Drinking card games turn an ordinary deck into a social ice-breaker: players draw or play cards, and the cards trigger small forfeits, sips or party challenges instead of points. They are easy to learn, need almost no equipment and work as well with soft drinks as with alcohol. This guide explains what the most popular games are, how they work, the main types of card game they draw on, and how to run a session responsibly.
What Drinking Card Games Are
A drinking card game is any card game where the outcome of a hand or a drawn card assigns a light-hearted penalty — a sip, a dare, a new house rule — rather than a score. Most are built on top of ordinary card mechanics that have existed for centuries. Playing cards themselves are generally traced to Tang-dynasty China around the 9th century, spreading along trade routes into the Islamic world and then Europe by the late 1300s. The drinking element is a modern, informal layer added on top: the games below are folk traditions, so rules vary from group to group and there is rarely one “official” version.
Because the penalties usually involve alcohol, these are strictly adult activities. In New Zealand the legal age to buy alcohol is 18, and every game works just as well with water, juice or a non-alcoholic drink for anyone who prefers to opt out.
Key Points
- What they are: ordinary card games where drawn or played cards trigger sips, dares or house rules instead of points.
- Kit needed: usually just a standard 52-card deck and cups; no special equipment.
- Best-known games: Kings Cup, President (Asshole), Pyramid/Beeramid, Screw Your Neighbour, Ride the Bus.
- Group size: most play best with about 3–8 people.
- Adults only: the NZ legal age to buy alcohol is 18, and every game also works on soft drinks.
- Rules vary: these are folk games, so agree on your version before you start.
Popular Drinking Card Games
A handful of games show up at almost every party because the rules are simple and the pace is quick. Here are the classics and what makes each one different.
- Kings Cup (Ring of Fire): Cards are spread face-down around a central cup. Players take turns flipping a card, and each rank triggers a set action. It is the best-known game of the group; you can read more about the history of Kings Cup for background on how it spread.
- President (also called Asshole): A shedding game where players race to get rid of all their cards. The first player out becomes “President” for the next round and the last becomes the lowest rank, who must hand over their best cards — a swing of status that drives the forfeits.
- Pyramid / Beeramid: Cards are laid out in a pyramid and flipped one row at a time. Players hold their own cards and “assign” drinks when their card matches the one turned over, with bluffing allowed.
- Screw Your Neighbour: Everyone gets one card and tries not to hold the lowest, passing or swapping around the table before a reveal.
- Ride the Bus: A guessing game (higher/lower, red/black, in-between) where wrong guesses build up forfeits.
The table below compares them at a glance. For an UNO-based spin on the same idea, see our ultimate guide to drunk UNO.
Game Comparison
| Game | Players | What you need | How it works | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kings Cup | 3–8+ | Deck, central cup | Flip cards from a ring; each rank triggers an action | Easy |
| President (Asshole) | 4–7 | Deck | Shed all your cards to climb rank; last place hands over best cards | Medium |
| Pyramid / Beeramid | 3–8 | Deck | Match your hidden cards to a flipped pyramid; bluffing allowed | Easy |
| Screw Your Neighbour | 2–6 | Deck | Avoid holding the lowest card by swapping around the table | Easy |
| Ride the Bus | 2–6 | Deck | Guess higher/lower and red/black; wrong guesses stack forfeits | Easy |
How Kings Cup Works, Card by Card
Kings Cup is the game most people picture first, so it is worth knowing the standard card assignments. Set an empty cup in the centre, spread a full 52-card deck face-down around it, and take turns drawing. Common meanings include:
- Ace – Waterfall: everyone drinks in sequence; you can stop only once the person before you does.
- 2 – You: the drawer picks someone else to take a sip.
- 3 – Me: the drawer takes a sip.
- 4 & 7 – Floor / Heaven: everyone touches the floor (4) or reaches up (7); the slowest reacts drinks.
- 8 – Mate: pick a partner who drinks whenever you do.
- 10 – Categories: name a theme; players take turns until someone stalls.
- Jack – Rule: the drawer invents a rule everyone must follow.
- Queen – Questions: answer every question with another question or you drink.
- King – the Cup: each of the first three Kings adds a splash to the central cup; whoever draws the fourth King finishes it, ending the round.
Groups swap these around constantly, so agree on your version before you start. The 5-and-6 “guys/girls” rules in particular are often replaced with more inclusive alternatives.
The Main Types of Card Game
Most drinking games borrow a mechanic from one of the established card-game families. Knowing the type makes any new game quicker to pick up:
- Shedding games reward getting rid of your cards first. UNO, Crazy Eights and President all belong here.
- Trick-taking games have each player contribute a card per round, competing to “win” the trick — the family behind Whist and Bridge.
- Matching / melding games such as Rummy focus on collecting sets or runs.
- Card-exchange games centre on swapping cards with the table or a shared pool to improve your hand, as in Screw Your Neighbour.
- Hand-comparison games like Poker rank whole hands against each other.
Setting Up a Game: General Steps
The exact steps depend on the game, but nearly all follow the same shape:
- Choose the game and agree on the rules and any house variations out loud before dealing.
- Shuffle a standard deck; deal or lay out cards as the game requires.
- Decide the drink for the session — and make sure non-alcoholic options are on the table for anyone who wants them.
- Set turn order and play, keeping penalties light so the game stays fun rather than a race to drink.
If you want games that keep score properly rather than assign forfeits, our roundups of fun card games and the best card games are good starting points.
Playing Safely
Because these games encourage drinking on a timer, a few habits keep the night enjoyable and low-risk. Health guidance consistently recommends pacing yourself, alternating alcoholic drinks with water, and eating beforehand to slow absorption. Practical steps for any session include:
- Let players sip rather than skol, and allow anyone to swap in a soft drink at any time without comment.
- Never pressure someone to drink; “I’m on water” should always be an accepted move.
- Keep water and snacks within reach throughout.
- Sort out safe transport — a lift, taxi or place to stay — before anyone starts.
- Watch for anyone becoming unwell and stop the game if needed.
Hosting Tips
A little planning makes a card night flow. Pick a couple of games that suit the group size, keep the rules written down where everyone can see them, and start with a simpler game before moving to one that needs more attention. A playlist, easy food and a clear table go a long way, and mixing in a non-drinking game or two keeps everyone included. For more party ideas, browse our party games and adult party games collections.
Who These Games Suit
Drinking card games work best with small-to-medium groups of adults who already know each other or want an easy way to break the ice — flat-warmings, birthdays, reunions and casual get-togethers. They reward conversation and quick thinking rather than skill, so newcomers are never at a real disadvantage. Anyone who would rather not drink can play every one of them on soft drinks and still be fully part of the fun.
Responsible Drinking
This article is general information about how these games are played, not encouragement to drink or advice on alcohol use. Drinking games can make it easy to lose track of how much you have consumed, so drink slowly, know your limits and stop whenever you want. You must be 18 or over to buy alcohol in New Zealand. If you or someone you know needs support, the free, confidential Alcohol & Drug Helpline is available on 0800 787 797, and Cheers.org.nz and alcohol.org.nz offer practical guidance on lower-risk drinking.
Sources
- David Parlett — The Chinese “Leaf” Game (history of playing cards)
- Wargamer — Kings Cup rules and card assignments
- VinePair — The history of Kings Cup
- CNN Business — UNO history and popularity
- Alcohol & Drug Helpline (New Zealand)
- alcohol.org.nz — lower-risk drinking advice
- Cheers.org.nz — safer drinking choices
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best drinking card games for parties?
Kings Cup, President (Asshole), Pyramid, Screw Your Neighbour and Ride the Bus are the most popular because the rules are simple and the pace keeps everyone involved. They all work with a standard deck and can be played on soft drinks too.
How do you play Kings Cup?
Place an empty cup in the centre and spread a deck face-down around it. Players take turns flipping a card, and each rank triggers an action — a 2 means you pick someone to drink, an Ace is a waterfall, and so on. The first three Kings each add to the central cup; whoever draws the fourth King drinks it and the round ends.
What are the rules for President?
President is a shedding game: players race to get rid of all their cards, playing equal or higher than the previous card and matching the number laid down. The first player out becomes President for the next round and the last-placed player deals and hands their best cards to the President.
Do you need alcohol to play these games?
No. Every game here works with water, juice or any non-alcoholic drink. The cards drive the challenges and forfeits, so the game plays exactly the same whatever is in the cup.
How many players do drinking card games need?
Most work best with about three to eight players. Kings Cup and President scale comfortably across that range, while one-on-one options like Screw Your Neighbour can run with just a couple of people, though a larger group adds to the atmosphere.
