What happens if someone plays the wrong card?

If someone plays out of sequence, they must take a drink and retrieve the card they laid down. Play resumes with the next person playing the correct card in order.

What do I do if the deck doesn’t divide evenly?

Set aside any leftover cards and don't use them during the game. They won't impact play, as the sequence will loop repeatedly with the cards dealt to players.

How does the King reset the sequence?

When a King is played, the sequence starts over from Ace, regardless of what number was being played previously. This can shake up the pace if players are holding onto low cards.

What happens if two players run out of cards simultaneously?

If two or more players finish at the same time, tie-breaking rules can be decided beforehand, such as a drink-off or a quick round of Rock-Paper-Scissors. Their remaining cards still count as drinks for others.

Around the Clock - Drinking Game Rules & How to Play

Around the Clock is a drinking game in the Card Games category for 3-10 players that takes about 15-25 min with a easy difficulty level.

Play cards in sequence or drink

Equipment Needed

Standard deck of cards
Drinks

Setup

Shuffle a standard deck of cards thoroughly, then deal the cards evenly among all players. Each person should end up with roughly the same number of cards, and any extras can be set aside. Arrange players in a circle to make passing and play smooth, and designate a starting player to kick things off with the Ace.

How to Play Around the Clock

Deal cards evenly
Start with Ace
Next person plays 2, then 3, etc.
Must play in sequence
Don't have it? Drink and pass
King resets to Ace
First out of cards wins
Remaining cards = drinks

Tips & Strategies

Pay attention to the cards others are playing and use that knowledge to anticipate when you'll need to drink or pass. Kings can be strategic resets if you know someone nearby doesn't have low cards, so don't dread them. If your hand is heavy with middle numbers like 7-10, try to burn through them fast before the sequence gets chaotic toward the end. The fewer cards you save for the final rounds, the fewer drinks you'll risk taking at the finish.

Variations

Reverse Clock. Double Trouble. Wildcard Jokers

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if someone plays the wrong card?: If someone plays out of sequence, they must take a drink and retrieve the card they laid down. Play resumes with the next person playing the correct card in order.
What do I do if the deck doesn’t divide evenly?: Set aside any leftover cards and don't use them during the game. They won't impact play, as the sequence will loop repeatedly with the cards dealt to players.
How does the King reset the sequence?: When a King is played, the sequence starts over from Ace, regardless of what number was being played previously. This can shake up the pace if players are holding onto low cards.
What happens if two players run out of cards simultaneously?: If two or more players finish at the same time, tie-breaking rules can be decided beforehand, such as a drink-off or a quick round of Rock-Paper-Scissors. Their remaining cards still count as drinks for others.

Players: 3-10 | Duration: 15-25 min | Difficulty: easy

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