Get ready for a wild ride with the Speed Bump drinking game, a fast-paced card challenge that’s anything but predictable! It might seem simple at first — just guess if the next card is higher or lower than the one before it. Easy, right? Not so fast! There’s a sneaky twist, known as the “Speed Bump,” lurking in the deck, ready to throw your plans off course and slap you with surprise drink penalties. Whether you’re playing with just two friends or a large group, the game’s simplicity and increasing penalties make it the perfect choice for any party.
Table of Contents
How to Set Up the Speed Bump Drinking Game
Game Essentials: What You Need
To get started with the Speed Bump drinking game, you only need:
- A standard deck of 52 cards.
- A minimum of two players, though more players make the game even more fun.
- Your drink of choice (alcoholic or non-alcoholic).
Once you have these, gather around a table and prepare for the fun. Remember, the game is all about predicting card values, so stay sharp!
Arranging the Cards
Here’s the setup:
- The dealer deals five cards in a straight line in the center of the table.
- Four of these cards are placed face up, while the middle card is placed face down. This hidden card is called the “Speed Bump.”
- The dealer holds the rest of the deck to draw from as the game progresses.
The dealer will handle the rest of the deck, and the first player will begin guessing whether the next card in the deck is higher or lower than the end card of the line. If you’re right, you move to the next card, inching closer to that all-important Speed Bump.
Gameplay: How to Play the Speed Bump Drinking Game
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Guess Higher or Lower: The dealer asks the first player to guess whether the next card from the deck will be higher or lower than the end card of the row. For example, if the end card is a 6, the player guesses whether the next card will be higher (7 and above) or lower (5 and below). This rule is similar to those found in card games like Irish Poker and Death Box.
- Continue to the Next Card: If the player guesses correctly, they move on to the next card in the line, repeating the process. The aim is to correctly guess whether each following card will be higher or lower.
- The Speed Bump Card: When the player reaches the face-down card — the Speed Bump — they must guess whether it’s higher or lower without seeing it. This twist adds suspense and can quickly lead to drinking penalties if they guess wrong.
- Wrong Guesses: If the player guesses incorrectly at any point, they take a drink. The number of drinks depends on how far along the line they are:
- First card: 1 drink
- Second card: 2 drinks
- Third card: 3 drinks
- Fourth card: 4 drinks
- Fifth card: 5 drinks
- Starting Over: After a wrong guess, the player has to start over from the first card, and the dealer draws a new card to replace the one that was guessed incorrectly. This means the challenge — and the drinks — can pile up quickly!
Special Rule: Hitting the Post
If the card drawn from the deck is the same as the card in the row (e.g., both cards are 8s), this is called “hitting the post.” When this happens, the player must double the amount they drink for that card. So if they hit the post on the second card, they’ll need to take four drinks instead of two!
Running Out of Cards
If a player can’t successfully guess all five cards in a row before the deck runs out, they owe a “special drink,” which could be anything from a shot to a beer chug, depending on the group’s choice.
Special Rules and Wild Variations for Speed Bump
If you’re looking to spice things up even more during your Speed Bump drinking game, we’ve got you covered. These creative and wild variations will crank up the fun, keep everyone guessing, and, of course, guarantee plenty of laughs. Try out these twists to make the game more unpredictable and entertaining!
1. Double Trouble Speed Bump
In this variation, we turn the heat up by adding two Speed Bumps! Instead of just one hidden card in the middle, place two face-down cards — one in the third spot and another in the fifth spot. Players must now successfully navigate through two blind guesses.
- Double the Risk: If a player guesses wrong on either Speed Bump, they have to finish their drink — no sips, just chug!
- Double the Reward: If they guess both Speed Bumps correctly, they can choose another player to finish their drink.
2. The Speed Bump Gauntlet
This version is for the brave-hearted. In the Gauntlet, each wrong guess not only results in a drink, but also a dare or challenge that must be completed. Before guessing a card, the player declares a challenge for themselves (or assigned by the group). If they guess wrong, they must complete that challenge before continuing to play.
- Challenges can include:
- Do 10 push-ups.
- Speak in a fake accent until your next turn.
- Wear a ridiculous hat or outfit for the rest of the round.
- Share an embarrassing story or answer a truth question from the group.
- Bonus Rule: If a player guesses all five cards correctly, they get to assign dares to the rest of the group!
3. The Speed Bump Time Trial
For those who love a race against the clock, the Time Trial variation adds a thrilling new twist. Each player has only 30 seconds to guess all five cards, including the Speed Bump. If they can’t complete their guesses within the time limit, they must chug their entire drink!
- Speed Up the Pace: Add a timer to keep things high-energy and chaotic. Players can choose whether they want to be fast but risky with their guesses, or take calculated risks and hope they don’t run out of time.
- Special Penalty: If a player runs out of time while on the Speed Bump card, they owe a shot or a shotgun!
4. Reverse Speed Bump
Time to flip the script. In Reverse Speed Bump, the rules change once you reach the Speed Bump card. Instead of guessing higher or lower, players must guess the exact number of the face-down Speed Bump card.
- Wild Penalty: If they guess wrong, they take two drinks for every number they were off. Guess a 2 when the Speed Bump is an 8? That’s 12 drinks (or, you know, sip slowly).
- Magic Save: If by some miracle, a player guesses the number exactly, they can skip the rest of their turn and make someone else drink instead!
5. The Postman’s Revenge
This variant revolves around the “hitting the post” rule, where two cards of the same value show up. Usually, this just means double the drinks, but in Postman’s Revenge, hitting the post triggers chaos.
- Postman’s Wild Ride: When someone hits the post, they must finish their drink and swap seats with another player. If they land in a spot where someone else was just about to guess the Speed Bump, they have to handle the guess for them — and the consequences.
- Group Twist: The entire group takes a drink if anyone hits the post. If the post is hit twice in one round, the dealer has to take double the drinks!
6. Bump It Up
Bump It Up is the ultimate challenge for competitive spirits. Each round, players must add an extra Speed Bump to the row of cards. Start with one Speed Bump in the middle, but for each new round, place another Speed Bump at random in the line.
- More Bumps, More Fun: With every added Speed Bump, the penalties multiply. If a player hits a Speed Bump and guesses wrong, they take drinks for each Speed Bump on the table (so with three Speed Bumps, that’s triple the drinks!).
- Survival Mode: Keep playing until there are no more cards left in the deck, and see who can survive the most Speed Bumps without collapsing!
7. The Double Dealer’s Curse
In this sneaky variation, the dealer gets involved in the action. Before each round, the dealer secretly writes down whether they think the player will guess the Speed Bump correctly or not. If the dealer is right, the player owes them a drink. If the dealer is wrong, they owe the player a drink!
- Bonus Chaos: If the dealer is right three times in a row, they get to sit out and assign their drinks to another player for the next round.
- Dealer’s Revenge: If a player hits the post during the dealer’s round, the dealer can make any player drink double.
Best Drinks for the Speed Bump Drinking Game
Choosing the right drink is crucial for any successful Speed Bump game. Here’s a breakdown of the best drinks, based on your tolerance level and how wild you want your game night to be.
1. Light and Easy: Keep It Chill
If you want to stay in the game without overdoing it, light beers and hard seltzers are your go-to. They’re easy to drink and won’t leave you bloated after a few rounds.
Top picks: Bud Light, White Claw, Corona Light. Perfect for a fun night where you stay in control and avoid the morning-after headache.
2. The Middle Ground: Buzz, Not Blitzed
For a slight buzz without going overboard, cocktails strike the balance. Enjoy the fun, but stay sharp enough to laugh at your friends’ wild guesses.
Favorites: Vodka cranberry, rum and coke, gin and tonic. You’ll feel the buzz, but keep your head in the game — just watch out for those penalties!
3. For the Brave: Go Big or Go Home
Feeling daring? Reach for whiskey, tequila, or bourbon to crank up the intensity. But beware — the wrong guess could hit hard.
Wild options: Jägermeister, Fireball, Patron shots. Expect things to get blurry fast, with plenty of hilarious mishaps along the way.
4. Non-Alcoholic Options: Fun Without the Fuzz
If you’re skipping alcohol or need a break, opt for mocktails, sparkling water, or kombucha to stay refreshed and join the fun.
Try this: Virgin Speed Bump Punch (fruit juice + soda). Stay in the loop while your friends navigate their Speed Bump disasters!
Speed Bump Drinking Game for Special Occasions
Why keep Speed Bump to just regular game nights? You can turn this fun game into the highlight of any special occasion with these custom rule sets:
1. Birthday Edition
The birthday person gets special privileges, like skipping the first penalty drink or assigning drinks to anyone who guesses wrong. But beware — if the birthday player hits the Speed Bump and guesses wrong, everyone drinks!
2. Christmas Speed Bump
Add some holiday cheer by making the game more festive. Swap the regular drinks for eggnog, mulled wine, or hot chocolate with a kick. Players wear Santa hats, and if someone guesses wrong on the Speed Bump, they have to do their best “Ho Ho Ho” impression before drinking. Extra drinks for anyone who can’t pull off a solid Santa voice!
3. St. Patrick’s Day Speed Bump
Since St. Patrick’s Day is practically made for drinking games, it’s a perfect time for Speed Bump. Replace the cards with green deck cards, and the penalty drink is always Irish beer or whiskey. For an added twist, if anyone hits the post, they have to do a little Irish jig before taking their penalty drink.
Best Music Playlists to Pair with Speed Bump
Music can make or break the mood, and with Speed Bump, you need the right vibes to keep the energy high. Here are some killer playlists to crank up during your game:
1. Speed Bump Beats
Keep it light and fun with party anthems that everyone loves. Think upbeat tracks that match the unpredictable nature of the game.
Top tracks: “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars, “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake, “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift. These feel-good songs keep the party vibe alive!
2. Bumpy Road Jams
Looking for a theme? Go with road-inspired hits that will have everyone laughing as they hit their own speed bumps — in the game and with their drinks.
Play this: “Life Is a Highway” by Rascal Flatts, “Hit the Road Jack” by Ray Charles, “I Can’t Drive 55” by Sammy Hagar. It’s all about driving through the game… while possibly derailing.
3. Fast and Furious: Drinking Edition
For those fast-paced rounds, you’ll need high-energy, pump-you-up beats just like The Fast and Furious. EDM and upbeat pop tracks will keep you hyped for every sip.
Crank it up: “Don’t Stop the Party” by Pitbull, “Titanium” by David Guetta, “Stay” by Zedd. Every penalty drink will feel like a party victory lap!
Speed Bump is the perfect drinking game for anyone looking for fast-paced fun with a twist. From the simple setup to the unpredictable Speed Bump, every round brings laughs and surprises. So grab your deck of cards, gather your friends, and let the games begin! Just remember: if you hit that Speed Bump, get ready to drink up!