Egyptian Ratscrew - Drinking Game Rules & How to Play

Egyptian Ratscrew is a drinking game in the Card Games category for 2-6 players that takes about 15-30 min with a medium difficulty level.

Card slapping game with complex slap rules

Equipment Needed

• Standard deck of cards
• Drinks

Setup

Cards dealt face down. Quick flipping begins.

How to Play Egyptian Ratscrew

1. Deal entire deck evenly face down
2. Flip cards quickly to center pile
3. Slap on: Doubles, Sandwiches, Top-Bottom match
4. Correct slap = take pile
5. Wrong slap = drink and give cards
6. Face card played = next player must match
7. Fail to match = pile goes to previous
8. Run out = eliminated (but can slap back in)

Tips & Strategies

Know the slap rules cold. Hesitation loses. False slaps hurt.

Variations

Add more slap rules: Pairs, Runs, Wild cards. Speed version: Timed flips.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's a sandwich?

Two matching cards with one different card between them.

Can eliminated players still win?

Yes! A correct slap returns them to the game.

Players: 2-6 | Duration: 15-30 min | Difficulty: medium

Related Drinking Games

• Give and Take — Match cards to either give or take drinks
• Ride the Bus — Guess the cards right or drink your way through
• BS Drinking — Bluffing card game where getting caught means drinking
• Card on Forehead — Hold cards on forehead and bet high
• Piquet Shots — Historical card game with drink stakes
• Spoons — Four of a kind grab spoons - loser drinks
• Phase 10 Drinking — Complete phases or drink the penalty
• Blackjack Drinking — Blackjack where losing means drinking

From Our Blog

• Weekend Party Ideas to Amp Up Your Get-Together — If you're looking to host an unforgettable weekend party, it's all about the games. Sure, you could just throw on some music and let everyone mingle, but where's the flair in that? Adding some engagin...
• Weekend Party Ideas That Bring the Fun — So, you're planning a weekend bash and want to make sure it's one for the books. Whether it's a casual barbecue with friends, a rooftop gathering, or just a chill night in with your closest crew, havi...
• Weekend Party Ideas to Amp Up Your Gathering — Hey there, weekend warrior! If you're looking to elevate your party game this weekend, you're in the right place. As someone who's been hosting shindigs for years, I've got the scoop on the best drink...

Browse more Card Games drinking games or see all drinking games.