How do you win Pennying?

The game doesn't have a traditional winner, but you can decide as a group to stop after a certain number of rounds and let the person with the fewest penalty drinks claim victory.

What counts as being 'caught'?

If someone spots you mid-action and calls you out before you successfully drop the penny into their drink, you're considered caught and must take a penalty drink.

Can you use fake pennies?

Yes, but it should be agreed upon beforehand and everyone should know what to watch for. Just make sure they're still small, safe, and easy to spot in a drink.

What happens if a penny lands in a nearly empty drink?

The drinker has to finish whatever's left and then refill their drink to stay in the game. No sneaky half-sips allowed!

Pennying - Drinking Game Rules & How to Play

Pennying is a drinking game in the Beer Games category for 4-20 players that takes about 15-30 min with a easy difficulty level.

Sneak pennies into drinks

Equipment Needed

Drinks
Various beer game supplies

Setup

Start by distributing drinks to all players, making sure everyone has a cup, can, or bottle that's easy to drink from and won't spill when moved. Have a stash of pennies (clean them beforehand!) in the center of the group where everyone can reach. Players should sit or stand in a loose circle so they can subtly target each other's drinks without being too obvious.

How to Play Pennying

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

Keep an eye on other players while sipping your drink,someone might be hovering near you with a penny in hand. The quieter you are while attempting to sneak a penny into someone's drink, the better your chances are of succeeding. If you're caught dropping a penny, be ready to drink, but try to argue your way out of it if you're feeling bold. When assigning penalty drinks after a successful penny drop, aim for players who are distracted so they can't retaliate immediately.

Variations

Double Penny Trouble: Players have to sneak two pennies into the same drink before the penalty applies, but if caught with even one, they drink double.. No Hands Penny: Players can only use non-hand methods to move and drop the penny, like using their elbows or balancing it on a spoon.. Reverse Pennying: Instead of sneaking pennies into others' drinks, you must drop one into your own drink without getting caught for everyone else to drink.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you win Pennying?: The game doesn't have a traditional winner, but you can decide as a group to stop after a certain number of rounds and let the person with the fewest penalty drinks claim victory.
What counts as being 'caught'?: If someone spots you mid-action and calls you out before you successfully drop the penny into their drink, you're considered caught and must take a penalty drink.
Can you use fake pennies?: Yes, but it should be agreed upon beforehand and everyone should know what to watch for. Just make sure they're still small, safe, and easy to spot in a drink.
What happens if a penny lands in a nearly empty drink?: The drinker has to finish whatever's left and then refill their drink to stay in the game. No sneaky half-sips allowed!

Players: 4-20 | Duration: 15-30 min | Difficulty: easy

Related Drinking Games

Edward Fortyhands — Tape 40oz beers to your hands until you finish both
Boom Cup — Fast-paced bouncing cup game
Century Club — 100 shots in 100 minutes
Power Drunk — Power hour with mini challenges
Beer Can Bowling — Bowling with beer can pins
Case Race — Team race to finish a case of beer
Beer Roulette — Shake one can and guess which explodes
Dizzy Bat — Spin on a bat then try to hit a can while dizzy

From Our Blog

House Party Tips to Elevate Your Next Bash — Throwing a house party is both an art and a science. It's about creating the right vibe, having the right activities, and making sure your guests feel like they've stepped into an unforgettable experi...
Game Spotlight: Unpacking Crowd Favorites for Your Next Party — If there's one thing that keeps a party buzzing, it's the right mix of drinking games. I've been hosting game nights for years, and nothing gets the crowd engaged quite like a well-chosen game. Whethe...
Travel Games That Keep the Party Going Wherever You Are — Traveling can be a blast, but let's be honest, sometimes those long stretches of downtime can turn into a snooze fest if you don't have a plan. Whether you're stuck at the airport, chilling by the hos...

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