Drinking Game Without Anything: The Mona Lisa Reaction Challenge

Imagine a game where you must keep a straight face while everyone around you tries their hardest to make you laugh. That is the essence of the Mona Lisa Game, a simple yet incredibly fun party game that challenges players’ reactions, composure, and creativity.

Originating from various party and drinking game traditions, this drinking game gained popularity through TV variety shows and social media. Whether you’re at a house party, a team-building event, or just hanging out with friends, the Mona Lisa Game is guaranteed to bring laughter and unforgettable moments.

Can you channel the mysterious, unreadable smile of da Vinci’s masterpiece, or will you crack under pressure? Let’s find out how to play and explore different variations of the game.

What is the Mona Lisa Game?

The Mona Lisa Game is a reaction-based challenge that requires players to maintain a straight face while their friends try to break their composure. The core idea comes from the famous painting Mona Lisa, known for its subtle and enigmatic smile. Players take turns following a structured phrase, and when it is their turn to “become” the Mona Lisa, they must freeze their expression while others attempt to make them laugh.

This game has been featured in variety shows such as China’s Happy Camp (快乐大本营） and has since evolved into different versions, including drinking games, punishment rounds, and speed challenges. It is a perfect icebreaker and a guaranteed source of entertainment.

How to Play the Mona Lisa Game

Setup:

• Minimum of 4 players (the more, the better).
• Players sit in a circle or stand facing each other.
• Each player should have a drink ready.

How to Play:

1. Players take turns saying “Mona,” “Lisa,” “Game,” and “Smile” in sequence, pointing at a new player with each word.
2. The player who lands on “Smile” must immediately:
   • Strike a Mona Lisa-style smile and remain completely silent.
   • The two players sitting next to them must use their hands to form a picture frame around their face.
3. If the “Mona Lisa” laughs, speaks, or reacts, they must take a drink.
4. If any of the frame players mess up their timing or forget to make the picture frame, they must also take a drink.
5. The game continues with a new round, starting with a different player.

Extra Drinking Rules for More Fun:

• Speed Mode: Players must respond quickly. Any hesitation results in an instant drink penalty.
• Reverse Rule: If someone trying to make the “Mona Lisa” laugh laughs first, they take the penalty drink instead.
• Wildcard Round: Introduce challenges like speaking in accents, using funny voices, or adding dares for the loser.

This drinking game is perfect for parties, testing players’ reaction speed and self-control while guaranteeing laughter!

Best Strategies to Win the Mona Lisa Drinking Game

The key to dominating the Mona Lisa Drinking Game is self-control and distraction tactics. Here are some expert strategies to help you stay in the game longer and make others lose:

1. Master the Art of the Mona Lisa Smile

• Practice keeping a relaxed but unreadable expression.
• Focus on deep breathing to stay calm and composed.
• Imagine something boring to neutralize any urge to laugh.

2. Use Reverse Psychology

• Intentionally act nervous—it might trick others into letting their guard down.
• If you look like you’re about to crack, opponents might ease up their attack.

3. Find the Weakest Link

• Identify the players who struggle the most to stay serious.
• Direct the most energy toward making them laugh instead.

4. Distract Without Breaking the Rules

• If making faces isn’t enough, try telling an absurd story in a deadpan tone.
• Use sudden movements or exaggerated gestures to surprise your target.
• Sound effects (weird voices, random noises) work wonders.

5. Psychological Warfare

• Maintain intense eye contact—sometimes silence is more powerful than comedy.
• Whisper nonsense phrases like “Did you hear that?” to make them break.
• Fake a mistake to make others drop their guard.

How to Turn the Mona Lisa Game Into an Ultimate Party Challenge

If you want to level up your party, try adding these game modifiers:

1. Combo Round – Mix With Other Drinking Games

• After each Mona Lisa round, play a quick game of “Never Have I Ever”.
• Combine it with King’s Cup—whoever laughs draws a card with a rule.

2. Distraction Challenge – Background Chaos

• Play loud, dramatic music while people try to keep a straight face.
• Assign one player as the “announcer” to narrate the game dramatically.
• Add a spinning wheel with random distractions (e.g., someone must dance in the background).

3. Team Battle Mode

• Split into teams of two or three—each round, one team is the Mona Lisa, and the others try to break them.
• If the Mona Lisa team holds their pose for 30 seconds, the attackers take a drink instead.

4. Blindfolded Challenge

• The “Mona Lisa” wears a blindfold, making them rely on sound alone to resist laughter.

5. Sudden Death Round

• No warm-up, no talking—everyone must freeze immediately when the round starts.
• First person to react or laugh takes an extra penalty drink.

Similar Reaction Drinking Games Like Mona Lisa

If you love the Mona Lisa Drinking Game, you’ll enjoy these other fast-paced, reaction-based party games that test your ability to stay focused under pressure. Whether it’s swaying like a Banana Tree, saluting like a Pirate Captain, or gazing into a Magic Mirror, these games challenge players to follow simple yet unpredictable sequences—while trying not to laugh or mess up. Add drinks to the mix, and the stakes get even higher!

1. Banana Tree Game

Channel your inner jungle spirit in this hilarious game where players transform into swaying trees and playful monkeys. Can you keep your balance, or will you break character and take a drink?

Banana Tree Reaction Game Rules:

1. Players take turns saying “Ba,” “Na,” “Na,” “Tree” in sequence, pointing at a new player with each word.
2. The player who lands on “Tree” must immediately:
   • Stand up and sway like a tree in the wind, moving their arms like branches.
   • The two players sitting next to them must act like monkeys, scratching their heads and making monkey sounds.
3. If the “Tree” stops swaying, laughs, or reacts incorrectly, they must take a drink.
4. If any of the monkeys forget to act or react too slowly, they must also take a drink.
5. The game continues with a new round, starting with a different player.

2. Captain Jack Game

Set sail for pirate madness as you salute your captain and row the ship! Quick reactions are key, or you’ll end up drinking like a true sailor.

Captain Jack Reaction Game Rules:

1. Players take turns saying “Jack,” “Captain,” “Pirate,” and “Ship” in sequence, pointing at a new player with each word.
2. The player who lands on “Ship” must immediately:
   • Stand up and salute like a loyal pirate crew member.
   • The two players sitting next to them must act like rowers, pretending to paddle a boat with their hands.
3. If the “Ship” hesitates, forgets to salute, or reacts incorrectly, they must take a drink.
4. If any of the rowers forget their action or are too slow, they must also take a drink.
5. The game continues with a new round, starting with a different player.

3. Snow White Princess Game

Step into a fairy tale of fun as players become royalty and dwarfs. Gaze into the magic mirror without breaking character, or risk taking a royal sip of your drink!

Snow White Princess Reaction Game Rules:

1. Players take turns saying “Snow,” “White,” “Princess,” and “Mirror” in sequence, pointing at a new player with each word.
2. The player who lands on “Mirror” must immediately:
   • Hold an imaginary hand mirror and gaze into it like a vain queen.
   • The two players sitting next to them must pretend to be dwarfs, stroking their imaginary beards and nodding wisely.
3. If the “Mirror” laughs, hesitates, or reacts incorrectly, they must take a drink.
4. If any of the dwarfs forget their action or react too slowly, they must also take a drink.
5. The game continues with a new round, starting with a different player.

4. Samurai Game

Honor, precision, and swift movements—just like a true samurai! Can you master the art of swordplay and respect, or will your hesitation cost you a drink?

Samurai Reaction Game Rules:

1. Players take turns saying “Samurai,” “Sword,” “Honor,” and “Strike” in sequence, pointing at a new player with each word.
2. The player who lands on “Strike” must immediately:
   • Stand up and perform a dramatic sword slash in the air like a fierce samurai.
3. The two players sitting next to them must react by:
   • One pretending to block with an invisible katana.
   • The other bowing deeply in respect for the warrior’s skill.
4. If the “Strike” player hesitates, does the wrong action, or messes up, they must take a drink.
5. If either of the adjacent players forgets their action or reacts too slowly, they must also take a drink.
6. The game continues with a new round, starting with a different player.

5. Silent Assassin Game

Stealth is key in this game of deadly precision! One wrong move, and you might find yourself dodging an invisible blade—or worse, taking a drink instead!

Silent Assassin Reaction Game Rules:

1. Players take turns saying “Silent,” “Shadow,” “Blade,” and “Kill” in sequence, pointing at a new player with each word.
2. The player who lands on “Kill” must immediately:
   • Cover their mouth with a hand and act like they are throwing a deadly dagger at someone.
3. The two players sitting next to them must react by:
   • One dodging dramatically like they just avoided the attack.
   • The other clutching their chest and pretending to fall as if struck.
4. If the “Kill” player hesitates, does the wrong action, or reacts incorrectly, they must take a drink.
5. If either of the adjacent players forgets their role or reacts too slowly, they must also take a drink.
6. The game continues with a new round, starting with a different player.

Hilarious Penalty Ideas for Reaction Drinking Game Losers

Why stick to just drinking when you can make the punishments even funnier? Here are some creative forfeit ideas to spice up the game:

1. Costume Challenge

• The loser must wear a ridiculous accessory (e.g., a clown nose, silly hat) for the next round.
• If available, grab a prop—a blanket as a cape, a funny wig, or sunglasses indoors.

2. Embarrassing Performance

• Sing a random song in opera style.
• Recreate a dramatic movie scene with over-the-top acting.
• Speak in a pirate accent for the next five minutes.

3. Social Media Dare

• Post a ridiculous status like “I just lost a staring contest with the Mona Lisa.”
• Send a random emoji to the last person they texted.
• Take a selfie in their penalty outfit and post it to their story.

4. Physical Challenges

• Hold a plank for 30 seconds while other players try to distract them.
• Do a slow-motion run across the room like in an action movie.
• Dance without music for 20 seconds.

5. The Ultimate Freeze

• The loser must remain completely still like a statue for an entire round.
• If they break character, they take another drink.

Why Reaction Drinking Games Are Perfect for Parties

The Mona Lisa Game and similar reaction drinking games work well for any social gathering because:

• It’s easy to learn – No complicated setup, just a group of people ready to have fun.
• It works as an icebreaker – Helps strangers loosen up and interact.
• It guarantees laughter – Watching someone struggle to keep a straight face is always hilarious.
• It’s adaptable – Play it as a family-friendly game or turn it into a drinking game for adults.
• No preparation needed – No props, no cards, no setup—just jump right in and start playing!

The Reaction Drinking Games like Mona Lisa is just the beginning of a night full of hilarious fails, unpredictable challenges, and unforgettable party moments. Whether you’re trying to hold the perfect Mona Lisa smile, swaying like a Banana Tree, or commanding a Pirate Crew, these reaction-based drinking games guarantee endless fun.