There’s nothing like the thrill of poker—unless, of course, you add a few drinks to the mix! Welcome to the world of poker drinking games, where strategy meets social fun and even losing a hand can be a good time. Whether you’re a card shark or just someone looking to spice up a gathering, poker drinking games bring a new level of excitement to the table.
In this guide, we’ll delve into some of the most popular poker drinking games, including Irish Poker, Omaha, Seven-Card Stud, and Texas Hold’em with a boozy twist. We’ll also cover variations, essential rules, and hosting tips. Grab your cards and drinks, and let’s deal you into the fun!
Table of Contents
What is a Poker Drinking Game?
A poker drinking game is exactly what it sounds like—a blend of traditional poker mechanics with rules that involve taking sips, shots, or chugs of alcohol. These games are designed to bring laughter and camaraderie to any party, replacing the seriousness of poker tournaments with lighthearted fun.
The rules can vary depending on the version, but the goal is always the same: enjoy the game and bond with friends over cards and drinks. Whether you’re bluffing your way to victory or accepting defeat with a drink in hand, these games are a hit for parties and casual get-togethers.
Irish Poker Drinking Game Rules
Setup and What You’ll Need
To get started, you’ll need:
- A standard deck of cards.
- A table or flat surface for dealing.
- Your favorite alcoholic beverages.
Arrange the players in a circle and shuffle the deck thoroughly. The dealer then places four cards face down in front of each player. Get ready to guess, drink, and laugh!
Gameplay Explained
Round 1: Red or Black
- Each player guesses if their first card is red or black.
- Guess right? You assign one drink to someone else.
- Guess wrong? You take a drink.
Round 2: Higher or Lower
- Players guess if their next card will be higher or lower than the first.
- Right guesses mean you assign two drinks, while wrong guesses mean two gulps for you.
Round 3: In-Between or Outside
- Players guess whether their third card’s value falls between or outside the first two cards.
- Correct guesses let you assign three drinks. Wrong? You drink three.
Round 4: Suit Guess
- Guess the suit of your final card (hearts, spades, clubs, diamonds).
- Nail it, and you assign four drinks. Miss it, and you’re chugging four.
Omaha Drinking Game Rules
How to Play Omaha Card Game
- Objective: Create the best five-card hand using exactly two cards from your hand (out of four) and three from the community cards.
- Setup:
- Each player is dealt four hole cards face down.
- Five community cards are dealt face up on the table in stages: the flop (three cards), the turn (one card), and the river (one card).
- Betting Rounds:
- Betting occurs in four stages: pre-flop, flop, turn, and river.
Setup and What You’ll Need
- A standard poker table setup with chips and four cards per player.
- Drinks for every participant.
Incorporate with Drinking Rules
- Pre-Flop Drinking: Players who fold during the pre-flop take a sip.
- Flop Fun: If a player’s four-hole cards don’t connect with the flop, they drink twice.
- Turn Trouble: Players with weak hands on the turn card take two sips.
- River Rules: If the river card results in a fold, the player takes three sips.
- Winning Twist: The winner of each hand assigns two drinks to anyone at the table.
Seven-Card Stud Drinking Game Rules
How to Play Seven-Card Stud Card Game
- Objective: Make the best five-card hand using seven cards dealt to each player.
- Setup:
- Each player antes into the pot (a small initial bet).
- Players are dealt two cards face down and one face up to start.
- Over four more rounds, players receive three additional face-up cards and one final face-down card.
- Betting Rounds:
- There are betting rounds after each card deal (third street, fourth street, fifth street, sixth street, and the river).
- The player with the best visible hand typically starts each betting round.
Setup and What You’ll Need
- A traditional Seven-Card Stud setup with a deck of cards and chips.
- Alcohol for every participant.
Drinking Rules Explained
- Ante Up, Drink Up: Players who don’t ante up must take a sip.
- Third Street Rules: After the first three cards are dealt, anyone with a low hand must drink.
- Fifth Street Surprise: Players with no face cards must take a shot.
- Showdown Shenanigans: The winner of the hand gets to assign three drinks. The loser drinks twice.
Texas Hold’em Drinking Game Rules
How to Play Texas Hold’em Card Game
- Objective: Make the best five-card hand using any combination of your two hole cards and the five community cards.
- Setup:
- Each player is dealt two hole cards face down.
- Five community cards are dealt in stages: the flop (three cards), the turn (one card), and the river (one card).
- Betting Rounds:
- Betting happens in four stages: pre-flop, flop, turn, and river.
- Players can fold, call, or raise during each betting round.
- Winning: A player wins the pot by having the best hand at the showdown or by making all other players fold.
Incorporate Drinking into Texas Card Game
Adding alcohol to Texas Hold’em is simple and fun. Use these rules to spice things up:
- Fold Penalty: Every time a player folds, they take a sip.
- Showdown Shots: The losing hand at a showdown takes a shot.
- Winning Streak: If you win two consecutive hands, you get to assign drinks to others.
Tips for Playing Texas Hold’em as a Drinking Game
- Use poker chips to represent drinks instead of money.
- Keep the blinds low to encourage longer play.
- Make a “House Rule” deck where every card drawn has a fun twist (e.g., 7 of hearts = take a shot).
Wild Variations of Drunk Poker
If you’re looking to take your poker drinking games to the next level, these out-of-the-box and hilariously wild variations will guarantee an unforgettable night of laughter and chaos. These twists on the classic poker drinking game will push your imagination and tolerance (in the best way possible).
1. Shot Poker Showdown
What You’ll Need:
- A set of shot glasses for each player (4-6).
- Alcohol of varying strengths (e.g., beer, wine, tequila).
How to Play:
- Each player starts with five shot glasses filled with alcohol ranging from mild (beer) to strong (hard liquor).
- Instead of poker chips, players wager their shots.
- Winning a hand allows you to give away a shot to another player. Losing forces you to drink one of your own shots.
- The last player standing with at least one shot remaining is declared the champion.
Pro Tip: Use colored shot glasses to make it visually exciting—green for beer, red for wine, black for hard liquor!
2. Drunken Bluff Poker
What You’ll Need:
- A standard poker setup.
- An “Honesty Jar.”
- Alcohol.
How to Play:
- Every player is allowed one big bluff per game. If they pull it off, they assign drinks to all the other players.
- If caught bluffing, they must pull a challenge card from the “Honesty Jar,” which contains dares like:
- “Chug your drink.”
- “Sing a song while doing a shot.”
- “Do a dramatic reading of your cards.”
- The jar adds a hilariously chaotic element to keep players on their toes.
3. Royal Flush Waterfall
What You’ll Need:
- A deck of cards.
- Drinks for all.
How to Play:
- When someone gets a royal flush, they call for a “waterfall.”
- Starting with the player to their left, everyone begins drinking. Each person can only stop drinking once the player before them stops.
- To make it wilder, designate a house rule for royal flushes, like wearing a silly hat until the next hand or making animal noises while drinking.
Warning: Royal Flushes are rare, but the chaos when they happen is worth it!
4. Dealer’s Dare Poker
What You’ll Need:
- A deck of cards.
- A list of dares.
How to Play:
- Before each hand, the dealer sets a “dare” for the loser of the round.
- Examples of dares:
- Take two shots.
- Wear a funny costume for the next two hands.
- Speak only in rhyme until the next round is over.
- Losers must complete the dare before the next hand begins.
5. Reverse Shot Poker
What You’ll Need:
- Poker chips.
- Alcohol.
How to Play:
- In this variation, drinking is tied to the chips you win.
- Every chip equals a drink that you have to take yourself. The richer you get, the more you drink!
- It levels the playing field because being too good at poker has its consequences.
6. Texas Sizzle Poker
What You’ll Need:
- A deck of cards.
- A bowl of spicy challenges (hot sauces, pepper drinks, etc.).
- Drinks.
How to Play:
- Any player folding pre-flop must draw a spicy challenge card. These cards might include:
- “Take a shot of spicy Bloody Mary mix.”
- “Eat a jalapeño slice and chase it with beer.”
- To add more drama, the player with the highest hand can assign a spicy challenge to someone else at the table!
7. Kings & Queens Rule
What You’ll Need:
- A standard poker setup.
- Drinks for all players.
How to Play:
- Every time a King or Queen appears in the community cards, everyone must bow to the “Royalty” and take a drink.
- If a player folds while a King or Queen is showing, they must take two drinks as a penalty for disrespecting the monarchy.
8. Poker Karaoke Challenge
What You’ll Need:
- A karaoke machine or playlist of sing-along hits.
How to Play:
- Players who lose a hand must perform a karaoke song while everyone else drinks and judges their performance.
- Bonus points if the performance is dramatic or hilariously bad.
Wild Twist: Let the winner pick the song!
9. Drunk Joker Wild
What You’ll Need:
- A deck with jokers included.
- Drinks.
How to Play:
- Jokers are wild and come with a drinking twist. Whenever a Joker is played:
- The player must take a shot.
- The player assigns a drink to someone else.
- The player must make up a new rule for the game (e.g., “No saying the word ‘fold’” or “Drink every time you laugh”).
- The rule stays in effect until the next Joker is played.
10. High Stakes Shot Poker
What You’ll Need:
- A deck of cards.
- Various types of alcohol ranked from mild to intense.
How to Play:
- Assign drinks based on hand rankings:
- High card = 1 sip.
- Pair = 1 shot of beer.
- Three of a kind = 1 shot of wine.
- Flush = 2 shots of vodka.
- Full house = tequila shot + chaser.
- Straight flush or royal flush = winner assigns 3 shots to any players.
- The stakes rise with each hand, leading to more fun (and more drinks) as the game progresses.
The Best Drinks for Poker Drinking Games
No poker drinking game is complete without the perfect selection of beverages. The right drinks can elevate the fun while ensuring everyone has something they enjoy. Here’s a breakdown of drink ideas tailored to every type of player and game style:
Lightweight Options for Casual Drinkers
- Beer: Classic and easy to sip, beer is perfect for longer poker games. Try light lagers or IPAs to keep the mood chill.
- Ciders: A sweet and refreshing alternative to beer that’s great for those who prefer fruity flavors.
- Hard Seltzers: Trendy, low-calorie, and easy to drink, making them ideal for players who want something light and fizzy.
Stronger Options for Daring Players
- Whiskey: Perfect for a Texas Hold’em game, whiskey adds a bold and smoky vibe to the table.
- Tequila: Ideal for fast-paced poker rounds like Shot Poker Showdown. Pair it with lime and salt for classic shots.
- Rum Cocktails: Mojitos or Cuba Libres bring tropical fun to the party.
Creative Themed Cocktails
- The Royal Flush: A mix of cranberry juice, peach schnapps, and vodka for a poker-themed delight.
- Bluff on the Rocks: Whiskey on ice with a splash of grenadine to keep things mysterious and strong.
- Full House Punch: A fruity punch bowl with rum, pineapple juice, and soda, perfect for sharing.
Poker Drinking Game Accessories and Essentials
Adding themed accessories and tools to your poker drinking games can turn an average night into an unforgettable experience. Here’s what you’ll need:
Custom Poker Chips
- Swap out traditional chips for ones with drinking penalties printed on them, such as:
- “Take 1 sip.”
- “Assign 3 drinks.”
- “Shot time!”
- You can find these online or create your own with sticker labels.
Unique Playing Cards
- Buy or design decks with quirky designs or built-in drinking instructions. Examples:
- Cards with funny dares like “Give a toast before your next drink.”
- Cards that require players to drink based on their suit or rank.
Fun Drinkware
- Themed Shot Glasses: Get poker-themed glasses shaped like chips or dice.
- Beer Holders: Keep the table organized with holders styled like poker chips.
- Championship Mug: Award the winner a special mug or glass they can use in the next game.
DIY Accessories
- Create a “Penalty Spinner” for drinking challenges.
- Make a scoreboard for keeping track of wins (and drinks) with fun markers.
Non-Alcoholic Versions of Poker Drinking Games
Poker drinking games don’t have to involve alcohol! Here are fun, non-alcoholic ways to enjoy the chaos:
Mocktail Challenges
- Replace alcohol with creative mocktails like virgin mojitos, Shirley Temples, or sparkling juice blends.
- Make losing hands extra fun by assigning wacky garnishes (e.g., umbrella hats, gummy bears).
Spicy Alternatives
- Instead of drinking, players must eat increasingly spicy snacks like jalapeño chips or hot wings.
- The loser of each round tries the next level of heat!
Funny Punishments
- Losing a hand means wearing a silly costume piece, like a feather boa or a cowboy hat.
- Winners assign penalties like singing a song, speaking in accents, or dancing for 10 seconds.
Points Instead of Drinks
- Keep a tally of “fun points” for each hand. Points can be redeemed for harmless dares, like posting a funny selfie or giving someone a back massage.
Hydration Games
- Turn the game into a hydration party with fun water or soda challenges.
- Great for daytime events or groups with a mix of drinkers and non-drinkers.
Poker drinking games are the ultimate combination of strategy, luck, and laughter. Whether you’re guessing suits in Irish Poker, folding reluctantly in Omaha, or calling bluffs in Seven-Card Stud, these games are guaranteed to liven up any gathering. Remember to play responsibly and focus on the fun—because in this game, everyone wins!
Now, it’s time to shuffle those cards, pour some drinks, and let the good times roll. Cheers to your next poker party!
FAQs About Poker Drinking Game
What are the best card games for drinking?
Aside from poker, games like King’s Cup, President, and Ride the Bus are popular choices.
Are there any poker drinking games without cards?
Yes, you can create poker-inspired games without traditional cards:
1. Dice Poker: Use dice to form “hands” (e.g., three of a kind, full house).
2. Chip Poker: Players bet with chips labeled with drinking penalties instead of playing cards.
3. Word Poker: Use words instead of cards (e.g., write “King,” “Ace,” etc. on slips of paper).
What’s a good way to incorporate music into poker drinking games?
Assign a song to each player. When their song plays, they take a drink.
Use a playlist where certain songs act as “wild cards” (e.g., whenever “Poker Face” by Lady Gaga plays, everyone takes a sip). Losers of a hand have to karaoke to a song chosen by the winner.
How long do poker drinking games usually last?
Games can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the complexity of the rules, the number of players, and how quickly players finish their drinks. To keep the energy up, consider setting a time limit or switching to another game after an hour or two.
What’s the best poker drinking game for a large group?
For large groups, Irish Poker is a great choice because it’s quick, easy, and doesn’t require deep strategy. Alternatively, Dealer’s Dare Poker works well, as it spreads out the fun and keeps everyone engaged. Also, High Card Drinking War can be played simultaneously in smaller sub-groups.
Can kids or teens play poker games without alcohol?
Yes! Non-alcoholic variations can be kid-friendly by using juice, soda, or fun penalties like doing a silly dance or answering trivia questions. Always ensure the focus is on fun and not competitiveness.