Gathering with friends for a night of laughter and fun often calls for engaging activities that bring everyone together. Drinking games using a standard deck of cards are a fantastic way to break the ice, encourage social interaction, and create lasting memories.
These games are not only easy to set up but also cater to a wide range of preferences and skill levels, making them perfect for any party atmosphere. Whether you’re looking for something casual or a game that adds a flirty twist to your evening, card games offer a versatile solution.
In addition to classic favorites like Kings and Screw the Dealer, consider adding a unique party game like "Pick Me Up," available on our website. With its focus on humor and flirtation, it’s sure to keep the energy high. Let’s explore some of the best drinking games that will transform your gathering into an unforgettable experience!
1. Kings
Overview: Kings is a classic drinking game that involves creating a circle of cards. Each card drawn corresponds to a specific action, making it a game filled with surprises.
How to Play:
- Place a cup in the center of the table and spread the deck of cards in a circle around it.
- Players take turns drawing a card and performing the action associated with that card:
- Ace: Waterfall – everyone starts drinking at the same time; you can only stop when the person before you stops.
- 2: You – the player can choose someone to drink.
- 3: Me – the player must take a drink.
- 4: Floor – the last player to touch the floor drinks.
- 5: Guys – all guys drink.
- 6: Chicks – all girls drink.
- 7: Heaven – last player to raise their hand drinks.
- 8: Mate – choose a mate to drink with you for the rest of the game.
- 9: Rhyme – say a word, and everyone must come up with a rhyme; the first one who fails drinks.
- 10: Categories – pick a category, and players take turns naming something in that category; the first to fail drinks.
- Jack: Make a rule – create a new rule that everyone must follow.
- Queen: Question master – if someone answers a question you ask, they drink.
- King: Pour – pour some of your drink into the central cup; the player who draws the fourth King must drink from the cup.
This game combines elements of chance and social interaction, making it perfect for breaking the ice at parties.
2. Drunk Jenga
Overview: While Jenga usually involves wooden blocks, you can adapt it to a card game. Instead of physical blocks, use cards to create your own version.
How to Play:
- Assign a drinking action to each card (e.g., hearts mean drink, spades mean pick someone to drink, etc.).
- Players take turns drawing a card and performing the action.
- You can also stack the cards into a tower and remove them as if playing Jenga, but make sure to keep the drinks flowing!
To make it even more interesting, consider using pickup lines on the cards. For example, if you draw a heart, say, "Are you a magician? Because every time I look at you, everyone else disappears!"
This twist adds humor and encourages flirty banter among players.
3. High or Low
Overview: High or Low is a straightforward game that tests players’ luck and can lead to some fun drinking moments.
How to Play:
- One player starts by revealing the top card of the deck.
- The next player must guess whether the next card will be higher or lower than the one shown.
- If they guess correctly, the game continues. If they guess wrong, they take a drink.
- Players can continue until someone decides to stop, or you can set a number of rounds.
This game is simple yet thrilling, especially when players start to doubt their instincts. It's a great way to loosen up and have some fun with friends.
4. Screw the Dealer
Overview: This game combines elements of guessing and drinking, creating an atmosphere of excitement and suspense.
How to Play:
- One player is designated as the dealer and draws a card from the deck, keeping it hidden from the others.
- Players take turns guessing the card's value. If they guess correctly, the dealer drinks. If they guess wrong, they drink.
- After three incorrect guesses, the dealer reveals the card. The player who guessed the closest can give out drinks equal to the card’s value (face cards count as 10).
- Play continues until everyone has had a turn as the dealer.
This game keeps everyone involved and is perfect for larger gatherings. The element of chance keeps the excitement going!
5. Red or Black
Overview: Red or Black is one of the simplest drinking games to play, requiring only a deck of cards and a willingness to take a chance.
How to Play:
- The dealer shuffles the deck and shows the top card without revealing its value.
- Players must guess whether the next card will be red or black.
- If a player guesses incorrectly, they take a drink. If they guess correctly, they can choose someone else to drink.
- Continue until the deck is exhausted or players decide to stop.
This game is all about luck and is easy for anyone to join in, making it ideal for mixed groups.
6. Pyramid
Overview: Pyramid is a strategic drinking game that involves a pyramid of cards and some clever guesswork.
How to Play:
- Create a pyramid structure using cards faced down, with the base having seven cards, and each subsequent row having one less.
- Players take turns flipping the top card of the pyramid and can either drink or assign drinks based on the value of the card.
- The game continues until all the cards are revealed, and players drink according to the number of cards they flipped.
The anticipation of what card will be revealed next adds an element of thrill, especially when it leads to unexpected surprises.
7. 21
Overview: This game is a drinking twist on the classic counting game. It’s simple, engaging, and perfect for larger groups.
How to Play:
- Players sit in a circle and take turns counting from 1 to 21.
- The twist is that for each multiple of 3, players must say “buzz” instead of the number, and for multiples of 5, they say “fizz.” For multiples of both, they say “buzz fizz.”
- If a player makes a mistake, they take a drink. The last person to reach 21 becomes the “loser” and takes a drink.
This game encourages quick thinking and keeps everyone on their toes!
8. 7, 11, Doubles
Overview: This fast-paced game involves quick counting and drinking, making it great for parties.
How to Play:
- Players sit in a circle and count from 1 to 21.
- The catch is that when someone reaches 7 or 11, they must say “drink” instead of the number. If a player says the same number as another player, they must both drink.
- If anyone makes a mistake, they take a drink.
This game is all about keeping up with the group and adds a competitive edge to the drinking fun.
9. Flip Cup with Cards
Overview: Flip Cup is a popular drinking game that can be easily adapted to include a deck of cards for added excitement.
How to Play:
- Each player has a cup filled with a drink and a card faced down.
- Players take turns flipping their cups after revealing the card. The goal is to guess whether the next card will be higher or lower.
- If they guess wrong, they take a drink. If they guess right, they can assign a drink to someone else.
The added element of card flipping keeps players engaged and can lead to some amusing outcomes.
10. Pick Up the Deck
Overview: This game is a fun way to incorporate card selection into drinking, encouraging both skill and luck.
How to Play:
- Spread the deck of cards face down on a table.
- Players take turns picking a card. Each number corresponds to a drink (e.g., 1 = 1 sip, 2 = 2 sips).
- Face cards can have special rules, such as “king = waterfall” or “queen = choose someone to drink.”
This game combines luck with social interaction, making it a perfect addition to any drinking game lineup.
Conclusion
Using a standard deck of cards opens up a world of fun drinking games that are sure to enhance any gathering. From classic games like Kings and Screw the Dealer to unique twists like Drunk Jenga and 21, these games cater to various group sizes and preferences.
For a light-hearted addition, don’t forget to include "Pick Me Up," a party game focused on flirtation and humor, available on our website. It’s perfect for breaking the ice and getting everyone involved. So, gather your friends, pour your favorite drinks, and get ready for an unforgettable night of fun and laughter with these card-based drinking games!
