Drinking game classic

Kings Cup Rules: How the Drinking Game Works

Kings Cup, also known as Ring of Fire, is one of the most famous card-based drinking games. All you need is a deck of cards, one big cup and some drinks.

A player draws a king from the card ring around the Kings Cup
Players
4 to 10
Duration
20 to 45 minutes
What you need
Deck of cards, large cup, drinks
Vibe
Social, fast, chaotic

Rules

Kings Cup in 4 steps

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Every card stands for an action. Whoever draws a card carries out the matching rule. The four kings are the heart of the game: whoever draws the last king has to drink the cup that has piled up in the middle.

  1. Lay the cards out in a ring

    Spread all the cards face down in a circle around the cup in the middle. The ring can be as messy as you like.

  2. Draw a card in turn

    Going clockwise, everyone flips a card and carries out the matching rule (see the table below).

  3. Kings fill the cup

    For each of the first three kings, the player who drew it pours a splash of their drink into the cup in the middle.

  4. The fourth king drinks

    Whoever draws the fourth king has to drink or empty the cup they've all been filling. After that, the round is over.

Card meanings

What does each card mean?

  • Ace

    Waterfall: everyone drinks at the same time. You start, and no one can stop until the person before them stops.

  • 2

    You: pick a person who has to take a sip.

  • 3

    Me: you take a sip yourself.

  • 4

    Floor: everyone touches the floor. The slowest person drinks.

  • 5

    Thumb: you're the thumb master. Put your thumb on the table whenever you like, discreetly. The last person to join in drinks.

  • 6

    Sky: everyone points up. The slowest person drinks.

  • 7

    Category: name a category. Going around, everyone names something that fits. Whoever can't think of one drinks.

  • 8

    Mate: pick a drinking buddy who now drinks whenever you drink.

  • 9

    Rhyme: say a word. Going around, everyone rhymes it. Whoever can't find a rhyme drinks.

  • 10

    Rule: invent a rule that applies to everyone until the end of the game.

  • Jack

    Guys: all the guys take a sip.

  • Queen

    Question master: anyone who answers your questions drinks. This lasts until the next queen is drawn.

  • King

    Kings Cup: pour into the cup for the first three kings. Whoever draws the fourth king drinks it.

Variations

  • The card meanings vary by region and friend group. Agree on your version together before you start.
  • Instead of alcohol, Kings Cup works fine with water, soft drinks or points. Whoever would have to drink picks up a penalty point instead.
  • For a faster game, play with only the face cards and aces.

Tips for your round

  • Write new rules somewhere everyone can see them, or people forget them after three rounds.
  • A light drink in the middle keeps the game fair, so no one has to down half a pint of spirits.

FAQ

Kings Cup FAQ

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