The description for this photo on flickr is "This is a beer pong table at a frat party." How appropriate. Photo by flickr user English106 and licensed under CC BY 2.0.
As my college career winds down, I am finding myself beginning to write more big-picture posts. We're pretty good at getting into the nitty-gritty, but you can't exactly impress the majority of people out there with your knowledge of the iPad (unfortunately). Enter drinking games. We've written about the top 3 drinking games before, but I want a list even more definitive. And what better authority than yours truly? My blip.tv team has, after all, defeated College Humor at beer pong.
Now before we get started, I know we won't be able to address all drinking games out there. We will probably miss that one drinking game that you and your friends really like to play. I'm sorry. I've played plenty of drinking games and these are my faves. This is how I win. Every time. Hopefully you'll be able to find some uncoventional hacks in the standard games and bring them over to your own.
10. Kings
Kings is a game of a deck of cards and one really, big and nasty drink. The time you may choose to play it could be early in the evening or a bit on the later side. It's one of the most versatile games out there. It barely eeks onto my list because it tends to run a little too long. People tend to lose interest about halfway through, especially if you begin later in the night.
Read the rules for Kings on Wikipedia
HackCollege Protip: Carry conversations, but always be alert. When it's "4-floor," you don't want to get caught not paying attention.
9. Fuck Screw the Dealer
In what is probably the most autological drinking games out there, Fuck the Dealer will make the unlucky dealer's life miserable. Don't worry, the dealership gets passed around as soon as the dealer gets some shred of luck.
Read the rules for Fuck the Dealer on Davis Wiki
HackCollege Protip: Just be aware that this might be the first and last game you'll play for the night. Remember that the cards don't have much memory and neither will you for the rest of the night.
8. 7, 11 or Doubles
There are a few different ways to play this one, but I learned of it by way of Ohio. Lesinski brought this back from a Christmas break our junior year, I believe. This usually falls into the game that I regret playing, but it's high energy and fun nonetheless.
Read the rules for 7, 11 or Doubles on wikiHow
HackCollege Proptip: Your reflexes will dull quickly. Also, don't hero. Even if she's cute.
7. Civil War
While Fuck the Dealer and 7, 11 or Doubles are autological, Civil War has nothing to do with Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant. (By the way, what's with the middle initials?) Civil War is a flashy, 3-on-3 beer pong on 'roids. It's plenty of fun if you've got the personnel.
Read the rules of Civil War on Willipedia (nevermind the weird language)
HackCollege Protip: Identify and knock out the best shooters first.
6. Web
Much to my dismay, this game has nothing to do with the Internet. Boo hoo for me. Web is a quick game that is best played with a big group of people. You'll need a few glasses, quarters and a table that can get destroyed. The details of Web have yet to be published on the Internet (or at least SEO'd properly), so this game will live in mystery for now.
Read the rules of Web on ???
HackCollege Protip: Keep track of where in the ring the glasses are. Be ready to perform if things get tight.
5. Landmines
I was first introduced one Christmas break to Landmines by some friends from Seattle. The game is best played with a group of 4-6 folks that have some time to dedicate to the game. The game is pretty crazy once there are a dozen empty cans on the table. For those concerned with social appearances, the game tends to be a little bit off-putting to people that don't know how to play (SEE that girl/guy you might have a thing for. But it's not really that much of the thing. Really.).
Read the rules for Landmines on Alcohol Stuff
HackCollege Protip: Just know that your index finger (flicking finger) will be sore the next morning.
4. Boat Race
One of the classic backyard kegger games. All you need is plenty of people, beer and cups. No table. No ping pong balls. No coins. Line 'em up and go.
Read the rules for Boat Racing on Wikipedia
HackCollege Protip: Your success will not be based on you, but on your team. Make sure they are paying attention.
3. Flip Cup
Half drinking skill. Half coordination. In what is arguably one of the most easy to play but difficult to master game, Flip Cup is a mainstay at most parties. Practice your cup-flipping technique in your sleep.
Read the rules for Flip Cup on Wikipedia
HackCollege Proptip: Flipping a cup over always takes less effort than you think. Always.
2. Quarters
You already know how to play, don't you? If not, your kitchen table will hate you later.
Read the rules for Quarters on Wikipedia
HackCollege Protip: If everyone in the house is cool with it, perfect the roll. Simply roll the quarter off your finger from a higher height and let gravity to the work. By removing your own movement from the equation, you cut down the things you can mess up.
1. Beer Pong
When I say Beer Pong, many might think Beirut. Whatever. It's the one without the paddles. You know it.
Read the rules for Beer Pong on Wikipedia
HackCollege Protip: Just like in Quarters, remove the variable: your motion. Stand still and only bend at the elbow. Don't get too fancy.
So we have inevitably missed plenty of games. Either add some tips in the comments to the games we've listed here or bring up some new games and tips! Have a good weekend! (And don't try to perfect all of these in one night.)