Drinking card games have been popular since early civilization. It makes sense; humans love two things, games, and alcohol, and it should surprise no one that they love them together. However, it can be hard to find good drinking card games, as sometimes there’s too much drinking-to-game ratio or vice versa. The best drinking games are the ones where there’s just enough play to keep you entertained while not being so complicated that drunk you can’t keep up.
For the drinking games, we’re listing below you’ll need alcohol, at least one friend (or more), and no plans for tomorrow.
1. TOEPEN
Toepen is a 3-person drinking card game that can be played with up to 8 people. It is a trick-taking card game. Originating in the Netherlands, this game is also sometimes played as a gambling game when you add money to the play.
HOW TO PLAY
Each player is dealt a hand of cards, and the person left of the dealer starts the first trick. If possible, all following players must follow suit, and the person who plays the highest-ranking card wins the trick. All players who didn’t win lose a life. The game is played till a player loses 10 lives. This person buys a round for everyone, and a new game starts.
If you’re playing with money, then during a trick, a player may knock and increase the bid by one life. Other players may then fold, continue playing, or increase the bid.
2. KING’S CUP
A classic drinking game that you have probably played before is Kings Cup, also known as Ring of Fire. All you need is a deck of cards and plenty of drinks to play this game!
HOW TO PLAY
King’s Cup can be played with as few as two players. However, it is typically played with a larger group. It is one of the most common drinking card games, and everyone has their own version of the rules. If playing at your house, we recommend setting “house rules” to avoid confusion.
King’s Cup is unusual from the other two player-drinking card games because each card has a different associated rule. Some examples are: Ace typically means waterfall. This means each player starts drinking and doesn’t stop till the person who drew the card does, then the person to their left may stop. Another example is Jack, which involves the players playing a quick round of Never Have I Ever. All the cards offer a different mini-game to compete in. Check out our in-depth article on Kings Cup rules.
3. RIDE THE BUS
Ride the Bus is one of the drinking card games for four on our list, but it can be played with up to eight players. It consists of two parts and is especially fun because you get to assign players to drink.
HOW TO PLAY
In Ride the Bus, players play four rounds to get dealt a hand of four cards. Players guess specific parameters their card may fall under, and if they are wrong, the drink. Parameters may include things like red or black, higher or lower, and so on and so forth.
The second half of the game is building a pyramid. The pyramid is built face down, and while being flipped, players may place cards matching flipped values to give other players drinks. Once the pyramid is made, the player with the most cards in hand is the loser and must ride the bus, meaning answering the questions used in the first half of the game until they get all the questions correct. If they get one wrong, they must drink and start over.
4. HORSERACE
Horserace is a drinking card game with no limitations on players. This game is fun, especially if you have someone who can mimic a horse race announcer. Try not to spit out your drink from laughing so much.
HOW TO PLAY
A standard deck of cards is used to set up a horse race. The Aces are the horses in this drinking card game, and the remaining cards are used to determine the winner of the race. The players bet on which ace they think will win using the number of drinks they want to give out. Winners give out double that number while losers drink half their wager, plus any additional beverages were given to them by the winner.
5. UP AND DOWN THE RIVER
Up and Down the River is one of the simplest drinking card games to understand. It is playable with six or more players, and even the dealer gets to participate in this game.
HOW TO PLAY
Deal each player four cards, face up. Then take the deck and flip one card face up. This is called going “up the river.” If one of the player’s cards matches the rank of the card you flipped flipped, they drink. You must drink an increasing number of drinks for each flip. For example, on the first flip, players will drink one drink if they have a card that matches rank with the revealed one; on the second, two drinks, and so on.
After you draw four cards, you keep flipping but going “down the river.” Now, if you have a card that matches the flipped card’s rank, you give out four drinks. Then three on the next one, and so on.
At the end, the dealer shuffles the cards and lays them out face up while counting from one to 13. If one of the cards matches the number said, everyone drinks.
6. KEMPS
Kemps is a game for 2, 4, or 6 players. It is a team-based game and is especially popular in summer camps; however, the drinking aspect is removed.
HOW TO PLAY
Each team will compete to have one player acquire 4 of a kind. They must then signal to their partner, without altering the other teams, so that their partner can declare “Kemps!”.
If the other team catches your signal, they may call “counter Kemps” in order to try to steal your win. It’s a fun, tricky game full of funky signals and good laughs.
7. BLIND SQUIRREL
Blind Squirrel is a drinking game that uses both cards and dice. Drinks are distributed based on a player’s ability to guess what card will be drawn and how the dice will roll.
HOW TO PLAY
To play Blind Squirrel, one needs beer, hard liquor, a 54-card deck (52 cards + jokers), dice, and the ability to hold your liquor as well as shotgun a beer alone without shame. Have all active players gather around a table with the cards and dice. The alcohol should be within arm’s length.
The game begins with the dealer, after shuffling the deck, dealing the top card to the table face-up. Next, the dealer asks the player to their right:
- If the next card will be higher or lower than the first card.
- The exact next card that will be shown. For example, if the first card is a 6, the guesser may say the next card will be “high king.” This indicates the next card played will be higher than the six and will be a King, to be exact.
Once a guess is made, the dealer reveals the next card. If the guesser is wrong (when guessing either higher or lower), they drink, but it remains their turn. But, if the guesser is correct, they become the dealer. However, if they incorrectly guess the exact card, they must take a sip from their drink equal to the difference in value between the card guessed and the card shown. There are a few other rules when there is a tie or the jokers are drawn. You can read the full breakdown of this game on our Blind Squirrel rules.
8. HAPPY NINJA STAR
Happy Ninja Star is a drinking card game for any number of players. It is extremely easy to play, so perhaps it can be played later in the evening when players are having trouble understanding the more complex games.
HOW TO PLAY
This game ends once the whole deck has been played through. The goal is to throw the cards in a way that they land face up on the table; doing so starts a challenge with the next player in line, who must also land their card face up or drink up.
9. FE FI FO FUM (DRINKING GAME)
Fe Fi Fo Fum is typically a children’s game that has been modified into a drinking game. You chant,” Fe Fi Fo Fum” during the game, so try not to get confused and say the wrong thing!
HOW TO PLAY
The goal is to empty your hand the quickest. One player starts and lays down a card, and any player must lay down a card of the following rank and the same suit. Players take turns playing cards and chanting Fe Fi Fo Fum as they lay their cards down. The next player then says, “Giant’s bum,” and they get to start a new run with any card they want. Any king played will also reset the run.
Any player who messes up the order of words or lays down the wrong card must drink. Also, at the end of the game, the player with cards left in their hand must drink.
10. FRIENDS AND ENEMIES
Friends and Enemies is a great game to start the night, but be sure you drink responsibly. The game is playable with three or more players.
HOW TO PLAY
The game is super simple: someone plays a card, and the person they choose must drink accordingly, but beware, players may deflect cards or even ask others for help deflecting.
The dealer begins by dealing the cards equally and starting the game. The dealer starts by playing a card and assigning someone to drink. This person can either deflect by playing a matching rank card or ask for help from someone else. If nobody helps by playing a card, then the player drinks the amount of the card’s value. The play continues with the person who just drank.
11. ARROGANCE
Arrogance is a game for two or more players. The fun part about this game is that it is entirely based on luck. You can wager drinks and see how far you can push your luck without benign too cocky.
HOW TO PLAY
In Arrogance, each turn consists of a player wagering an amount of their drink by pouring it into a communal glass. Then, the player chooses red or black and flips the top from the deck of cards. If they guess correctly, the next player is up, and if they got it wrong, they must drink all of the contents of the communal glass. Good Luck.
12. GIVE AND TAKE
Give and Take is a card game for 3 to 8 players. The game is basically a drinking version of truth or dare, so it is better to play this game later in the evening once everyone is a bit tipsy.
HOW TO PLAY
Lay out two rows of six cards. The top row is for takes or truths. The bottom row is for dares or giveses. Each card represents a number of seconds to drink in order from 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and full beer.
The player will flip either a take or a give card and will need to either do a dare or tell a truth based on an activity or question determined by the group. If they choose not to, they must drink. After that player drinks, the next person will go. There are some special rules that you can check out in our Give and Take rules.
13. SOCIALS
Socials is a game specifically designed to make you drink. The rules are simple: choose a card. This makes it a great game to play without having to go into too much explanation of rules.
HOW TO PLAY
Socials can be played with any number of players. To play, have everyone sit or stand around a table. Shuffle the deck and scatter the cards across the table so everyone can access them. Each person then takes turns flipping a card over and doing the corresponding rule. Once all all the cards are flipped, the game ends. The rules for each card are as follows:
- Ace: Take a sip.
- Two: Take two sips.
- Three: Take three sips.
- Four: Give four sips to other players (you can split them up).
- Five: Give five sips to other players (you can split them up).
- Six: The player to your left drinks.
- Seven: The player to your right drinks.
- Eight: Give eight sips to other players (you can split them up).
- Nine: Everyone takes a sip.
- Ten: Everyone puts their thumb on the table; the last one to do so drinks.
- Jack: Finish your drink.
- Queen: Pick someone else to finish their drink.
- King: Everyone drinks in a “waterfall” effect, and players can’t stop until either their glass is empty or the player before them has stopped drinking.
- Joker: (If being used) Everyone finishes their drink.
14. ACE OF SPADES
Ace of Spades is a drinking game that can actually be played alone. Although, as with any other game it is just more fun with more people.
HOW TO PLAY
This may be one of the easiest games on our list. If playing alone, simply take a deck of cards and say, “Ace of spades,” and turn over the top card. If the card is not the Ace of Spades, then you drink. When playing with others, simply go around to each player, and they will do the same. You can also choose any other card to say aloud, but if you’re wrong, you drink.
15. ACROSS THE BRIDGE
Across the bridge can be played with any number of players as well. It is quite simple to play, but it can take unlucky players quite a while to actually cross the bridge.
HOW TO PLAY
Across the bridge is a set with ten cards placed face down in a line. This is the bridge. You will have to get across by flipping each card face up one by one. If the card is a numbered card, you can discard it and move ahead. However, if the card is a face card, then you need to drink the number of drinks according to the face value of the card. The values are:
- Jack – one sip
- Queen – two sips
- King – three sips
- Ace – four sips
The best part is that once you finish your sips for that card, you discard it but then add the same number of cards to the bridge as the sips you took. So, four cards for an Ace, three for a King, and so on. This extends the bridge and ends your turn. Now, the next player goes. The game ends once someone successfully crosses the bridge.
16. DICTATOR
Dictator is a fun game, but it can be hard to remember all the rules since each round is different. It can be played with any number of players. We don’t recommend playing with someone who likes power!
HOW TO PLAY
In Dictator, one player is chosen to be the dictator by drawing cards. The person with the highest card is the dictator for that round. The dictator gets to set the rules for the round. For example, this could be every red card: take two sips or finish your drink if you draw a joker. It’s entirely up to the dictator!
Next, the dictator deals cards equally among the group. If you have one of the cards that have a rule assigned, you must drink. However, if the dictator has any of the cards, he may assign those drinks to any player.
Once the round is over, the dictator makes a “game rule” that will be followed for the rest of the game. Then, a new dictator is chosen, and the game continues, still following the previous dictator’s game rule.
17. DROWN THE CLOWN
Drown the Clown is a game based on speed. As we know, Alcohol slows you down, so this game gets more and more fun as it progresses.
HOW TO PLAY
To start, choose a dealer, and they will pass out one card, face down, to each player. Once everyone has a card, everybody counts to three and fips their card over. You must quickly scan the cards, and if someone has a card that matches yours, you must point at them and yell, “Drown the clown!”
If you’re faster than the person you pointed at, they drink for the number of seconds of the card’s value, starting with Ace as one. So, if the matching cards are both sevens, your opponent drinks for seven seconds.
The dealer then deals again, and play continues. Since there are really no points in this game, play can go on forever, so it might be wise to stop after a few rounds.
18. LOOSE TONGUES
Yet another fun drinking card game where you have to be quick. This is a word game as much as it is a drinking game. So make sure your brain is working quickly when you decide to play this one.
HOW TO PLAY
In Loose Tongues, you will split up into pairs. The dealer then draws a card and shows it to your pair. You must then think of a word that starts with the same letter as the suit of the card. For example, if it is the seven of Hearts, then you need to think of a word that starts with H. If you’re faster than the other person, then they drink.
You can also make the game a bit more difficult by choosing categories for the words, such as animals or verbs that start with the letter. If you’re playing with lots of players, then try to give each player only three to five cards before moving on to the next pair.
19. BLOW CARDS
Blow cards is another game that doesn’t require too much brain power; however, it might require some good breathing techniques.
HOW TO PLAY
For this game, all you need is a bottle of beer or a glass filled with a drink. There is no limit to the number of players for Blow Cards. Stack all the cards on top of the bottle or glass and have everyone stand around it. Each person takes turns trying to blow only one card off the top of the glass. If you are successful and only blow one card off, everyone takes a drink, and the next player goes. If you don’t blow any or blow more than one card off, you must drink.
20. THE LADY HAS THE DECK
This game is sort of a boozy version of Old Maid. It is best played with three or more players and paired with your favorite drinks!
HOW TO PLAY
To play this game, you must remove three of the four queens from the deck. Then, shuffle the cards and place them in the center of the table. Each player takes turns drawing a card. If you’re unlucky enough to draw the only queen, you must either take a drink or do a dare.
You can always up the ante by saying you must take a shot, do a dare, or drink a horrible drink that is created before the game starts.
21. ESCALATION
Escalation is a fun game of chance that can come with big consequences! There is no limit to the number of players.
HOW TO PLAY
To play Escalation, choose a dealer to deal out all the cards face down. The dealer starts the game by flipping over a card and placing it in front of them. Then, the next player does the same. If the next card doesn’t match, then you keep going on to the next player. Once a card that matches the previous one is placed, the two players must drink as many sips as the value of the cards. The card values are as follows:
- Ace – one
- Two -10 – Face value
- Jacks – 11
- Queens – 12
- Kings – 13
If you really want to get wasted in this game, you can drink shots instead of sips, but that’s not recommended.
22. SPOONS
The beauty of spoons is that it is exactly the same as the original game but with booze added to make it more interesting.
HOW TO PLAY
Spoons is played with three to 12 players, a deck of cards, and, you guessed it, spoons. First, grab one less spoon than the number of players and place them in the center of the table. Next, deal out four cards to each player and place the rest of the cards facedown next to yourself.
You start the game by picking up a fifth card from the deck and discarding one card to the player on your left. This player then picks up the card and discards another from their hand to the player on their left. This should all be done very quickly and can get quite chaotic.
The goal is to create a hand of four of a kind or four cards of equal rank. Once you have one of these hands, you grab a spoon from the center of the table. As soon as one person grabs a spoon, everyone tries to grab one. The person left without a spoon must drink.
23. SLAPJACK
This is another game that is already fun without booze. It is a game of speed and coordination and obviously more fun when you are drunk!
HOW TO PLAY
Slapjack is quite a simple game. Deal out all the cards evenly to all players face down. Each player then takes turns flipping one card (away from themselves) face up in the center of the table to form a pile. If a jack is placed on the table, all players try to slap the jack and take all the cards from the center. The goal is to collect all the cards on the table.
If someone slaps a card that is not the jack, they must drink and place one of their cards on the center pile as a penalty.
24. MUSHROOM CUP
This is a game you may have seen floating around on the internet. It does involve a bit of coordination and also a strong stomach.
HOW TO PLAY
There is no limit to the number of players, but the more players there are, the harder it will be to drink. Allow us to explain. Place a large cup in the center of the table, and each player takes turns pouring some of their drink into the cup. Now, place the deck of cards in the center of the table, too.
Now, take turns drawing a card and balancing it on top of the center cup. As the pile gets higher, you must try not to knock off any cards from the cup as you place yours down. If you knock some cards down, you must add up the values of the cards and drink for that many seconds. Everyone else at the table gets to count. Suppose you’re unfortunate enough to drop all the cards from the cup. You have to drink everything that’s in the center cup.
25. DICE AND DECK
This is a game where you will need a pair of dice as well as a deck of cards. It’s a betting game, so you have the option of wagering drinks. Although, this can quickly backfire, so be careful.
HOW TO PLAY
This game is best played with three or more people. First, shuffle the cards and place them face down on the table. If you’re the first player, draw two cards from the deck and place them face up for everyone to see. Next, you will wager any number of sips you want.
Now, you roll the dice, and the total of the two dice must be between the two cards you drew. For example, if you drew a two and a seven, the total of the dice must be three, four, five, or six. If the dice total is not one of those cards, then you must drink the number of sips you wagered. If it is, then everyone else drinks that amount. Rolling a double is dangerous as the drink wager doubles!
DRINKING CARD GAMES WITH DIFFERENT DECKS
The rest of the games on the list are still drinking card games. However, you play them with a different deck of cards. Rather than a standard 52-card deck, you play these games with special cards specific to each game.
26. SOTALLY TOBER
Sotally Tober is a crazy card game for two or more players. The goal is to have the least amount of drinks, but it’s not as easy as it sounds.
HOW TO PLAY
Playing Sotally Tober is simple, but be careful, the drunker you get, the more challenging this drinking card game will be! Players take turns drawing wacky fun cards that can have players doing everything from showing off hidden talents to telling dirty little secrets.
27. POWER STRUGGLE
Power Struggle is a card game where the rules are constantly changing. When you’re not entirely sober, this can get quite tricky.
HOW TO PLAY
This game offers a wide variety of card packs for you to mix and match. The game is suitable for groups as small as two players and as large as 10 players. It’s a great game for parties, but beware, it is not for the faint of heart.
28. TRUTH OR DRINK
Truth or Drink is exactly what you think. It supports three to eight players and has a ton of interesting, thought-provoking, and downright embarrassing questions as your friend.
HOW TO PLAY
The rules are simple: answer truthfully or drink.
29. DOIN’ THE MOST
Doin’ The Most is a fantastic party game for 4 or more players. This game will have you dancing, singing, and laughing for the whole night.
HOW TO PLAY
Each player takes a turn being the shot caller, and the other players must follow the prompt in order to impress them. Draw prompts from one of the deck of cards. The winner gets a card, and all the other players drink.
30. THESE CARDS WILL GET YOU DRUNK
This is an amazing game that will do just as the title says. Best played with two to eight players. Be sure to have lots of drinks on hand.
HOW TO PLAY
This is one of the easiest games on the list. Simply draw a card and follow the instructions. Cards vary from “take a drink” to “everyone who can touch their toes without bending their knees drinks.”
31. YOU LAUGH YOU DRINK
This is one for the clowns in the group. If you have a natural talent for making others laugh, you will do well in this game. If not, well, you might get quite drunk.
HOW TO PLAY
Whatever you do, try not to laugh! In this awesome drinking card game, you simply pick a card and then pick someone as your target. You get 30 seconds to try and make them laugh while doing what the card tells you. If your target laughs, they drink. If not, then you must take a drink of shame.
32. DRUNK STONED OR STUPID
This game will get you tipsy, but you will hear the harsh truth of what your friends think of you! Best played with groups of friends who are just dying to insult eachother, Drunk Stoned Or Stupid is an excellent drinking card game!
HOW TO PLAY
Choose one person to be the judge. As the judge, you draw a card and read it aloud to the group. The group then decides which player has that toxic trait, for example, “sings but shouldn’t” and why.
The judge then listens to the explanations and makes the final decision on which player gets that card. The first person to collect seven cards loses.
33. TIPSY CHICKEN
Tipsy Chicken is not a game made for introverts. It will definitely test you in ways you never thought possible!
HOW TO PLAY
In this game, you must perform crazy dares in front of the group. If you are not brave enough, you get a chicken card and must follow its instructions. If you can go through with the dare, you get a GOAT card and earn points. The first player to 13 points wins!
Check out our list of adult card games like Cards Against Humanity for more recommendations!
OTHER TYPES OF DRINKING GAMES
We’ve given you a list of the best drinking card games out there. Not to worry, though. There are many more games out there that will get you tipsy without a deck of cards. Let’s go over a few.
- Caps is a drinking game for four players. Players split into two teams of two and try to toss caps into the other team’s cup. If they are successful, the other team gets to try and cancel the shot with a successful toss of their own. If they don’t make the shot, the two players must split a beer.
- Flip Cup is a drinking game for four or more players. The game uses teams of two players each. Teams line up at a table and relay-style; one teammate at a time will chug their drink and flip their cup. Once the first person finishes, the last person on the team does the same. The first team to finish wins.
- Liar’s Dice is a betting game where you bid drinks instead of money. It’s playable by any number of players. The game consists of rolling your dice in secret and guessing how many of a certain number of dice there are amongst all players. If someone calls you out and you’re wrong, you’ve lost. The last one remaining wins.
- A Yard of Ale is a drinking game where the goal is just to drink your beer as fast as possible. It uses special glasses that hold more beer and make it a challenge to drink. The last person to finish usually buys the next round.
Beer Pong is a classic drinking game for 2 or 4 players, where you’ll need tons of plastic cups and ping pong balls. Set up the cups in a pyramid on both sides of the table. Then teams take turns tossing a ping pong ball into one cup. The other team must drink it. The first team to clear their cups wins.
- Buffalo is less people playing a game and more a way of life. Players must always drink with their non-dominant hands. If you ever catch yourself or are caught drinking with your dominant hand, then drink.
- Biscuit is a game for three or more players. They roll dice to determine which player will be the biscuit, and then all players will drink based on what the biscuit rolls.
- Three-Man Drinking Game is a game for 3 to 8 players. The first person to roll a three on a single die becomes the three-man, and the next person rolls two dice. Players will drink based on the numbers rolled.
- Divaball is a drinking game for any number of players. The objective of the game is to have fun and get drunk, but not too drunk. Everyone gets 2 cups. Fill the first cup up with beer. Leave the second one empty. We will refer to something called “The Dance” in this description. This dance starts off as a simple spin; however, as you add rules to the game, you can make the dance more complex.
- Baseball is a drinking game for any number of players. The object of the game is to score more runs than the other team.
- Judge Judy is a drinking game for any number of players. Watch a marathon of the show, Judge Judy and drink depending on what happens on the show.
- Boat Race is a drinking game for any number of players. You drink beers in a relay race style before the opposing team.
- Quarters is a skill-based game where you try to bounce quarters into a glass. There are multiple quarters on the table at once, and if the player to your right makes the glass before you, you must drink.
- Battleship is a drinking game similar to the real game. Players take turns trying to bounce quarters into their opponent’s cups to sink their battleships.
- 7/11 Doubles is a drinking game for any number of players. The object of the game is to take turns chugging beer while another player tries to roll a 7, 11, or double before they finish.
- Never Have I Ever is a fun social drinking game for four or more players. Players sit in a circle, declare, “Never have I ever…” and fill in the blank. If another player has done this, they put down one of their ten fingers and must drink.
SUMMARY OF DRINKING GAMES
Drinking games are some of the best games to play with a group of friends. They’re easy-going and lighthearted and can lead to some seriously fun or really embarrassing memories. A drinking card game can take a boring night of drinks to an exciting new level and usually ends with everyone having a good time.
We hope you enjoyed our list of the best drinking games. As with any fun activity, though, please partake in it responsibly. Know your limits, and if you find yourself needing to cool down for an hour or two, try out some of our other game lists, such as the 12 best solo board games.
If you would like to see even more drinking games, check out our blog post about the Drinking Olympics!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Which Are the Best Drinking Card Games for Four Players?
The best drinking card games for four players are Ring of Fire, Doin’ The Most, and Blind Squirrel.
Which Are the Best Drinking Card Games for Three Players?
The best drinking game for 3-players is Arrogance, or You Laugh, You Drink.
Which Are the Best Drinking Card Games for Two Players?
The best two-player games are King’s Cup and Sotally Tober.
Which Are the Easiest Drinking Card Games to Play?
Doin’ the Most and Truth or Drink are the easiest drinking card games to play.