King's Cup: Complete Party Drinking Game Rules & Guide
Redacted by Quentin Annassamy
Looking to liven up your next gathering? Enter King's Cup. The drinking game that's a chaotic mix of strategy, randomness, and booze. Known by many names like Kings, Circle of Death, or Ring of Fire, this classic is a staple at house parties, college dorms, and weekend pregames. Whether you're a seasoned partier or new to the scene, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to play King's Cup like a pro.
⚠️ Warning! Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health. Please drink responsibly.
🧃 What You'll Need
- A Standard Deck of Cards (remove jokers)
- A Large Cup (aka the King's Cup, placed in the center)
- Drinks for every player
- A Table or Flat Surface to spread the cards
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- Spread all cards face down in a circle around the central cup.
- Sit around the table and keep your drinks handy.
- Decide on your house rules—some cards have flexible meanings, so agree before the chaos begins.
🃏 Card Meanings
Each card triggers a specific rule or mini-game. Here’s a popular version:
- Ace (Waterfall): Everyone starts drinking at once. You can’t stop until the person before you does.
- 2 (You): Choose someone to drink.
- 3 (Me): You drink.
- 4 (Floor): Touch the floor! Last one to do it drinks.
- 5 (Guys): All the guys drink.
- 6 (Chicks): All the girls drink.
- 7 (Heaven): Raise your hand! Last one to do it drinks.
- 8 (Mate): Pick a mate—they drink whenever you do for the rest of the game.
- 9 (Rhyme): Say a word. Players go around rhyming. First to mess up drinks.
- 10 (Categories): Name a category (like cereal brands). Go around naming items in it. First to fail drinks.
- Jack (Make a Rule): Make up a rule (e.g. no saying names). Everyone must follow it. Break it? Drink.
- Queen (Question Master): Ask someone a question. If they answer, they drink. Keep your title until another Queen is drawn.
- King (King’s Cup): First 3 Kings drawn must pour part of their drink into the center cup. The 4th King? They drink the entire mix.
🔀 Popular Variations
King's Cup is super flexible. Here are a few house rule twists:
🎉 Ring of Fire
Instead of using a large cup, place an unopened beer can in the center. Players tuck their cards under the tab. Whoever pops it open has to chug.
🤫 Thumb Master (Jack Variant)
The Jack makes you the Thumb Master. At any moment, place your thumb on the table—last to copy you drinks.
🥂 Final Thoughts
King's Cup (aka Kings, Ring of Fire, Circle of Death...) is a guaranteed party-starter. It’s easy to learn, endlessly customizable, and guaranteed to create memories—blurry ones, but memories nonetheless. So grab a deck, gather your crew, and get ready to draw, drink, and maybe regret your life choices (in the best way).
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