How I Met Your Mother Drinking Game: Fun Rules Beyond Slap Bets and Canada

Are you ready to turn your next How I Met Your Mother marathon into an unforgettable, legendary experience? If you’re a true fan of Barney’s high fives, Robin’s Canadian pride, and Ted’s long-winded stories, then adding a drinking game to your viewing is just what you need. 

Simple How I Met Your Mother Drinking Game Rules

If you’re just getting started, these basic rules will get everyone in the game without having to remember too much.

Take a Drink Whenever:

Character-Specific Drinking Game Variations

Want to add some character-driven fun? These rules are based on your favorite HIMYM personalities, so you can take a drink when your favorite character does what they do best.

Barney Stinson’s Drinking Game

For the ultimate ladies’ man and master of suits:

• Drink every time Barney says “legendary” or “suit up.”
• He pulls off a magic trick or uses a cheesy pick-up line? Drink up.
• When Barney forces someone into a high-five or fist bump, it’s time for a sip.
• And don’t forget: “True Story!”—each one deserves a drink.

Robin Scherbatsky’s Drinking Game

Our favorite Canadian news anchor has some classic habits:

• Drink when Robin says “literally.”
• Any mention of her Canadian roots or maple syrup? Bottoms up!
• When Robin produces a gun out of nowhere, take a big drink (seriously, how many does she have?).

Ted Mosby’s Drinking Game

Our hopeless romantic architect deserves his own set of rules:

• Drink whenever Ted corrects someone (because of course he does).
• When Ted starts a sentence with “Kids…” it’s drink time.
• Anytime he talks about “the mother” (whether he’s met her or not), take a drink.

Marshall and Lily’s Drinking Game

For the HIMYM power couple:

• Marshall’s singing about literally anything? Drink. Extra points if it’s about something random.
• Drink when Marshall delivers one of his legendary “Lawyered!” lines.
• Lily meddling in someone’s life? Of course she is! Time for a sip.

Wild Variations for How I Met Your Mother Drinking Game

The Intervention Game

This game involves props, because let’s be real, it’s not a proper HIMYM night without an intervention!

Create Your Own Intervention Banner: Anytime someone in the show makes a bad decision (like Ted dating a crazy girl), pause the show and hold up your homemade intervention banner.

Drinking Rules:

• Drink every time someone in the show really needs an intervention (Ted being insufferable about love, Barney hitting on everything that moves, etc.).
• The first person to call for the intervention gets to pick a new rule that everyone else must follow for the rest of the episode (e.g., every time someone says “literally,” everyone must take a deep breath before drinking).

The Robin Sparkles Karaoke Challenge

This is for the brave souls willing to let out their inner ’80s pop star.

When to Play: Every time Robin’s alter ego, Robin Sparkles, makes an appearance.

Drinking Rules:

• As soon as Robin’s song “Let’s Go to the Mall” or any Robin Sparkles music starts, you have to stand up and join the Karaoke Drinking Game. Yes, even if you don’t know the words!
• Drink if you get the lyrics wrong, but the rest of the group has to finish their drinks if you pull off the entire chorus flawlessly.
• Bonus: If someone gets up and sings any song in French Canadian, everyone else has to drink until they’re done.

The Playbook Roleplay

In true Barney Stinson fashion, it’s time to dust off The Playbook.

Props Needed: A fake book, or just grab a notebook and call it “The Playbook.”

Drinking Rules:

• Anytime Barney pulls off a crazy pickup move, someone in the group has to pause the show and perform their own pickup line.
• If the line is successful (if someone in the group gives them a “you got me!” high-five), everyone else drinks. If they fail, they drink.
• Bonus rule: If you pull off “The Lorenzo von Matterhorn” or something equally ridiculous, everyone else finishes their drinks in awe of your awesomeness.

Slap Bet Roulette

There’s no escaping “Slapsgiving” in this game. It’s the ultimate wild card.

How it Works:

• Assign someone to be the Slap Bet Commissioner. At any point in the episode, they can call for a slap (but only a few times per episode, to avoid chaos).
• You have 10 seconds to slap someone (lightly!) in your group and they have to drink. If they dodge it? You drink instead.
• Slapstakes: During Slapsgiving episodes, every time someone mentions “slap bet,” everyone picks a number from 1 to 10 and drinks that many sips.

Drunk Architect Challenge

Inspired by Ted’s architectural rants, this game is for all the aspiring architects (or those who can barely build a sandcastle).

Drinking Rules:

• During any scene where Ted talks about architecture or his dreams, someone in the group has to draw an absurd blueprint on a napkin. (Bonus points for using ketchup as ink if you’re really in the spirit.)
• If it vaguely looks like a building by the end of the episode, everyone else drinks. If it looks more like a potato, the artist drinks.
• Bonus rule: If Ted gets super pretentious about architecture, everyone must toast him and finish their drinks in a sarcastic “Cheers to architecture!”

Legendary or Challenge Accepted! Face-Off

Barney’s favorite words just got a competitive twist.

How it Works:

• Every time Barney says “legendary” or “challenge accepted,” the group must come up with a ridiculous dare for two players to face off.
• Examples: Who can do the best Barney impression? Who can pull off the most Canadian thing possible (sorry, Robin)?
• The winner gets to assign drinks to the loser. The loser, well, they’re finishing their drink while giving Barney a salute.

Canada vs. America Showdown

It’s time to make Robin proud or prove that America is awesome.

How it Works:

• Every time Robin mentions Canada or Barney makes fun of it, the group splits into Team Canada and Team America.
• Team America must drink whenever Barney trashes Canada, and Team Canada drinks whenever Robin defends it.
• Bonus round: If there’s a Canadian or American flag on screen, both teams chug. Maple syrup chugging contest optional but highly encouraged.

Who Wants to Be Ted’s Kids? 

This one’s for the long-suffering children of Ted Mosby who had to listen to his entire life story.

How it Works:

• Whenever the show cuts to Ted’s kids, everyone in the group has to groan like they’ve heard a dad joke. The last person to groan? They drink.
• Drink every time Ted starts with “Kids…” (you’re one of them now).
• Final challenge: If you can summarize Ted’s rambling stories without missing any key points (good luck with that), assign a drink to someone. If you fail, well, you know what to do—finish your drink!

The Hot-Crazy Scale Drinking Game

Get ready for some wild moments every time Barney mentions the “Hot-Crazy Scale.”

How it Works:

• Any time Barney refers to someone as crazy or hot, everyone has to make a “hot or crazy” decision about one of the characters in the episode.
• If the group votes “hot,” they take one drink; if it’s “crazy,” they take two.
• Bonus rule: Anyone who references their own hot-crazy situation in real life gets a pass for that round, but everyone else drinks in their honor.

Edward 40 Hands: The Drunk Train Challenge

In How I Met Your Mother Season 7, Episode 16, “The Drunk Train,” Marshall dives into the Edward 40 Hands challenge in hilarious fashion. The setup is simple but absurd: two 40-ounce bottles of beer duct-taped to each hand, leaving him to navigate the evening with limited ability.

How to Play Edward 40 Hands in Marshall Style:

1. Tape It Down: Each player starts with two 40-ounce bottles duct-taped to their hands. Once those bottles are secure, the challenge is on — no bathroom breaks or un-taping until both bottles are empty!
2. Drinking Game Rules:
   • “The Drunk Train Toast”: Every time a toast or drink is raised in the episode, take a sip to match the celebration. It’s all about keeping up with the energy of the Drunk Train crowd.
   • “Marshall’s Bathroom Struggle”: Like Marshall, you’re committed to the bottles until they’re done. Whenever someone says “bathroom” or “pee” (or a player really has to go), everyone takes a drink in solidarity.
   • “Ted’s Love Philosophy”: Anytime Ted starts to talk about romance, destiny, or “the one,” everyone has to look starry-eyed and say “Aww, Ted!” The last person to join in has to take a long sip.
   • “Lily Text Check”: Each time Marshall mentions or texts Lily in the episode, take a drink. If you’re playing with your partner, tap bottles with them each time for a bonus sip!
   • “Drunk Train Dance Break”: When the characters break into a dance or anything close to it, everyone must join in with a small “dance” (bottles still in hand). Last person to start dancing has to take two penalty sips.
3. Final Round: “Finish and Free Your Hands”
   The first person to finish both bottles gets the title of “Drunk Train Champion.” They can also assign a drink to any remaining players still working through their bottles. Once everyone has finished, celebrate your Edward 40 Hands victory — Marshall-style!

Best Snacks and Cocktails for HIMYM Drinking Game

You can’t properly enjoy a HIMYM drinking game without some delicious snacks and thematic drinks to go along with it. Whether you’re drinking beer, cocktails, or mocktails, we’ve got you covered with HIMYM-inspired ideas that will make your night even better.

Snacks

• Canadian Bacon Pizza: Pay homage to Robin’s Canadian pride with a pizza topped with Canadian bacon. Every time she talks about Canada, grab a slice.
• The Perfect Burger: Channel your inner Marshall and serve up sliders or burgers. Bonus game: have everyone vote on which one tastes closest to “the best burger in New York.”
• Barney’s Chicken Wings: There’s no better snack to go with Barney’s famous playbook antics than some sticky, spicy wings. Eat them every time Barney says something outrageous (which, let’s be real, is often).

Cocktails

• The Blue French Horn: A signature cocktail made with blue curaçao, vodka, and lemonade, inspired by Ted’s grand romantic gesture to Robin. Sip on it every time Ted does something wildly romantic (or cringeworthy).
• The Red Canadian: A nod to Robin, this drink could be a mix of cranberry juice, vodka, and a splash of soda. Drink it whenever Robin says “literally” or anything about Canada.
• The Pineapple Incident Punch: Create a tropical punch with rum, pineapple juice, and a splash of coconut cream. Take a swig whenever someone in the show drinks—especially if Ted’s getting drunk.

Friends and HIMYM: Which Show Will Get You Tipsy Faster?

If you’re a fan of both Friends and How I Met Your Mother, you’re probably already familiar with their quirky humor, iconic catchphrases, and endless re-watch value. But which show has the best drinking game? Here are shared drinking game rules for both shows.

Take a Sip Whenever:

• The group is seen hanging out at Central Perk or MacLaren’s Pub.
• Someone references an ex or past relationship.
• There’s a flashback scene.
• A character does something embarrassingly awkward in a romantic situation.
• A famous guest star makes an appearance.
• There’s an inside joke or catchphrase that only the group of friends understand.
• The characters gather on a couch or booth together.

Finish Your Drink When:

• Two characters have a romantic kiss or make up after a fight.
• There’s a dramatic breakup or someone mentions a “break.”
• The group gets involved in a ridiculous competition or bet (i.e., the Slap Bet in HIMYM or Ross’s trivia game in Friends).
• Someone has an emotional heart-to-heart with a friend about life, love, or their future.

The Ultimate HIMYM Quote Quiz 

Ready to test your knowledge of How I Met Your Mother? It’s time to throw down with a HIMYM quote quiz—because what better way to prove your fan status than knowing every iconic line? The rules are simple: get the quote right, and you’re safe. Get it wrong, and drink!

1. “It’s going to be legen—wait for it—dary!” Who says it? Barney Stinson.

• Right answer: Cheers to your knowledge! Everyone else drinks.
• Wrong answer: Sorry, but you’ll have to finish your drink in shame.

2. “Lawyered!” Who says it? Marshall Eriksen.

• Right answer: Nice! Give a gavel slam and assign someone else a drink.
• Wrong answer: Marshall would be disappointed, take a drink yourself.

3. “Let’s Go to the Mall!” Who sings it? Robin Scherbatsky as Robin Sparkles.

• Right answer: Time for a sing-along! Make someone else drink.
• Wrong answer: You clearly haven’t embraced your inner Robin Sparkles—take a big sip.

4. “Have you met Ted?” Who says it? Barney, introducing Ted to potential dates.

• Right answer: Good job wingman! Make someone else drink.
• Wrong answer: You failed at wingmanning—finish your drink.

5. “Kids, this is the story of how I met your mother.” Who says it? Ted Mosby.

• Right answer: Pat yourself on the back. Everyone else drinks.
• Wrong answer: Ted’s narration has gone over your head—down that drink!

There you have it! A HIMYM drinking game that’s fun, challenging, and perfect for any fan of the series. Whether you’re looking to relive the legendary moments with a small group of friends or power through a whole season in one night, this game has you covered. Get your drinks ready, settle in for some Ted Mosby life lessons, and remember: whatever happens, it’s going to be legend—wait for it—dary!