What happens if two people claim the same bingo?

The tie is broken by a quick rock-paper-scissors match. The loser takes a drink, and the winner gets to assign drinks.

Can we make our own bingo squares?

Absolutely. Tailor the squares to match the type or theme of the documentary, but make sure all players agree on them before starting.

What counts as a penalty drink?

It's typically a single sip or gulp, but agree on the amount as a group. For false bingo claims, you might up it to two or three sips.

How do we determine the loser for the final penalty?

The last person to get a bingo is the loser and must take the final penalty drink. If no one finishes the game, the person with the least squares marked drinks.

Documentary Bingo Drinking - Drinking Game Rules & How to Play

Documentary Bingo Drinking is a drinking game in the Movie & TV Games category for 2-10 players that takes about 15-30 min with a medium difficulty level.

Bingo-style documentary watching

Equipment Needed

TV/Streaming device
Drinks

Setup

Pick a documentary that has plenty of recurring elements or predictable tropes,nature documentaries or true crime are great for this. Create bingo cards using a free template online or draw them by hand, filling the squares with documentary clichés (like 'dramatic pause before a reveal' or 'unexpected animal attack' for nature docs). Get your drinks ready, and make sure everyone has a clear view of the screen and their bingo card before hitting play.

How to Play Documentary Bingo Drinking

Set up the game according to basic rules
Players take turns or play simultaneously
Penalties result in drinking
Success means assigning drinks
Continue until winner emerges
Loser faces final penalty
Winner earns bragging rights
Adjust rules as needed for your group

Tips & Strategies

Choose a documentary you haven't seen before to keep things unpredictable. Be creative but realistic with your bingo squares; common clichés work best, like 'overly intense narrator' or 'zoom-in on predator's face.' If a player falsely claims a bingo, make them take a penalty drink. Keep a dry erase marker or pen handy so you can quickly mark off squares without slowing down the game.

Variations

True Crime Takeover: Switch to a true crime documentary and adjust bingo squares to fit tropes like 'grainy security footage' or 'neighbor who "never saw it coming."'. Nature Chaos: Watch a nature documentary, but every time the word 'predator' is said, everyone takes a drink regardless of bingo progress.. Buzzer Mode: Use a small buzzer or app to let players buzz in when they spot a bingo square happening. First buzz claims the square and assigns a drink.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if two people claim the same bingo?: The tie is broken by a quick rock-paper-scissors match. The loser takes a drink, and the winner gets to assign drinks.
Can we make our own bingo squares?: Absolutely. Tailor the squares to match the type or theme of the documentary, but make sure all players agree on them before starting.
What counts as a penalty drink?: It's typically a single sip or gulp, but agree on the amount as a group. For false bingo claims, you might up it to two or three sips.
How do we determine the loser for the final penalty?: The last person to get a bingo is the loser and must take the final penalty drink. If no one finishes the game, the person with the least squares marked drinks.

Players: 2-10 | Duration: 15-30 min | Difficulty: medium

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