The Best Drinking Games — Rules & Ideas for Every Party
Complete rules for the most popular drinking games, plus prompts from our app. From Kings Cup to Beer Pong, Flip Cup to Ride the Bus — everything you need for your next party. Drink responsibly, 21+ only.
Kings Cup (Ring of Fire)
The classic card-based drinking game. Place a cup in the center surrounded by a face-down deck. Players draw cards, and each card has a rule.
Rules
- Ace — Waterfall: Everyone starts drinking. You can't stop until the person before you stops.
- 2 — You: Pick someone to drink.
- 3 — Me: You drink.
- 4 — Floor: Everyone touches the floor. Last person drinks.
- 5 — Guys: All guys drink.
- 6 — Chicks: All girls drink.
- 7 — Heaven: Point to the sky. Last person to point drinks.
- 8 — Mate: Pick a partner. They drink whenever you drink (and vice versa).
- 9 — Rhyme: Say a word. Go around the circle rhyming. First to fail drinks.
- 10 — Categories: Name a category. Go around naming items. First to fail drinks.
- Jack — Make a Rule: Create a rule that lasts the entire game.
- Queen — Question Master: You become QM. Anyone who answers your questions drinks.
- King — Pour: Pour some of your drink into the center cup. The person who draws the 4th King drinks the center cup.
Beer Pong
The legendary table game. Arrange 10 cups in a triangle on each end of a table. Take turns throwing ping pong balls into the opponent's cups.
Rules
- Set up 10 cups in a pyramid (4-3-2-1) on each side of a table, filled with beer or water.
- Teams of 2 take turns throwing ping pong balls at the opposing cups.
- If a ball lands in a cup, the opposing team drinks it and removes it.
- Both teammates sink on the same turn? 'Balls back' — you get another round.
- You can request a re-rack (rearrangement) twice per game.
- If a ball bounces in, it counts as 2 cups — but the opponent can swat bounces.
- The team that eliminates all opponent cups first wins.
- Redemption: the losing team gets one last chance to tie it up.
Flip Cup
A relay-race drinking game. Two teams line up on opposite sides of a table. Drink and flip your cup before the next teammate can go.
Rules
- Divide into two equal teams, lined up on opposite sides of a table.
- Fill each cup with a drink (equal amounts).
- On 'Go', the first players chug their drink.
- After finishing, place the cup upside-down on the table edge and flick it so it flips right-side-up.
- Once your cup lands, the next teammate goes.
- First team to have all members finish and flip wins the round.
- Best of 3 or 5 rounds for the full game.
Power Hour
Take a shot of beer every 60 seconds for one hour. That is 60 shots — roughly 6 beers. Simple, brutal, effective.
Rules
- Set a timer or use a Power Hour playlist that changes songs every 60 seconds.
- Every time the song changes (every 60 seconds), take a shot of beer.
- 60 shots of beer over 60 minutes. It sounds easy — it is not.
- Anyone who misses a shot, spills, or quits faces a penalty decided by the group.
- Variation: Century Club — 100 shots in 100 minutes for the brave.
Ride the Bus
A multi-round card game where wrong guesses mean drinks. The loser at the end 'rides the bus' — a brutal final round.
Rules
- Round 1 — Red or Black: Guess the color of your card. Wrong? Drink 1.
- Round 2 — Higher or Lower: Guess if your next card is higher or lower. Wrong? Drink 2.
- Round 3 — In Between or Outside: Guess if your card falls between or outside your first two. Wrong? Drink 3.
- Round 4 — Guess the Suit: Guess the suit. Wrong? Drink 4.
- After all rounds, the person with the most drinks 'rides the bus'.
- Riding the Bus: Lay out 10 cards face-down. Flip them one at a time. Face card? Start over and drink.
- You escape the bus when you flip all 10 without hitting a face card.
Quarters
Bounce a quarter off the table and into a shot glass. Make it? Tell someone to drink. Miss? Your turn passes.
Rules
- Place a shot glass in the center of the table.
- Take turns bouncing a quarter off the table, trying to land it in the glass.
- Make it? Choose someone to drink. Make three in a row? Create a rule.
- Miss? Next player's turn.
- If you knock over the glass, finish your drink.
Drinking Game Tips & Etiquette
Hydrate Between Rounds
Alternate alcoholic drinks with water. Your future self will thank you.
No Pressure, Ever
Nobody should be forced to drink. Always respect when someone says pass.
Eat Before You Play
Playing on an empty stomach is a recipe for disaster. Snack it up.
Plan Your Ride
Never drink and drive. Designate a driver, call a rideshare, or stay the night.
Sub With Non-Alcoholic
These games are just as fun with mocktails, soda, or water. Inclusion wins.
Know Your Limits
The goal is fun, not the ER. Know when to slow down and enjoy the vibe.