Cardinal Puff Drinking Game: Rules, History, and Dad’s Army Twist

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at a drinking game that’s more than just downing a beer and calling it a night? Enter the Cardinal Puff drinking game, a centuries-old ritual that challenges not only your drinking stamina but also your memory and motor skills. Ready to dive in? Let’s break it down and see if you have what it takes to become a true Cardinal!

History and Traditions Behind Cardinal Puff

The origins of Cardinal Puff are unclear, but it’s thought to have been popular with fraternal groups and military officers. With its elaborate rules, it likely served as both a bonding exercise and a way to test who could drink and still keep their wits. Some believe it began in 19th-century England, where officers and gentlemen would engage in this ceremonial drinking game as a way to prove their wit and coordination while tips.

Over time, the game has evolved into a popular drinking challenge at colleges and among friend groups looking for something more challenging than your standard pub crawl. Its longevity speaks to its unique combination of mental and physical tests – all while drinking!

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Play Cardinal Puff

Playing Cardinal Puff requires focus, memory, and, well, quite a bit of alcohol. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the game:

First Round – Cardinal One

1. Start by declaring: “This is for Cardinal Puff. I drink to Cardinal Puff. Once I drink, and only once.”
2. Using your right hand, tap the table once with your index finger.
3. Tap your glass once with your index finger.
4. Raise your glass, take one sip, and place it back down.
5. Tap the table once more, then tap your glass once again.
6. Finish the round by saying, “Once a Cardinal, always a Cardinal!”
7. Repeat the same sequence with your left hand.

Second Round – Cardinal Two

1. Now it’s time to double up! Declare: “This is for Cardinal Puff. I drink to Cardinal Puff. Twice I drink, and only twice.”
2. Tap the table twice with your right hand, then tap your glass twice.
3. Take two sips, then set the glass down.
4. Repeat the sequence: two taps on the table, two taps on the glass.
5. End with: “Twice a Cardinal, always a Cardinal!”
6. Perform the entire sequence again with your left hand.

Third Round – Cardinal Three

1. Now, things get tricky. Declare: “This is for Cardinal Puff. I drink to Cardinal Puff. Thrice I drink, and only thrice.”
2. Tap the table three times with your right hand, then tap your glass three times.
3. Take three sips and set the glass down.
4. Repeat the sequence: three taps on the table, three taps on the glass.
5. End the round with: “Thrice a Cardinal, always a Cardinal!”
6. Repeat everything with your left hand.

Pro Tip: Watch Out for Mistakes!

As you advance through the rounds, each step gets harder. One misstep—whether it’s a wrong tap, a missed sip, or a jumbled phrase—and you’ll have to start the round over, plus take an extra sip as a penalty!

Cardinal Puff: Dad’s Army Drinking Party Edition

The Cardinal Puff drinking game made its way into pop culture in one of the most beloved British sitcoms of all time—Dad’s Army. This show, set during World War II, follows the antics of a bumbling group of Home Guard soldiers who are hilariously unprepared for actual combat. 

In this epic drinking game version, you’ll channel the hilarious antics of Captain Mainwaring and his crew as they attempt to master the art of Cardinal Puff—with all the inevitable mistakes and laughs along the way.

Setting the Scene

Transform your party into a Dad’s Army-inspired showdown. Each guest is a “soldier” in this drinking mission, but instead of facing combat, they’ll be taking on the tricky gestures and sips of Cardinal Puff. Appoint someone as Captain Mainwaring—they’ll act as the commander, barking out the rules and trying to maintain order (though they’ll probably fail spectacularly).

How to Play Cardinal Puff: Dad’s Army Style

Just like in the show, the goal is simple: complete each round of Cardinal Puff without messing up. Tap the table, tap the glass, and sip, all in perfect sequence. The catch? As more drinks are involved, precision goes out the window, and chaos reigns—just like in the world of Dad’s Army.

• Captain Mainwaring: The overly serious “commander” who tries to keep everyone on track but might be the first to slip up.
• Sergeant Wilson: The laid-back player who plays it cool, adding their own relaxed (or lazy) spin on the gestures.
• Mistakes? Mess up the order? Take a drink and try again!

Cardinal Puff vs. Thumper: A Drinking Game Showdown

When it comes to drinking games, Cardinal Puff and Thumper are two classics that couldn’t be more different, yet both offer their own brand of fun, chaos, and hilarity. 

The Key Differences

• Cardinal Puff is slow, structured, and focused on memory and precision. Think of it as a mental and physical endurance test, wrapped up in a drinking game.
• Thumper is fast, chaotic, and all about quick reflexes and reactions. It’s a game of rapid-fire gestures that encourages mistakes and frantic fun.

Gestures and Hand Signals

• Cardinal Puff: Gestures are precise and ritualistic. You tap the table and your glass in a specific sequence that increases with each round. No creativity, everyone just follows the same routine.
• Thumper: Each player picks their own unique hand signal, ranging from a thumbs up to more elaborate gestures like binoculars. The gestures are light-hearted and often ridiculous, adding to the game’s fun and chaos.

Chanting and Rhythm

• Cardinal Puff: There’s no group chant. Instead, players have to recite a formal phrase like “This is for Cardinal Puff, I drink to Cardinal Puff” at the beginning of each round. The chant becomes longer and more complex as the rounds progress.
• Thumper: Thumper kicks off with a loud, high-energy chant led by the chosen leader, such as:Leader: “What’s the name of the game?” Group: “Thumper!”After the chant, players maintain a constant rhythm by thumping their hands on the table, setting the fast pace of the game. 

Which Game is for You?

• If you like structure and strategy, Cardinal Puff is your game. It’s a test of skill, where each round demands more focus as the drinks pile up.
• If you prefer high-energy, fast-paced games, Thumper is perfect. It’s all about staying in the rhythm and laughing at how quickly everything falls apart.

Why choose? Start your night with Thumper to get the party laughing, and wind down with Cardinal Puff for a challenge that will really test your drinking skills!