Stud Poker Shots - Drinking Game Rules & How to Play

Stud Poker Shots is a drinking game in the Card Games category for 3-8 players that takes about 15-30 min with a medium difficulty level.

7-card stud with drinking

Equipment Needed

Setup

Grab a standard deck of cards and ensure everyone has their drink of choice at hand. Designate a dealer to shuffle and deal seven cards to each player, starting face down. Place any leftover cards in a stack in the center of the table as a draw pile, and leave enough open space for each player to lay down their cards as the game progresses. Decide as a group what the 'final penalty' drink will entail before starting.

How to Play Stud Poker Shots

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

Tips & Strategies

Bluffing can save you from drinking,don't show weakness, even if your hand is trash. If you're assigning drinks after a winning hand, spread the love strategically to keep key opponents off their game (or tipsy enough to make mistakes). Watch for players getting overconfident with betting and use that to your advantage to force penalties. If you lose your hand early, use the downtime to track who's been dealt the strong cards,you'll want that info later.

Variations

Kings and Queens Rule. Wildcard Shots. Dealer's Revenge

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if two players have the same winning hand?
If there's a tie, the tied players each assign one drink to any other player of their choice. Then they play rock-paper-scissors to decide the overall winner who earns the bragging rights.
What counts as a penalty?
Forgetting to draw, folding late, or trying to look at another player's cards results in taking one sip as a penalty. Group penalties, like revealing the wrong card during gameplay, require everyone to take a drink.
What’s the purpose of the leftover card pile?
The leftover card pile allows for strategic risk-taking if players feel their current hand isn't strong enough. They can draw from the pile, but with potential penalties for face cards, it's a gamble.
Can we adjust the drinking penalties?
Yes, but decide on the modified rules upfront. For instance, you can make losing a hand a double drink penalty or introduce a rule where a player who wins three hands in a row takes a celebratory shot.

Players: 3-8 | Duration: 15-30 min | Difficulty: medium

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