To ride the bus drinking game, players draw cards, and the card’s value determines the action they take, such as drinking or giving drinks. The goal is to avoid being the last player in the game.
Ever found yourself at a pre-game gathering wanting to spice things up? How to ride the bus drinking game is the perfect way to add some excitement. This fast paced card game can quickly turn any get-together into a memorable, or possibly forgettable, experience.
It’s easy to pick up and play, making it ideal for groups of all sizes. The rules are simple, but the game is full of unpredictable turns. With each card draw, the stakes go up and fun increases.
How to Ride the Bus Drinking Game: A Complete Guide
Alright party people! So you’re curious about “Ride the Bus,” the card game that can turn any get-together into a hilarious night, right? It’s more than just drawing cards; it’s a rollercoaster of suspense, strategy (sort of!), and, let’s be honest, a fair bit of drinking. If you want to learn how to play, this is the place. We’re diving deep into every detail, from the simple rules to the best ways to keep the game fun and fair. Get ready to learn how to ride the bus drinking game!
Setting the Stage for Bus Riding Fun
Before we even think about drawing a single card, let’s get the basics sorted. The beauty of “Ride the Bus” lies in its simplicity. You don’t need a fancy setup, just a standard deck of 52 playing cards, a group of friends, and some drinks. Easy peasy! But there are a few things to consider.
Gathering Your Crew and Supplies
First things first, you need your fellow adventurers for the evening. The game is best with at least three people, but honestly, the more the merrier! It gets chaotic with a bigger group, which adds to the fun! Here’s a quick list of what you need:
- A standard deck of 52 playing cards
- Your favorite beverages (beer, mixed drinks, whatever tickles your fancy).
- Cups for everyone.
- A table or flat surface for playing.
- Enthusiastic players ready for some laughs!
Make sure everyone is of legal drinking age and comfortable with the game. Remember, responsible drinking is key to having a good time.
Understanding the Card Values
In “Ride the Bus,” the value of each card is pretty straightforward:
- Number cards are worth their face value (2 is 2, 7 is 7, etc.)
- Jack is worth 11
- Queen is worth 12
- King is worth 13
- Ace can be either 1 or 14
This knowledge is essential for the later parts of the game, especially when you are on the bus.
The First Phase: Getting Dealt In
Okay, with the setup done, let’s start with the first part of the game. This part focuses on each player making a series of predictions about the cards they receive.
Dealing the Cards
The dealer shuffles the deck and deals four cards face down to each player in a circular manner. Players should not look at their cards at this point.
The Prediction Rounds
Now comes the prediction time! Each player, one by one, will go through four prediction rounds. For each round, a player looks at their next card. Without showing the card to anyone else, they must make a prediction based on a specific question. If they guess incorrectly, they drink!
Here’s the breakdown of these four questions and rules.
First Prediction: Red or Black?
The player looks at their first card and guesses if it is red (hearts or diamonds) or black (clubs or spades). If they guessed correctly, nothing happens. If they guessed wrong, they drink one sip.
Second Prediction: Higher or Lower?
The player looks at their second card. They must guess if this card is higher or lower than their first card. Aces are low. If their second card is the same as the first, it counts as wrong and they must drink one sip. The second card is also shown to the group so everyone can see if the person is right or wrong.
Third Prediction: Inside or Outside?
The player looks at their third card. They must guess if this card will be numerically inside or outside the range of their first two cards. For example, if the first two cards are a 3 and a 9, a card between 4 and 8 would be inside. A 2 or a 10 would be outside. if the card is either of the first two cards, it counts as wrong and they must drink one sip.
Fourth Prediction: Suit Guess
The player looks at their fourth card. They must guess the suit of their card: hearts, diamonds, clubs, or spades. If they guess correctly, nothing happens. If they guess wrong, they drink one sip. This completes the four prediction rounds.
After the predictions are made, all four of a player’s cards are placed face up in a row, forming their own “row”.
The Second Phase: Building the Pyramid
Now the real fun begins! It’s time to build the pyramid. The dealer makes a pyramid using the remaining cards. There will be one card in the first row, two in the second, three in the third, and so on.
How the Pyramid Works
The number of rows in the pyramid can depend on the size of your group and the number of cards left in the deck. Normally the pyramid has 6 or 7 rows. We recommend 6 rows for most games because it can be harder to finish the game if there are too many rows. Each card is placed face down as the pyramid is built.
The Goal of the Pyramid
The point of the pyramid is to match a pyramid card with a card in the player’s row. This is when the drinking really gets going. The players do not know the value of the face down cards on the pyramid.
The Third Phase: Riding the Bus
This is where the game really heats up, the player makes a series of choices as they try to get to the top of the bus, also called the top of the pyramid. This stage is the most intense. The dealer starts at the bottom of the pyramid and reveals each card one by one from the first row, from left to right.
Matching Cards and Drinking
If the dealer flips a card from the pyramid that matches one of a player’s exposed cards, that player is “on the bus.” The player must drink for every card on the level they match with on the pyramid. For example, the first row of the pyramid only has one card, so if someone is on the bus at the first level they must drink one sip. If the player is on the bus on the second level, which has two cards, then they must drink two sips. If someone is on the bus on the third level, then they drink three sips and so on.
Getting to the Top
Once a player is “on the bus,” they must continue to match pyramid cards with their row. As the player goes higher in the pyramid, the amount that the person must drink increases. The player who gets to the top of the pyramid and finishes their drinks first “wins” the game. But getting to the top of the bus is often easier said than done, since the amount of drinks increases as the player gets to the higher levels.
Dealing with Multiple Matches
Sometimes, multiple players can match the same card in the pyramid. In this case, they all must drink the appropriate amount for that row. That can lead to quite a bit of drinking.
Adding Some Extra Twists to Your Game
Once you know how to ride the bus drinking game, there are some fun additions you can use to spice things up. Here are a few common variations and rule additions to make your game more interesting.
The “Waterfall” Rule
If a player matches a pyramid card with an ace in their row, they must start drinking. Everyone around the table must start drinking at the same time. The drinking does not stop until the player who matched the ace stops drinking. This can get really intense and cause a lot of drinking in the game.
The “Social Drink” Rule
When a player matches a face card (Jack, Queen, or King) on the pyramid to their row, everyone at the table has to take a drink. It brings everyone into the drinking fun.
“Never Have I Ever”
This rule is for players who don’t have a match with any of their cards. Before the dealer flips the next card, the player says a “never have I ever” statement. If the people at the table have done what they’ve said, they must drink. This rule can make the game move quicker and force people who haven’t had to drink yet, to drink.
Custom Rule Set
Feel free to add your own rules or change existing ones to fit your group’s preferences. Make sure that all the rules are made clear at the beginning of the game so there are no arguments. You can make the pyramid bigger or smaller. You can make the number of drinks bigger or smaller depending on how long you want the game to last and how much people want to drink. The most important thing is to have fun.
Tips for a Smooth Bus Ride
Playing “Ride the Bus” is all about having a good time. It’s essential to focus on fun and safety. Here are some tips for making sure your game goes smoothly:
Keeping Track of Drinks
Things can get chaotic as the game goes on. Keep track of who drinks what, that can help make sure everyone is still having fun. Don’t worry too much about every single sip, but it’s always a good idea to have a general idea of how much everyone has had.
Encouraging Responsible Play
It’s important to encourage everyone to drink responsibly. Make sure that everyone can get home safely after the game, and don’t pressure anyone to drink too much or make them feel bad if they don’t want to drink as much.
Modifications for Non-Alcoholic Games
If you want to play “Ride the Bus” without alcohol, you totally can. Substitute the drinks for different kinds of punishments, like doing funny dares or making people do a silly action.
Choosing Drinks Wisely
Avoid super strong drinks. Stick to beer, hard seltzers, or other lighter drinks. Avoid high alcohol content or high sugary drinks because it can get people intoxicated too fast.
Take Breaks
It’s okay to take breaks if things are getting too crazy. Step outside for some fresh air, grab a bite to eat, and give everyone a chance to recover before starting up again.
Why “Ride the Bus” is a Great Game
Beyond the obvious drinking aspect, “Ride the Bus” is great because it brings people together. The game encourages laughter and friendly competition. It’s easy to learn, quick to set up, and can be played anywhere. So what are you waiting for? Grab your friends and your cards and let the bus ride begin!
Ultimately, “Ride the Bus” is a fantastic social card game that is perfect for parties, get-togethers, or just a casual night with friends. It combines luck, strategy, and a bit of chaos for a memorable experience. Now that you are well versed in how to play, go and start playing with your friends. Cheers!
How to play Pyramid (aka Ride the Bus) | (Drinking Game)
Final Thoughts
In short, the how to ride the bus drinking game involves dealing cards, guessing suits, and remembering the sequence. Correct guesses mean others drink, wrong ones mean you do. This popular game can quickly get quite intense.
The final round, ‘the bus’, tests memory and luck. Failure here often results in a large amount of drinking. Playing this game requires a deck of cards and some brave participants who don’t mind drinking. Ultimately, how to ride the bus drinking game must be approached responsibly.
