with that word. The first person who can’t think of a word or repeats a word must take a drink.
  • Ten: “Categories” – The player who drew the card chooses a category, such as types of fruit or colors. Players then take turns naming items in that category, and the first person who can’t think of an item or repeats an item must take a drink.
  • Jack: “Make a rule” – The player who drew the card makes up a new rule that everyone playing must follow. If someone breaks the rule, they must take a drink.
  • Queen: “Question master” – The player who drew the card becomes the “question master,” and any time they ask another player a question, that player must answer with a question. If a player fails to respond with a question, they must take a drink.
  • King: “Pour into the cup” – The player who drew the card pours some of their drink into the central cup. The player who draws the fourth and final king must drink the entire contents of the cup.
  1. The game continues until all the cards have been drawn and the final king has been played, or until everyone is too drunk to continue playing.

It’s worth noting that there are many variations of “Kings” with different rules, so you may want to clarify the specific rules before starting the game. And as always, be sure to drink responsibly and stay safe.

Flip Cup

Flip Cup is a popular team-based drinking game that is often played at parties or social gatherings. Here are the general steps on how to play:

  1. Players are divided into two or more teams, and each team lines up on opposite sides of a table. Each player has a cup filled with beer or another beverage.
  2. The game begins with a player from each team drinking their beverage and then attempting to flip their cup over so that it lands upside down on the table. The player must use their finger to flip the cup, and it must make a full rotation before landing on the table.
  3. Once a player successfully flips their cup, the next player on their team can begin drinking and flipping their cup. The game continues in this way, with players taking turns until every member of the team has successfully flipped their cup.
  4. The first team to finish flipping all of their cups wins the game.

There are a few variations of Flip Cup that you may come across, such as:

  • “Relay” Flip Cup, where players on each team take turns flipping their cups in a race to finish before the other team.
  • “Elimination” Flip Cup, where the last player to successfully flip their cup in each round is eliminated, and the game continues until one player or team is left standing.

As with any drinking game, be sure to drink responsibly and stay safe. Also, be sure to clean up any spilled beverages and broken cups after the game is over.

Never Have I Ever

“Never Have I Ever” is a popular drinking game that involves revealing embarrassing or wild experiences or facts about yourself. Here are the general steps on how to play:

  1. The game is typically played with three or more people. Players sit in a circle or around a table, and each person has a drink in front of them.
  2. The first player starts by making a statement beginning with “Never have I ever…” and then completing the sentence with something they have never done, such as “Never have I ever gone bungee jumping.”
  3. Any player in the group who has done the action described in the statement must take a sip of their drink.
  4. The turn then passes to the next player, who makes their own “Never have I ever” statement, and play continues in this way.
  5. The game can become more interesting as players reveal personal details or secrets. It’s important to keep the statements lighthearted and not too personal, and to respect other players’ boundaries.
  6. As the game progresses and players become more intoxicated, they may accidentally reveal too much information or make inappropriate statements. It’s important to keep the game fun and safe, and to watch out for signs of excessive drinking or discomfort in other players.

Overall, “Never Have I Ever” is a fun and easy game to play with friends or at parties, but it’s important to drink responsibly and stay safe.

Quarters

Quarters is a classic drinking game that is played with a quarter and a shot glass. Here are the general steps on how to play:

  1. Players sit around a table, and a shot glass is placed in the center of the table.
  2. Each player takes turns trying to bounce a quarter off the table and into the shot glass. If a player makes the shot, they can nominate another player to drink from the shot glass.
  3. If a player misses the shot, the next player takes a turn.
  4. If a player makes three shots in a row, they can create a “rule,” such as requiring players to use their non-dominant hand when bouncing the quarter.
  5. If a player accidentally bounces the quarter off the table and hits another player’s hand, that player must take a drink.
  6. If a player accidentally knocks over the shot glass, they must take a drink.
  7. Play continues in this way until all players are too drunk to continue, or until someone wins by completing a pre-determined number of successful shots.

There are a few variations of Quarters that you may come across, such as:

  • “Speed Quarters” – Players must bounce the quarter and make a shot as quickly as possible.
  • “Asshole” – This is a more complex game that involves ranking players based on their performance, and the “Asshole” must always pour drinks for the other players.

As with any drinking game, it’s important to drink responsibly and stay safe. Also, be sure to clean up any spilled beverages and broken glasses after the game is over.