King’s Cup

The classic. Take turns drawing from the ring, every card is a rule. Dodge the 4th King. Drink or pull cards.

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How to play King’s Cup

The classic circle card game. Each card you draw triggers a different action. The game ends when the fourth King is drawn.

Setup: Put an empty large cup in the middle of the table (the King's Cup). Spread a full 52-card deck face-down in a ring around it. Everyone sits in a circle with a drink.

How to play: Take turns drawing one card from the ring and doing its action. Then the next player draws. Agree on the card meanings before you start, this is the most common set:

• Ace – Waterfall: Everyone starts drinking at the same time. The drawer stops whenever they want; then the person to their left may stop, then the next, and so on. You cannot stop until the person before you stops.
• 2 – You: Point at anyone; they drink.
• 3 – Me: You drink.
• 4 – Floor: Everyone races to touch the floor. Last person drinks.
• 5 – Guys: All the guys drink.
• 6 – Chicks: All the girls drink.
• 7 – Heaven: Everyone races to point a hand at the sky. Last person drinks.
• 8 – Mate: Pick a buddy. For the rest of the game, whenever you drink, they drink too.
• 9 – Rhyme: Say any word (e.g. "cat"). Going around the circle, each player says a word that rhymes with it. First to freeze, repeat a word, or fail drinks.
• 10 – Categories: Name a category (e.g. "cereal brands"). Going around, everyone names one item in it. First to freeze or repeat drinks.
• Jack – Rule: Invent a rule that lasts the whole game (e.g. "no first names"). Anyone who breaks it drinks.
• Queen – Questions: Ask anyone a question. They must instantly answer with a question aimed at someone else, and so on. First to answer with a statement, laugh, or hesitate drinks.
• King – King's Cup: Pour some of your drink into the center cup. Whoever draws the fourth King drinks the whole center cup, game over.

King’s Cup, Frequently Asked Questions