How to Play the Mexicali Drinking Game: Dice, Bluff, Drink

Looking for a fun way to shake up your next party? Get ready to roll the dice and sip your way through the Mexicali drinking game! Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or a newcomer to party shenanigans, Mexicali is the perfect blend of luck, skill, and plenty of drinks. All you need is a couple of dice, a group of willing friends, and your favorite beverages. 

What’s the Mexicali Drinking Game?

The Mexicali Drinking Game is the ultimate party twist on the classic Mexico dice game—only this time, instead of betting cash, you’re betting on your ability to bluff and dodge drinks! Here’s how it works: Players roll two dice and announce their roll, but the fun part is you don’t have to tell the truth! Bluff your way through, and if no one calls you out, you’re safe. But get caught lying? You drink! If you catch someone bluffing, they drink instead.

The best part? A roll of “21” (2 and 1) is unbeatable—just like in the original Mexico game, where it’s called “Mexico.” Doubles also score higher than regular rolls, so there’s plenty of ways to outsmart your friends. While the old-school Mexico game is all about gambling and elimination, Mexicali brings the focus to socializing, bluffing, and—of course—drinking! It’s the perfect game to spice up your next party with laughs, drinks, and a bit of sneaky strategy.

How to Play The Mexicali Drinking Game?

Game Setup:

• Players: You need at least 3 players, but more players make the game more fun.
• Supplies:
  • 2 six-sided dice.
  • A cup (for shaking the dice).
  • Drinks for each player.
• Sitting Arrangement: Have all players sit in a circle around a table, each with their own drink.

Basic Rules of Mexicali

1. Start the Game:
   • The first player shakes the dice in the cup, slams it on the table, and peeks at the result without showing anyone else.
   • They announce their roll to the group. Here’s where bluffing comes in: they can either tell the truth or lie about their roll.
2. Next Player’s Turn:
   • The next player rolls the dice and attempts to beat the previous roll.
   • If they believe they can’t, they can bluff and lie about their roll.
3. Bluffing:
   • The previous player (whose roll you’re trying to beat) can call out your bluff if they think you’re lying.
     • If you’re caught bluffing, you drink.
     • If your roll was truthful and you were wrongly called, the person who called your bluff must drink instead.
4. Passing the Dice:
   • If no one calls the bluff, the dice are passed to the next player and the game continues.

Mexicali Dice Roll Values:

• Mexicali (21): Beats all other rolls.
• Reverse (31): This reverses the direction of play.
• Social (32): Everyone at the table drinks.
• Doubles:
  • 1-1 = 100
  • 2-2 = 200
  • 3-3 = 300
  • 4-4 = 400
  • 5-5 = 500
  • 6-6 = 600
• Non-doubles: 
  • 6-5 = 65
  • 6-4 = 64
  • 6-3 = 63
  • 6-2 = 62
  • 6-1 = 61
  • 5-4 = 54
  • 5-3 = 53
  • 5-2 = 52
  • 5-1 = 51
  • 4-3 = 43
  • 4-2 = 42
  • 4-1 = 41

Fun Variations to Spice Up Mexicali

Feeling adventurous? You can easily change up the Mexicali drinking game rules to keep things fresh. Here are some fun variations:

1. Mexicali with Cards

Add a wicked twist to your party with this intense version of Mexicali that uses only cards.  Here’s how it works:

• Card Setup: Deal all cards to players, but no one looks at them.
• Flipping Cards: Players take turns flipping their top card.
  • If two cards match in suit or value, the next player calls it out and starts counting.
  • Players with matching cards drink until the count matches their card’s value (e.g., Player with a 3 card drinks 3 seconds). The caller controls the counting speed, making it as fast or slow as they want.
• Special Cards:
  • Aces count as 14, so the player drinks until the count reaches 14.
• Combining Aces: If another Ace appears, the count doubles (e.g., two Aces = 28), and players drink accordingly.

2. Speed Mexicali

For a high-energy version of Mexicali, introduce a speed element. Here’s how it works:

• Players must roll and announce their result within 10 seconds. If they take too long, they must drink automatically.
• Bluffing still plays a key role, but speed makes it harder to think on your feet!

This fast-paced variation is perfect for parties where everyone’s looking for quick, chaotic fun.

3. Shot Roulette Mexicali

In this variation, players can up the stakes by incorporating shots into the gameplay:

• Instead of rolling to avoid drinks, certain dice rolls (like “32” for social) mean players must take a shot instead of just a sip.
• If a player bluffs and gets caught, they must take two shots as a penalty.

This version adds a more intense drinking element, so be sure to play responsibly!

4. Double Mexicali Penalty

Make the game riskier by introducing the Double Mexicali Rule. Here’s how it works:

• If someone rolls or bluffs a Mexicali (“21”), and their bluff is successfully called, they have to chug two full drinks instead of just one.
• If another player follows with a second Mexicali, the penalty doubles again!

This variation makes bluffing riskier, but if players get away with it, they’ll feel like a bluffing master.

5. Reverse Roles

This version plays off the “reverse” roll (31), but with a twist:

• Whenever someone rolls a 31 (“reverse”), not only does play change direction, but the person calling the bluff becomes the roller.
• This change forces players to quickly switch from being on the defense to rolling under pressure, making the game more unpredictable.

6. Themed Mexicali

For holiday parties or themed events, spice up Mexicali by introducing custom rules based on the theme. Some ideas include:

• Halloween Mexicali: Special rolls could result in Halloween-themed penalties, like making players wear a costume piece or do a spooky dare.
• Christmas Mexicali: Rolls like “32” could mean the player has to sing a Christmas carol while everyone drinks.
• Beach Party Mexicali: Replace the cup with a beach bucket, and rolls like “21” could result in a fun pool challenge or drink penalty.

7. Group Mexicali

For large parties, you can split players into teams. Each team takes turns rolling, but the entire team drinks if they lose a round or fail to bluff successfully. Here’s how to play:

• Divide the group into two teams.
• Each round, one player from each team rolls the dice, but the entire team takes the drinking penalty if a bluff is called.

This variation builds camaraderie (and maybe a little friendly rivalry) as teams work together to strategize and bluff their way through.

8. No Bluffing Mexicali

For a more straightforward version of Mexicali, ban all bluffing:

• Players must announce their actual rolls truthfully.
• Instead of bluffing, introduce extra penalties for low rolls (e.g., any roll under “30” requires two drinks).

This version is great for beginners or when you want a less complicated, but still fun, version of the game.

Mexicali vs. Kinito: Similarities and Differences

Both Mexicali and Kinito are dice-based drinking games where players bluff about their rolls, like Liar’s Dice. If someone catches the bluff, the bluffer drinks, but if they were truthful, the caller drinks instead. 

The main difference is in the scoring and penalties. 

• Mexicali doesn’t have a scoring system and focuses on special rolls like “21” which beats all, and “32” (Social), where everyone drinks. Penalties come from losing rolls or being caught bluffing. 
• Kinito’s scoring targets for 21 points with points earned on each roll. The special “21” roll triggers a unique sequence where a chosen player has to roll their Kinito within 3 changes or take penalty drinks.

Tips and Tricks for Winning at Mexicali

Let’s be real, there isn’t much strategy involved in Mexicali, but there are still ways to make sure you’re not the one constantly sipping your drink. Here are a few tips:

• Stay focused: As the drinks start flowing, it can be easy to lose track of whose turn it is or what the dice mean. Keep an eye on the game to avoid unnecessary penalties!
• Spread the love: If you roll doubles, don’t hesitate to spread the drinking love to someone else. Keeping the drinks evenly distributed helps keep the game competitive.
• Know your limits: As fun as Mexicali is, it’s important to pace yourself and drink responsibly. The game’s meant to be a good time, not a race to the bottom of the bottle!

Mexicali in all its dice-rolling, drink-passing glory! Whether you’re looking to add some excitement to your next gathering or simply want to try a new party game, Mexicali is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Just remember to pace yourself and, most importantly, have fun!