What are good drinking triggers for a Western movie?

Use classic Western elements like gunfights, saloon doors swinging, someone riding a horse, or a cowboy tipping their hat.

What happens if two players call out the same trigger?

If two players spot the trigger simultaneously, both drink, but the faster one can assign an additional drink to anyone else at the table.

What counts as a 'success' in this game?

Catching a drinking trigger first or correctly predicting a scene outcome (like how many gunshots in a duel) counts as a success, which lets you assign one drink to another player.

What’s the final penalty for the loser?

The loser has to finish their drink and perform a cowboy-themed dare, like saying 'Howdy, partner!' to the next person who texts or calls them.

Western Drinking - Drinking Game Rules & How to Play

Western Drinking is a drinking game in the Movie & TV Games category for 1-10 players that takes about 15-30 min with a easy difficulty level.

Cowboy movie drinking

Equipment Needed

TV/Streaming device
Drinks

Setup

Pick a classic cowboy or Western-themed movie (think 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly' or 'Tombstone') and queue it up on your TV or streaming device. Everyone should have their drink of choice ready and be seated with a clear view of the screen. Decide as a group on a list of recurring on-screen moments that will serve as drinking triggers, like gunfights, saloon scenes, or a cowboy saying 'partner.'

How to Play Western 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

Look for movies with lots of tropes,more iconic Westerns will keep the game flowing. Avoid movies with super long slow-burn scenes unless everyone's OK with a lull in the action. If you're struggling to think of drinking triggers, focus on dialogue quirks like 'y'all' or 'reckon,' which tend to pop up more often. If someone assigns you a drink for their success, don't forget you're allowed to retaliate with a toast the next time you win!

Variations

Pause the movie during any saloon scene and have players guess how many punches, gunshots, or drinks occur before the scene ends. Closest guess assigns a drink.: Specifically drink when clocks, watches, or references to time appear in the movie. This adds a layer of suspense to slower, dialogue-heavy Westerns.: Each player picks a recurring character and drinks whenever their character's name is said or they appear on screen in a close-up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are good drinking triggers for a Western movie?: Use classic Western elements like gunfights, saloon doors swinging, someone riding a horse, or a cowboy tipping their hat.
What happens if two players call out the same trigger?: If two players spot the trigger simultaneously, both drink, but the faster one can assign an additional drink to anyone else at the table.
What counts as a 'success' in this game?: Catching a drinking trigger first or correctly predicting a scene outcome (like how many gunshots in a duel) counts as a success, which lets you assign one drink to another player.
What’s the final penalty for the loser?: The loser has to finish their drink and perform a cowboy-themed dare, like saying 'Howdy, partner!' to the next person who texts or calls them.

Players: 1-10 | Duration: 15-30 min | Difficulty: easy

Related Drinking Games

Wes Anderson Drinking — Drink for symmetry and aesthetics
Horror Movie Drinking Game — Universal horror movie rules - drink for every cliche!
Pixar Drinking Game — Drink for emotional moments
Documentary Bingo Drinking — Bingo-style documentary watching
Sci-Fi Drinking — Drink for space and tech
Stranger Things Drinking Game — Drink through the Upside Down
Harry Potter Drinking Game — Magical drinking adventure through Hogwarts
The Bachelor Drinking Game — Drink through reality TV romance drama

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 Movie & TV Games drinking games or see all drinking games.