Playing Kings card game drinking involves drawing cards and performing actions associated with each card, usually involving drinking based on the rules.
Gather your friends, grab a deck of cards, and some drinks, because tonight we’re diving into a classic party game! Ever wondered exactly how to play kings card game drinking? It’s easier than you think, and guarantees a fun, slightly chaotic evening. Each card has a specific drinking rule.
The game continues until the four Kings are drawn, with the final one making everyone drink the “King’s Cup”, a central cup filled throughout the game. This social card game gets everyone involved. Prepare for laughs and possibly some regrettable decisions!
How to Play Kings Card Game Drinking
Okay, so you’re ready to dive into the fun world of the Kings card game drinking! It’s a super popular game for parties, get-togethers, or just a silly night in with friends. Kings, sometimes called Circle of Death or Ring of Fire, is easy to learn but can lead to some hilarious moments. The basic idea is to draw cards, and each card has a specific rule related to drinking. Let’s break it down step-by-step so you can become a Kings master!
Getting Ready to Play
Before you start slinging cards, you need a few things to ensure a smooth game. Don’t worry, it’s not much!
What You’ll Need
A Deck of Cards: Any standard 52-card deck will work just fine. Make sure all the cards are there and not bent or sticky (unless that’s part of the fun, haha!).
Drinks: This is a drinking game, after all! Have your chosen beverages ready. It could be beer, cocktails, wine, or even non-alcoholic drinks. Make sure everyone has something they enjoy.
A Large Cup (The King’s Cup): This is the centerpiece of the game! You’ll place this cup in the middle of the playing area. It can be a pint glass, a big mug, or whatever works best for your group.
Players: You need at least two people, but the more the merrier! The game works best with 3 or more participants, it’s more fun.
A Flat Surface: A table or floor where everyone can easily reach the cards and the King’s Cup.
Setting Up the Game
1. Gather your crew: Get everyone together around the playing area.
2. Place the King’s Cup: Put the large cup in the center of your playing surface.
3. Shuffle the cards: Mix up the deck really well.
4. Spread the cards: Lay the cards face down in a circle around the King’s Cup. Some people like to make a messy circle, others a neat one. It’s up to you! Just ensure the cards are touching, with no big gaps so everyone can reach them easily.
5. Get your drinks ready: Make sure everyone has their chosen beverage in hand (or nearby).
The Rules of Kings: Card by Card
Here’s the most important part: what each card means! The rules can vary slightly from group to group, but here’s the most common set of rules. Remember these and you are set for a game of Kings.
The Basics: How it Works
Players take turns picking cards from the circle around the King’s Cup. When a player picks a card, they turn it face-up and follow the rule of that card. It’s important to follow the rules diligently to make the game engaging and fun! Let’s go through every card in detail now.
Ace: Waterfall
When someone draws an Ace, everyone starts drinking. The person who drew the ace starts, and the drinking continues around the circle of players. No one can stop drinking until the person next to them stops. Think of it as a “waterfall” of drinks flowing down the line. This can be pretty intense, especially if a slow drinker is before you, so be prepared.
Two: You
If you draw a two, then you get to choose who drinks. Pick any player you want. This is a good card to use to target someone who is not paying attention. Be strategic in your choice of whom to make drink.
Three: Me
When you pull a three, you need to take a drink. Simple as that. It’s your turn to experience the consequences of the game! Take a sip, then continue on.
Four: Floor
The rule for four is that everyone has to touch the floor, the last person to do so drinks. This leads to a frantic scramble to touch the ground! You can touch the floor with a hand, a foot, a head, whatever. As long as any part of you reaches the ground, you’re safe. The person who is the last to reach the floor will have to take a drink.
Five: Guys (or Five: Hand)
All the men (or whoever identifies as a guy) drink when a five is drawn, this is a simple rule. If you’re playing with a group that doesn’t have a lot of guys, some people use a “high five” rule where everyone has to give a high five. The last person to raise their hand and high five takes a sip of their drink. Just make sure everyone knows which “five” rule you are playing.
Six: Chicks (or Six: Thumb Master)
Just like the five rule, all the women (or anyone who identifies as a chick) take a drink if a six is drawn. Alternatively, this card can also be used to initiate “thumb master”. When someone plays the “Six”, they become the thumb master. They can place their thumb on the table at any time, and everyone else has to copy them as quickly as they can. The last person to put their thumb on the table drinks. The thumb master continues until the next six is drawn. This makes it so you need to be constantly paying attention, even when it is not your turn.
Seven: Heaven
Everyone must point up to the sky when seven is drawn, the last person to do so drinks. It’s like the “Four: Floor” rule, but this time, you are reaching for the sky instead of the ground. Make sure you can’t already reach it! Raise up your arm and point your finger or hand towards the heavens. Make sure you are not the last one doing so or you’ll need to drink.
Eight: Mate
When an eight is drawn, you have to choose a drinking mate. Your chosen mate will drink every time you drink for the rest of the game and vice versa. This can be a beneficial card if your mate doesn’t drink much, but it can be a heavy drinking burden if they are heavy drinkers! Choose wisely.
Nine: Rhyme
If you draw a nine, you get to say a word, and the person to your left has to say a word that rhymes with it. You keep going around the circle rhyming until someone can’t think of a rhyme, or they mess one up. That person then has to take a drink.
Ten: Categories
When a ten is drawn, you choose a category, like “types of cars,” “animals,” or “movies.” Then, going around the circle, everyone must name something that fits in the category. The first person who can’t come up with something, or makes a mistake, drinks. If you play the categories rule with a bit of a theme in mind, it can lead to fun conversations with a bit of a challenge included as well.
Jack: Make a Rule
This is where things can get really interesting. If you draw a jack, you get to make a rule. This rule applies to everyone, and it lasts until the next jack is drawn. Rule examples include having to drink with your left hand or not being able to say the word “drink” for the rest of the game. Rules can make things fun. Get creative!
Queen: Question Master
When a Queen is drawn, the person who drew the card becomes the question master. When someone is the question master, they are able to ask questions to the other players in the game. If a player answers the question, the question master is able to make them take a drink. They keep this position until the next queen is drawn. The question master role can become chaotic quickly.
King: Pour Into the King’s Cup
Each time a king is drawn, the player who drew it pours some of their drink into the King’s Cup in the middle. The person who draws the fourth king must drink the entire King’s Cup! This is usually a mixed concoction of all the drinks that have been poured in previously, so it can be quite a powerful mix. This is a climax point for the game.
Tips for Playing Kings Card Game Drinking
Here are some suggestions to have the best time when playing Kings.
Keep it Fun and Responsible
Pace yourself: Don’t drink too quickly. It’s a marathon, not a sprint!
Know your limits: If you feel like you’ve had enough, it’s okay to take a break or switch to a non-alcoholic beverage.
Stay hydrated: Drink water in between alcoholic drinks.
Don’t pressure anyone: If someone doesn’t want to drink, that’s fine. Just make sure the rules are still applied for those who are.
Have a plan: If you are drinking alcohol, make sure you have a designated driver or a way to get home safely.
Variations
Different Rules: Feel free to change the rules to fit your group’s preferences. For example, you can create your own rules for the numbered cards, or come up with special rules for certain suits (hearts, clubs, etc.).
Theme Nights: Play with a theme! For example, you can create a themed game for a holiday, or a special get-together.
Non-Alcoholic: Kings can be fun even without alcohol. Just replace the “drinking” with other tasks, like doing push-ups, telling a joke, or making faces.
Making the Game Engaging
Be Creative: Try to come up with fun rules, or new ways to play the game. The better the rules, the more fun the game can be.
Pay Attention: Always pay attention to the game so that you don’t miss a rule that is meant to be followed. When rules are not followed, the flow of the game can get interrupted.
Get Excited: The more excited people are to play, the more fun the game becomes. If the game becomes boring, try to spice it up with some crazy rule changes, or add some new rules to keep things fresh and engaging.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Sometimes there are common problems that come with playing Kings, so let’s make sure you can anticipate these and be prepared.
Players Not Understanding the Rules
If a player does not understand the rules, simply go over the rules again. If multiple players do not understand the rules, go through them as a group. Write down the rules and put them somewhere visible so players can refer to them throughout the game.
Arguments Over Rules
To avoid an argument over the rules, the players should make sure that the rules are set before starting the game. Make sure that the rules are clearly communicated to everyone playing the game. Try to come to a consensus before starting the game.
Running Out of Drinks
Before starting the game, it is good to make sure that everyone has enough drinks for the game. Be prepared to get more drinks if you start running low. The worst thing in a drinking game is running out of drinks.
The Game is Too Slow
If the game is too slow, try picking up the pace, and play the game faster. If the game is still slow, you can try adding in new rules to speed it up, or try some of the rule changes mentioned above to add more intensity to the gameplay.
Kings is a great party game that’s easy to learn and full of surprises. Remember to play responsibly, be creative with the rules, and most importantly, have fun! Following these tips, and understanding the rules of the game will help you to have a great time when playing Kings. It’s a simple concept, but with different rules and variations it can lead to a lot of fun moments. Keep these tips in mind, and you’re sure to have an amazing time with your friends!
How to Play Kings | Drinking Games
Final Thoughts
So, to summarize, how to play kings card game drinking involves assigning actions to each card. You must draw a card and perform the corresponding action, which often includes drinking. Remember the rules may vary, but the core idea involves chance and alcohol.
King cards often require the person to pour some of their drink in the center cup, with the final King having to drink the full cup. Adapt the rules to your preference and enjoy the fun. Knowing how to play kings card game drinking correctly will guarantee a good time.
