College Drinking Games: A Freshman's Guide

<p>First house party? Dorm hangout with new friends? Here are the games everyone plays and how to not look clueless.</p> <h2>Games You Need to Know</h2> <h3>Kings Cup</h3> <p>Also called Ring of Fire. Spread a deck of cards around a cup in the middle. Take turns drawing cards and each one has a rule. Aces start a waterfall where everyone drinks. Queens make you the question master. If you draw the fourth King, you drink whatever nasty mix ended up in that center cup. Learn this game first because it shows up everywhere. Full rules at <a href="/games/kings-cup">Kings Cup</a>.</p> <h3>Flip Cup</h3> <p>Two teams line up across from each other. When someone says go, the first person on each side chugs their drink. Then you put the cup on the edge of the table and try to flip it upside down using just your fingers. Once it lands, the next person goes. First team to finish wins. Expect a lot of yelling. See <a href="/games/flip-cup">Flip Cup rules</a>.</p> <h3>Beer Die</h3> <p>Four people around a table. You throw a die really high, and it has to hit the table. If it bounces off and the other team does not catch it, you score. If they catch it, nothing happens. Lots of rules to learn but people get really into it.</p> <h3>Ride the Bus</h3> <p>Card game where you guess red or black, higher or lower, and other stuff. Get it wrong and you drink. The person with the most cards at the end has to "ride the bus" which means even more drinking.</p> <h2>Staying Safe</h2> <ul> <li>Know your limits and do not try to keep up with everyone</li> <li>Drink water between games</li> <li>Never pressure anyone who says no</li> <li>Have a plan for getting back to your room safely</li> <li>Look out for your friends</li> </ul> <p>The <a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/college-drinking" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism</a> has resources specifically for college students on responsible drinking.</p> <h2>Making Friends</h2> <p>Drinking games are honestly one of the fastest ways to meet people. Do not take losing too seriously. Laugh at yourself. Cheer for other people. Be the person everyone wants at the next party.</p> <p>College goes by fast. Have fun but be smart about it. For more no-equipment games, check out <a href="/blog/drinking-games-no-equipment-needed">games you can play anywhere</a>.</p>