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Horse Race: The Drinking Game Inspired by Horse Racing

Quentin AnnassamyRedacted by Quentin Annassamy
Illustration of the Horse Race drinking game with cards arranged in a race track

Looking for an original drinking game to spice up your parties with friends? Discover Horse Race, a game inspired by horse racing that combines suspense, chance, and fun.
Easy to set up and accessible to everyone, Horse Race promises memorable moments.

⚠️ Warning! Excessive alcohol consumption is dangerous for your health. Please drink responsibly.

What You'll Need

  • A deck of 52 cards (no cards? You can play on your phone by downloading the TOZ app)
  • Alcohol
  • Friends ready to laugh (and drink)
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Game Setup

  1. Selecting the Horses: Take out the four Kings from the deck; they'll represent the racing horses. Place them side by side in a horizontal line at one end of the table, forming the starting line.

  2. Creating the Track: Shuffle the remaining cards and lay out seven of them face down in a vertical column, perpendicular to the Kings. These cards form the race stages, creating an "L" shape on the table.

Game Rules

  1. Initial Betting: Each player bets a number of sips on their chosen horse (King). Once bets are placed, they can't be changed.

  2. Race Progress:

    • Cards from the remaining deck are turned over one by one. Each time a card is revealed, the horse corresponding to that suit (hearts, diamonds, spades, or clubs) moves forward one step on the track.

    • When all horses have passed a face-down card on the track, that card is flipped over. If its suit matches a horse in the race, that horse moves back one step. This rule adds suspense and can shake up the rankings at any moment.

  3. End of Race: The first horse to cross the final stage wins the race. Players who bet on this horse can distribute their wagered sips to other participants. Those who bet on losing horses must drink their wagered sips.

Variations to Spice Things Up

  • Increased Stakes: Raise the sip budget per player for more intense races.

  • Extended Track: Add more stages (cards) to prolong the race and suspense.

  • Bonus/Penalty Cards: Include special cards that make horses move forward or backward multiple stages when revealed.

  • Continue Racing: If a horse reaches the final stage, keep the race going with the remaining cards.

  • Overall Rankings: After several races, establish a player ranking based on sips given and received, with challenges or rewards for the winner.

Horse Race is the perfect game to liven up your parties and create memorable moments with friends. So, get your cards ready, sharpen your betting strategies, and may the best horse win!

How to Play Without Cards?

You can play on your phone by downloading the TOZ app