Who knew that a simple card game could turn your next party into an absolute blast? Enter Drunk UNO – the wild drinking game version of the classic card game that will have you laughing, competing, and maybe even regretting that last Draw 4!
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What Is the UNO Drinking Game?
UNO, the card game of color-matching and strategic action cards, is a party staple that’s been around since 1971. The goal is simple: be the first player to discard all your cards by matching them with the top card on the discard pile. While the original game is plenty fun, adding drinks into the mix? Well, that just takes it to the next level.
How to Play Drunk UNO: Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to turn the classic game into Drunk UNO? Here’s everything you need to set up and play, with some fun drinking rules thrown in to keep things interesting.
Setting Up the Game
First things first, you’ll need:
- A deck of UNO cards
- A group of fun-loving friends (the more, the merrier!)
- Drinks of your choice—beer, cocktails, or even non-alcoholic options for those who prefer not to imbibe.
Steps to Set Up
- Shuffle the UNO deck and deal seven cards to each player.
- Place the remaining cards in the middle as the draw pile. Flip over the top card to start the discard pile.
- Decide on your drinking rules. Everyone agrees on what counts as a sip, a shot, or a penalty. Now you’re ready to roll!
Drinking Rules for Drunk UNO
- Draw 2: The player hit with this card takes two drinks—one for each card they draw.
- Draw 4 (Wild Draw 4): The unlucky player hit with this takes four drinks (one per card) and shouts, “Why me?!”
- Skip: The skipped player takes one drink to console themselves for missing their turn.
- Reverse: The reversed player takes a drink for having the game turn against them.
- Wild Card: The player who plays this card chooses the color and chooses someone to take a drink.
- Number Cards (0-9): Whenever a number card is played, all players with the same number must take a drink.
- Wild Draw 4 Challenge: If a player challenges a Wild Draw 4, the loser of the challenge takes two extra drinks (whether it’s the challenger or the one who played it).
- Color Change Penalty: If the game’s color changes (due to a Wild or a matching card), everyone takes a drink to “reset” for the new color.
- Stacked Draw 2s: If Draw 2s are stacked, the final person who draws must drink for every Draw 2 card in the stack.
- UNO Call Fail: Forget to call “UNO” when you have one card left? Take two drinks as a penalty.
- Winning a Round: The round winner gives out three drinks to anyone they choose, distributed however they want.
- Last Place Penalty: The player left with the most cards at the end of a round must finish their drink.
- Reverse Loop: If two Reverse cards are played consecutively, both players involved must take a drink.
- Skip Stack: If two Skip cards are played in a row, the first skipped player must take two drinks.
- Discard All (House Rule): If using the optional “Discard All” card (house rule), when a player discards all of a color at once, everyone else takes a drink.
Funny House Rules to Spice Up Drunk UNO
Want to add some extra fun and unpredictability to your Drunk UNO game? Create your own house rules that amp up the challenge and lead to more laughs. Here are some hilarious custom rules to try out:
- Slap the Table Rule: Every time a Wild card is played, everyone must slap the table. The last person to do it has to take a shot. This keeps everyone alert and on edge, ready for a fast reaction.
- UNO? More Like Two-No!: If someone calls “UNO” but gets challenged and has to pick up cards, they also have to take two sips for each extra card they draw.
- Drink for Matching Colors: Whenever you play a card that matches the color of the card in the discard pile, take a sip. This happens constantly, so it keeps drinks flowing without much thought.
- Double Trouble: If two Draw 2 or Draw 4 cards are played in a row (stacked), the player who ends up drawing must also finish their drink. It’s a brutal but funny consequence of getting hit by multiple penalties.
- Drunk UNO Whisperer: For one full round, everyone can only whisper. If someone forgets and speaks in a normal voice, they must finish their drink. This rule adds a silly challenge and lots of quiet laughter!
Drunk UNO Game Variations from Around the World
Drunk UNO may have started as a simple twist on the classic card game, but it’s evolved into something entirely its own in different parts of the world. People love putting their regional spin on this boozy game, adding fun, creative rules that reflect their drinking cultures and party vibes. Here are some of the coolest variations you might want to try with your crew:
UK’s Proper Pint Punishment
In British-style games, the Drunk UNO punishment for certain cards (like Draw 4 or Skip) is to down a full pint of beer. This game emphasizes pacing, so it’s not unusual for players to stick with lighter beers. If you’re playing with hard drinks, house rules often involve small, steady sips instead of huge chugs to keep the party from getting too wild, too fast.
Germany’s Schnapps Snap
Germans love their schnapps, and in this version, every time a Wild card is played, the player must take a quick shot of schnapps. For Draw 4s, everyone at the table drinks a shot. As with most German drinking games, this version combines social fun with the spirit of tradition, making it perfect for gatherings.
Mexico’s Tequila Terror
Tequila is king in this Mexican game twist. When a Draw 2 or Draw 4 card hits you, the penalty isn’t just taking drinks—it’s taking tequila shots! There’s also a special rule where anyone who forgets to call “UNO” must take a sip of salted tequila (which some say is worse than straight tequila!).
Australia’s Card Hop
Aussies bring their laid-back, fun-loving attitude to Drunk UNO. Whenever a Wild card is played, everyone must jump to a different seat at the table, but before sitting down, they must take a drink. This twist keeps the energy high and ensures no one stays too comfortable.
Japan’s Sake Switch
In this version, whenever a player draws a Wild or Skip card, they can choose to switch their drink with someone else’s, but here’s the catch: one person always has a sake cup! This rule keeps the game unpredictable as players swap drinks and take sips of whatever’s in front of them.
Creative Drink Ideas for Drunk UNO
Playing Drunk UNO is only half the fun—what you’re sipping on can totally elevate the game night experience. Sure, you could stick with beer, but why not shake things up with creative, theme-based drinks that add extra excitement to each round? Here are some fun, UNO-inspired drink ideas to try out:
UNO Rainbow Shots
To match UNO’s colorful cards, mix up rainbow shots for each color.
- Red Shot: Cranberry vodka with a splash of grenadine.
- Yellow Shot: Pineapple juice and tequila with a twist of lemon.
- Green Shot: Midori melon liqueur with a dash of lime.
- Blue Shot: Blue Curaçao with vodka and soda.
Each time a Wild card is played, the player picks which color shot the table has to drink!
The Draw 4 Cocktail
This potent drink is perfect for those wild Draw 4 moments. Mix four different liquors (gin, rum, tequila, and vodka) with cola and lemon juice—think of it as a supercharged Long Island Iced Tea. Whoever gets hit with a Draw 4 has to take a big sip!
The Reverse Margarita
Create a classic margarita, but with a twist: add a bit of jalapeño for a spicy kick to reflect the chaos of a Reverse card. Whoever gets reversed in the game has to take a sip and cool down after the spicy surprise.
Wild Card Punch
Make a large batch of fruity punch with a mix of vodka, orange juice, and fruit slices. Every time a Wild card is played, everyone takes a drink of this punch—making it the “wild” part of the game.
Skip Sip Sangria
Serve up a big bowl of sangria filled with fresh fruit, wine, and brandy. Whenever someone gets skipped, they must take two sips of sangria to make up for missing their turn.
Best Snacks to Pair with Drunk UNO
Drunk UNO is fun and all, but let’s be honest: you’re going to need some good snacks to keep everyone fueled during the game. The key is to go for snacks that are easy to eat between turns and won’t make a mess. Here are some tasty, crowd-pleasing ideas that pair perfectly with your game night:
UNO Nacho Platter
A giant platter of nachos is always a hit. Layer tortilla chips with cheese, jalapeños, guacamole, and sour cream, and let everyone dig in between plays. Bonus: use color-coordinated toppings like red peppers, green onions, and yellow corn to match UNO’s card colors!
Mini Sliders
Prepare bite-sized sliders with a variety of fillings—beef, chicken, or veggie burgers. These are perfect finger foods that won’t get in the way of the game and keep everyone’s hands grease-free.
Chips and Dips Galore
Keep it simple with a variety of chips (potato, tortilla, pita) and different dips like guacamole, salsa, and hummus. Easy to grab between plays, chips and dips are a game night staple.
Pizza Rolls or Flatbread Slices
Go for pizza rolls or cut flatbreads into small slices so they’re easy to munch on during the game. Pizza’s always a fan favorite, and the bite-sized format makes it mess-free for game night.
Color-Coordinated Veggie Tray
In keeping with the UNO theme, arrange a veggie tray by color: red peppers, green cucumbers, yellow bell peppers, and purple carrots. Pair with ranch or hummus for a healthy, crunchy snack that balances out the drinks.
With these special and creative Drunk UNO rules, your game will be anything but predictable. These twists keep everyone laughing, thinking on their feet, and fully engaged. So, next time you shuffle that deck, throw in some of these wild cards and watch the chaos unfold. Just remember—play safe, drink responsibly, and most importantly, have fun!