Forget the boring old board games! Imagine the classic Tic Tac Toe, but with a wild twist—every move brings you closer to victory or closer to taking a shot. The Tic Tac Toe Drinking Game is the ultimate icebreaker that’ll bring laughter, fun, and a fair bit of tipsiness to any party. Whether you’re chilling with friends or throwing a big bash, this game is simple to set up and a blast to play. Let’s dive into the boozy battlefield of Xs, Os, and shots!
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What is a Tic Tac Toe Drinking Game?
In the Tic Tac Toe Drinking Game, each round of the traditional Xs and Os game comes with an added “reward”—taking a shot! The game uses shot glasses as your playing pieces, and whenever a player places their X or O on the board, they’ve got to drink from the shot glass they just put down.
The game is beloved for its simplicity. No need to explain complicated rules—everyone knows how to play Tic Tac Toe. But add alcohol to the mix, and it instantly becomes a party hit. Plus, it’s a quick game, so you can squeeze it in between other activities or make it the centerpiece of your gathering.
It’s a fantastic option for small groups (even for two players on a couple’s night) or large groups, and it works with whatever beverages you prefer. The only real rule? Don’t let the booze blur your strategy!

How to Play Tic Tac Toe Drinking Game: Rules and Setup
Ready to kickstart the fun? Here’s how you can set up and play your very own Tic Tac Toe drinking game:
What You Need to Get Started:
- 1 Tic Tac Toe board (you can draw one or use a printable version)
- 9 shot glasses
- Your favorite beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic, depending on your crowd)
Game Rules and Variations:
- Basic Game: Each player takes turns placing their shot glass in an empty space on the board. Xs are marked on one set of glasses, and Os on the other. When a player places a shot glass, they must take a drink from it.
- Winner’s Shot: The winner (the first to get three in a row) can assign drinks to the loser. This adds another layer of fun—and perhaps a touch of strategy—to the game.
- Drunk Draw: If there’s a draw, both players have to finish their drinks.
For added difficulty, you could incorporate rounds of trivia or dares between turns. The sky’s the limit when it comes to custom rules!
Tic Tac Toe Drinking Game Variations
Let’s get creative with some wild and funny Tic Tac Toe Drinking Game variations that merge it with other popular party games like Flip Cup, Beer Pong, Bottle Flip, and more. These twists will take your regular Tic Tac Toe drinking game to a whole new level of tipsy fun!
1. Tic Tac Toe Drinking Game + Flip Cup
What happens when you merge the strategy of Tic Tac Toe with the chaotic excitement of Flip Cup? Absolute madness!
- Gameplay Twist: Instead of just placing your X or O on the board, each turn starts with a classic Flip Cup challenge. Both players have to flip their cup before placing their mark on the board. Didn’t flip your cup right? No worries, keep flipping until you nail it! Once you’ve flipped it, place your piece.
- The Big Drink: The game carries on as usual, but the loser—who fails to get three in a row—has to drink all the shot glasses on the board, King’s Cup style!
- Funny Scenario: Imagine the tension as both players keep missing their cup flips, trying over and over while the board fills up with shots. By the end, the poor loser faces the challenge of drinking every shot left on the board. Cue shaky hands and victory cheers!
This fast-paced variation turns Tic Tac Toe into a hilarious game of skill and endurance, where the loser pays for their loss with an epic final drink.
2. Tic Tac Toe Drinking Game + Bottle Flip
For the Bottle Flip pros, this version adds a fun and ridiculous twist to the classic Tic Tac Toe.
- Gameplay Twist: Before you can place your X or O on the board, you must complete a successful bottle flip. Once you do, you can place your mark on the board.
- The Big Drink: As the game progresses and the board fills with shot glasses, the real drama hits when someone loses. The loser must chug every shot glass left on the board! Funny Scenario: As the flips get harder with every drink, players get increasingly frustrated, throwing wild flips and cheering with every successful one. The real twist comes when the loser’s faced with an intimidating lineup of shot glasses at the end.
This variation turns your bottle-flipping skills into your best (or worst) Tic Tac Toe strategy!
3. Tic Tac Toe Drinking Game + Beer Pong
If you thought Beer Pong was fun on its own, wait until you try merging it with Tic Tac Toe!
- Gameplay Twist: Set up a Tic Tac Toe board first. To place your X or O, you must first land a ping pong ball in one of the empty Beer Pong cups set up nearby. Miss the shot? Try again on your next turn—no penalties!
- The Big Drink: The loser of Tic Tac Toe drinks all the shots lined up on the side, while the winner celebrates their victory.
- Funny Scenario: As players start missing shots (especially after a few drinks), the competition heats up. The intensity builds when someone is just one shot away from winning the game, leading to hilarious throws, near-misses, and plenty of cheering from the crowd. Once the game is over, the loser is left with all the lined-up shots to down in one glorious chug!
This Beer Pong twist adds precision (or lack thereof) to the classic Tic Tac Toe game, guaranteeing messy fun.
4. Tic Tac Toe Drinking Game + Relay Competition
Get ready to get your entire squad involved with this team-based variation! This one blends the Tic Tac Toe drinking game with a relay race format for extra craziness.
- Gameplay Twist: Split into two teams. Before placing an X or O on the Tic Tac Toe board, each player must complete a quick drinking game like Flip Cup, Stack Cup, or Beer Pong. Once they succeed, they can place their mark on the board.
- The Big Drink: The losing team drinks all the remaining shots on the side, King’s Cup style!
- Funny Scenario: Watch teammates cheer each other on as they struggle with wobbly hands to flip a cup or land a ball. The pressure mounts as players miss repeatedly, leading to laughs and competitive banter. The losing team faces the ultimate challenge of chugging all the leftover drinks in a victorious (or disastrous) finale!
This variation combines the speed of relay races with the strategic element of Tic Tac Toe and adds some cardio into your drinking!

5. Tic Tac Toe Drinking Game + Chess (Drunken Knight’s Challenge)
If you love strategy games, this combination of Chess and Tic Tac Toe will challenge both your mind and your liver!
- Gameplay Twist: Play a Chess game with a Tic Tac Toe twist. Whenever a player captures an opponent’s piece, they get to place an X or O on a mini Tic Tac Toe board sitting next to the chessboard.
- The Big Drink: Whoever loses the Tic Tac Toe match at any point has to drink all the shots on the Tic Tac Toe board!
- Funny Scenario: The chessboard may start out serious, but as pieces fall and shots pile up on the Tic Tac Toe board, the focus shifts. Suddenly, you’re more worried about losing Tic Tac Toe and chugging the drinks than you are about losing your queen!
This twist combines highbrow strategy with lowbrow drinking humor. By the end, even the knight will have trouble moving straight!

6. Tic Tac Toe Drinking Game + Ludo (Drunk Ludo Showdown)
Who knew Ludo and Tic Tac Toe could make such a chaotic combo? This version turns the slow-paced Ludo game into a drinking extravaganza!
- Gameplay Twist: As you roll your dice and move around the Ludo board, every time you land on an opponent’s piece and send them back to the start, you earn a turn to place an X or O on the Tic Tac Toe board.
- The Big Drink: The real kicker comes when the first player to win Tic Tac Toe gets to assign all the remaining shots on the board to the loser, who has to drink them all at once!
- Funny Scenario: As you send someone’s piece back home and take over the Tic Tac Toe board, tensions rise, and the drinks flow. It quickly becomes less about winning Ludo and more about trying not to get sent back while your friends struggle to avoid their drinking doom!
This mash-up is for groups who love slow-building competition mixed with surprise shots. Get ready for some friendly sabotage!
Where to Buy Tic Tac Toe Drinking Game Sets
If you’re not into DIY, there are plenty of ready-made Tic Tac Toe drinking sets available online. Here are some popular options:
- Amazon: Offers various styles, including glass sets with shot glasses. Perfect for party hosts who want a durable, classy option.
- Etsy: For a more personalized touch, check out handmade Tic Tac Toe drinking sets from Etsy. You can find quirky designs that are bound to be conversation starters at your next party.
- Oriental Trading: Provides affordable options for Tic Tac Toe boards with colorful shot glasses.
DIY Tic Tac Toe Drinking Game Ideas
Feeling crafty? You can easily make a DIY Tic Tac Toe drinking game using materials around your house or cheap supplies.
- Custom Tic Tac Toe Board: Draw a Tic Tac Toe grid on cardboard, or print one online. Use stickers or permanent markers to customize the shot glasses with Xs and Os.
- Creative Alternatives: Don’t have shot glasses? No problem! You can use disposable cups, mason jars, or any small cups you have around the house.
For a quick and easy setup, printable Tic Tac Toe game boards are available online. You can find simple black-and-white grids or even fancy designs with drinking-related themes. Just print, grab some shot glasses, and you’re good to go!
The First Important Thing: Responsible Drinking
Tic Tac Toe Drinking Game is the perfect way to add a splash of fun to any party, whether it’s a casual hangout or a full-blown gathering. It’s easy to learn, quick to play, and provides plenty of laughs. Just remember to play responsibly, and let the good times roll—one shot at a time!