If you’ve ever thought cricket needed more booze and banter, the Howzat drinking game is here to save your innings. Inspired by the iconic appeal yell “Howzat!” in cricket, the game translates wickets into sips, outs into chugs, and no-balls into punishment rounds. This game combines the slow-burn suspense of a cricket match with the rapid-fire antics of a wild night out.
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What is “Howzat?”
“Howzat?” is a famous appeal cry in cricket—typically shouted by fielders to the umpire after a delivery they believe has dismissed the batsman, especially for LBW (Leg Before Wicket). It’s short for “How’s that?” and packs all the excitement, tension, and theatrical drama of the sport into a single, iconic exclamation. The moment is usually loud, impulsive, and attention-grabbing—just like the drinking game it inspired. In the Howzat drinking game, that high-energy appeal transforms into the cue for chaos, drinks, and cricket-themed hilarity.
How to Play the Howzat Drinking Game
Popular Rules Inspired by Cricket Terms
Make it spicy with cricket lingo:
- LBW (Leg Before Wine): You got hit. Chug.
- Caught Behind: Everyone else drinks except you.
- No Ball: Extra shot for the roller.
- Golden Duck: Out on first draw—finish your drink.
- Sixer: Give six sips to anyone.
House Rules from Fan-favorite
Reddit’s full of genius (or mad) ideas:
- Add crowd chants when someone’s out.
- Use actual commentary clips for real-time penalties.
- Assign roles: Umpire, Bowler, Drunk Wicket Keeper.
Quora suggests thematic drinks like “Pitch Invader Punch” or “Third Umpire Shots” to up the entertainment.
Live Match Version – Drink Along with Real Cricket
You can sync this game with a live cricket match:
- Every boundary: Sip.
- Every wicket: Shot.
- Every DRS: Group drinks until the verdict is announced.
- Match goes to super over? Everyone finishes their drink.
It’s basically sports commentary meets game night, with the occasional blackout.
Wild and Wacky Howzat Drinking Game Variations
1. DRS (Drink Review System) Challenge
This twist adds a level of drama worthy of a third umpire cam.
- Any time a player is declared “out,” they can challenge the decision by initiating a DRS.
- They must flip a coin. Heads = decision overturned, no drinks. Tails = the decision stands, AND they drink double.
- Optional rule: For extra flair, have someone shout “Ultra Edge is showing a SPIKE!” if the person laughs while challenging. If they laugh, they drink regardless.
2. Commentator Mode
Designate one player as the “Commentator.” They must narrate every action in over-the-top cricket style.
- If the Commentator messes up, stutters, or laughs—they drink.
- Anyone else who mimics their voice and breaks their concentration earns immunity for one round.
- Bonus: Encourage accents. Bad British commentary? Drink. Unironically call someone “The Wall”? Double drink.
3. Sledging Round
Before every turn, the batter must sledge (trash-talk) another player using a cricket pun.
- If the sledged player laughs? They drink.
- If no one laughs? The sledger drinks.
- Bonus: If someone drops a legendary real-life sledge (e.g. “Why are you so fat?” – “Because every time I do your wife, she gives me a cookie”), they earn immunity.
4. “Rain Delay” Drinking Freeze
Randomly, someone shouts “RAIN DELAY!” and the game must pause.
- Everyone must freeze in place with drink in hand.
- Last person to freeze? They drink.
- Optional: Appoint a “Groundskeeper” to time rain delays. After 30 seconds, shout “Play resumed!” and everyone must chug for 5 seconds to “get their eye in.”
5. Bat Flip Power Round
Bring in a mini bat (or even a spoon) for a ceremonial bat flip every 3 rounds.
- Flip determines who becomes the “Captain.”
- The Captain can assign their drinks to another player for one full round.
- But if the Captain gets “out,” they have to chug a full drink for bringing dishonor to their team.
6. Cricket Superstitions Round
Everyone must adopt a weird superstition for a round—like a real cricketer.
Examples:
- Can’t touch their drink with their right hand.
- Must do a little hop before each sip.
- Must hum their national anthem quietly while drawing a card or rolling the dice.
Violation = automatic drink. Extra bonus: Combine this with Commentator Mode for a full-on broadcast circus.
7. The Streaker Rule
At any time during the game, someone can invoke “The Streaker.”
- They must run (clothed, please) around the room or table while waving a napkin like a shirt.
- Everyone must cheer and drink until they sit down again.
- If they knock anything over? They drink double and clean it up.
Only to be used once per game. Maybe twice if someone really nails the commentary.
8. The Match Fixer Twist
Secretly assign one player as “The Match Fixer.”
- Their job is to subtly get someone else drunk without getting caught.
- If anyone correctly guesses the fixer before the end of the game, the fixer must do a penalty shot.
- If no one catches them? They pick someone to do a “Punishment Over” (3 back-to-back drink challenges).
Adds suspicion, deception, and strategy to the mix—like IPL circa 2013.
Dice Version of Howzat Drinking Game
Materials and Setup
This version requires:
- One or two six-sided dice
- Drinks
- A quick reference chart of dice outcomes
It’s faster-paced and arguably more chaotic—great for crowds that have zero patience for rules.
Dice Roll Outcomes & Their Drinking Rules
Each roll represents an “over.” Here’s one example of rules based on a single die:
- 1: LBW – You’re out. Drink half your beer.
- 2: Dot ball – You’re safe. Skip a drink.
- 3: Single run – Give a drink.
- 4: Boundary! Everyone drinks.
- 5: No-ball – Roll again and double the consequence.
- 6: Sixer! Choose someone to drink 3 times.
Rolling two dice adds more combinations and makes it more fun for cricket nerds to add infielding rules, DRS, or tea breaks. (Yes, that can be a free round.)
Quickfire “Appeals” and Out Scenarios
If someone rolls a 1 or 5, anyone can yell “Howzat!” within three seconds. Last one to respond drinks. If two people yell it at once, they face off in a drink-off—best sip wins.
Howzat Around the World – Global Cricket Drinking Culture
Let’s be honest: cricket fans are some of the most dedicated, superstitious, and beverage-friendly sports lovers on Earth. From the dusty outfields of India to the sunny beer gardens of Australia, everyone has their own sacred way of watching a match—with a cold one in hand and a ridiculous drinking tradition passed down through generations (or invented last weekend).
If you think Howzat is wild, wait till you see how cricket and alcohol collide around the world.
Australia – Where Sledging Is a National Sport
No one takes cricket or drinking quite as seriously as Aussies. Down under, watching the Ashes is practically a religious holiday—except instead of communion wine, it’s slabs of VB or Tooheys.
Australian drinking game variations:
- Take a shot every time Shane Warne is mentioned in a non-Shane Warne match.
- “Sixer Sip Rule”: If a batsman hits a six into the stands, everyone raises their glass and chugs for 6 seconds. No exceptions.
- “Caught Behind”: Last person to yell “you beauty!” when a wicket falls has to finish their drink.
Also, bonus rule: if anyone calls the umpire a “muppet,” they must drink for unsportsmanlike conduct.
India – The Spice, the Superstition, the Shots
In India, cricket is a full-blown spectacle—and the drinking culture reflects that. While public drinking during matches isn’t common, house parties are a different beast.
Indian party-style drinking twists:
- Every Virat Kohli cover drive = one sip.
- If RCB loses (again), fans are required to drink their sorrows.
- Make masala shots: tiny tequila or rum shots with a salt, lime, and chat masala rim for a real desi kick.
Plus, Indian fans often have lucky seats, shirts, and even drinking hands. Violate your own superstition? Chug. Karma’s a harsh umpire.
United Kingdom – Tea, Gin, and Sarcastic Banter
The British treat cricket like a long picnic with rules. Pints of lager flow slowly, and everyone pretends to understand Duckworth-Lewis. It’s all very polite until you add drinking games.
British twists on Howzat:
- Tea Break Shot: At official Test match tea breaks, players toast with gin or a classy cocktail.
- “Monty’s Miss”: Any dropped catch results in a penalty drink for the person who suggested the fielder “had it.”
- Channel BBC-style commentary with dry humor: anyone who breaks character or laughs at a pun must drink.
They may not yell “Howzat!” with Aussie fury, but their quiet judgment stings more.
West Indies – Vibes, Rum, and Rhythm
No one parties through cricket quite like the West Indies. Their fans dance through boundaries, bring drums to the stadium, and turn matches into mini-festivals.
Caribbean-style rule additions:
- Boundary Beats: Every 4 or 6? Someone plays a song or beat and everyone dances while drinking.
- “Rum Rondo”: Pass a bottle of rum clockwise every time a wicket falls.
- Limbo for the Last Round: If it’s the final over, the most “out” player must limbo under a bat while finishing their drink. Style points encouraged.
The vibe is smooth, the rum is strong, and the joy is contagious.
South Africa – Braai, Beer, and Ball Skills
In South Africa, cricket and the classic braai (BBQ) go hand in hand. The game is slow, the food is great, and the drinks are always flowing.
South African rule suggestions:
- “Braai Bonus”: If you’re on grill duty, you get to assign drinks instead of taking them.
- “Protea Shot”: Toast with local spirits like Amarula when South Africa takes a key wicket.
- Every time someone references “that AB de Villiers innings,” everyone drinks in awe.
Bonus: mix in some Afrikaans slang for drink calls—last person to correctly repeat the phrase gets punished.
Make Your Own Global XI (Drinking Edition)
Want to really up the ante? Try assigning each player at your party a nationality and let them follow their country’s rules for the match. You’ll end up with a cultural collision of wild gestures, ridiculous penalties, and some surprisingly authentic cricket banter.
No matter where you’re from, the rule is simple: Play it like you’re in the World Cup final—and hydrate like you’re fielding in Chennai at 2 PM.