A simple deck of cards can be the catalyst for an unforgettable night of fun, camaraderie, and a touch of friendly competition. By infusing classic card games with a drinking twist, you can turn an ordinary deck into the life of the party. Here are five of the best drinking games you can play with a deck of cards, guaranteed to add an extra level of excitement to your gatherings.
1. Kings: The Ultimate Royal Revelry
Kings, also known as Kings Cup, is a classic party game that promises loads of laughs and plenty of sips. Each card in the deck corresponds to a unique rule, such as “Take a drink,” “Choose someone to drink,” or “Everyone takes a drink.” As cards are drawn, the rules keep changing, leading to hilarious consequences. The ultimate hilarity comes when someone draws the fourth king, which means they must pour a little of their drink into the central “King’s Cup.” The person who draws the last king has to down the concoction.
2. Higher or Lower: Intuition and Imbibing
Test your card-predicting skills with Higher or Lower, a game that combines intuition and strategy. One player draws a card from the deck and shows it to everyone. The next player has to guess whether the next card drawn will be higher or lower in value. If they guess correctly, the game continues; if not, they take a sip. The longer you play, the trickier the guesses become, leading to a cascade of sips and suspense.
3. Pyramid: Building Blocks of Revelry
Transform the classic solitaire game Pyramid into an exciting drinking game. Arrange the cards in a pyramid shape, face down, with one card at the top, two in the row beneath, and so on. Players take turns flipping over cards, and for each pair of cards that add up to 13 (e.g., 7 and 6), everyone else takes a sip. The higher up the pyramid you go, the more challenging—and rewarding—the matches become.
4. Red or Black: A Toast to Chance
Simplicity meets suspense in the game of Red or Black. One player draws a card and keeps it hidden. The others must guess whether the next card drawn will be red or black. If their guess is wrong, they take a sip; if it’s right, the card holder takes a sip. With each turn, the tension and excitement escalate as players put their luck to the test.
5. Spades: Trick-Taking Tipple
Give the classic game of Spades a boozy twist by adding drinking elements. Players bid on the number of tricks they think they can take in a round, and the game plays out as usual. However, if you fail to meet your bid, you take a sip for each trick you’re short. This adds an extra layer of strategy as players balance their bidding skills with their drinking limits.
With these five drinking games designed for a standard deck of cards, you’ll have the ingredients for an unforgettable night of fun and laughter. Remember to play responsibly and ensure that everyone enjoys the games in moderation. So shuffle the deck, gather your friends, and let the card games and drinks flow!
