Target Number - Drinking Game Rules & How to Play

Target Number is a drinking game in the Dice Games category for 2-10 players that takes about 15-30 min with a easy difficulty level.

Hit the target or drink

Equipment Needed

• Dice
• Drinks

Setup

Grab a pair of dice and decide on a 'target number',this is the sum players aim to roll. Place the dice in the center of the table within easy reach, and make sure everyone has their drink ready. Choose the starting player by rolling; the highest roll goes first.

How to Play Target Number

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

When setting the target number, aim for something between 6 and 9 to keep the game interesting but not impossible. Always pay attention to other players' rolls so you can plan your drinking strategy if they assign you drinks. If you're assigning drinks after a successful roll, splitting them up between multiple players can help you avoid revenge rolls. If you roll doubles, consider assigning double the usual drinks as an optional house rule for added chaos.

Variations

High Stakes Target: Players must drink the difference between their roll and the target number if they miss, instead of just one drink.. Reverse Target: Players aim to roll under the target number instead of hitting it exactly, and overshooting leads to drinking.. Cumulative Target: Each player's roll is added to the previous rolls, and the group keeps drinking until the cumulative total hits the target number.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if someone rolls the exact target number?

If a player rolls the exact target number, they get to assign drinks equal to the number of players minus themselves.

Can you change the target number mid-game?

Yes, but only by unanimous vote, and it's usually best done between rounds rather than mid-turn.

What if someone rolls two ones?

Snake eyes (two ones) can be treated as an automatic penalty where the roller drinks twice, or you can make it a wild roll with a unique house rule.

How do you determine the final penalty for the loser?

The loser,usually the player who rolled the most penalties,must finish their drink or take three extra sips, depending on group consensus.

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

Related Drinking Games

• Boss Dice — Challenge players to dice duels for boss status
• Perudo — Liar's dice variation
• Boxcars — Roll 6-6 to win
• Dice Tower — Stack dice without toppling
• Mexico — Beat the previous roll or lose a life
• Dice Elimination — Roll or be eliminated
• Pig — Roll for points but 1s wipe your total
• Yahtzee Shots — Yahtzee with drinking penalties

From Our Blog

• Weekend Party Ideas That Guarantee a Good Time — Who doesn’t love a good party, especially on the weekend? It’s the perfect time to gather your friends, let loose, and enjoy some much-needed downtime. Whether you're planning a low-key gathering or a...
• Weekend Party Ideas You’ll Love Anytime — So you’re thinking about throwing a killer weekend party, huh? Whether you’re looking to blow off some steam after a long week, celebrate something special, or just hang out with your favorite people,...
• Travel Games That Keep the Fun Flowing — Traveling is great, but let's face it, those long hours of waiting at the airport or sitting in the backseat can get pretty dull. That's where travel games come in. With a few nifty games in your back...

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