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How to make Left Right Center a drinking game (2026) — the chip-passing classic with sip stakes, not a second full LCR tournament rulebook. Use dice + chips as usual, then add light drink (or soft-token) consequences when chips move.
Related: Yahtzee drinking game · standard-deck drinking games · King's Cup rules · party games for small groups.
The game you need: LCR Left Center Right
The original LCR tin with the three special dice and chips. It plays three or more and costs about $9.
What LCR-drink is (and is not)
Left Right Center is a light dice game: roll, pass chips left/right/center, last chips standing wins. The drinking variant adds a sip (or soft token) when you pass chips or land in the center pot — it is not a strategy masterclass. If you only want the dry chip game, skip the drink layer and keep the same dice.
What you need
- Players: 3+ (better with 5–8).
- Dice: LCR dice or labeled D6 (L / R / C / dot).
- Chips: 3 per player to start (poker chips, candy, coins).
- Drinks or soft tokens: alcohol optional — water counts.
- Table space: center pot zone everyone can reach.
Base LCR in 60 seconds
- Each player starts with 3 chips.
- On your turn, roll one die per chip you still hold (max 3 dice).
- L = pass one chip left. R = pass one chip right. C = chip to center pot. Dots = keep.
- Players with zero chips stay in — they can receive chips later.
- Last player holding chips wins (center pot is out of play).
Drinking layer (house rules that stay light)
Pick one stake style before round one. Do not stack all of them.
- Pass sip: when you pass a chip L or R, that neighbor takes a tiny sip (or soft token).
- Center sip: when you put a chip in the center, you sip.
- Winner toast: table cheers; winner assigns one group sip or chooses soda.
- Soft mode: every “sip” is a pretzel / chip into a shared bowl — same pacing, no alcohol.
- Hard cap: max one drink consequence per turn so the game does not become a race.
Host tips
- Teach dry first — one chip round with zero drinks, then add stakes.
- Watch the empty-handed — they are still in; do not eject them.
- Noise: dice + cheers get loud; apartment-friendly volumes help.
- Encore: when chips are done, deal King's Cup Extreme or Do or Drink.
- Dice cousin: for score-sheet drinkers, see Yahtzee as a drinking game.
Common mistakes
- Forcing big drinks on every L/R/C — the game overruns fast.
- Removing zero-chip players from the circle.
- Mixing unclear custom faces on dice without a legend card.
- Starting drink stakes before anyone understands base LCR.
- Using glass bottles as “chips.”
Friendly LCR-drink variants
- Candy stakes: chips are candy; “sip” means eat one — great for dry offices.
- Center jackpot toast: only center placements drink; L/R stay dry.
- Team LCR: partners share a chip pool across the table.
- Sudden death: when two players remain, each roll uses max dice and double soft stakes.
- Dice flight: after two LCR winners, move to Yahtzee drinking house rules.
Why keep a boxed encore nearby
LCR-drink is wonderful for ten chaotic minutes and then it plateaus. A boxed deck like King's Cup Extreme or Do or Drink gives the night a second act without inventing more dice faces.
FAQ
Can we play LCR-drink without alcohol?
Yes — soft tokens or snacks keep the same pass/center rhythm.
What should we play after?
King's Cup Extreme for a card circle, or Yahtzee if the table likes dice score sheets.
Is this the same as a full LCR rules guide?
This page covers the drinking house rules. Base chip movement stays the classic L / R / C pattern above.
