How to Play the Purple Drinking Game – AKA Red, Black, Rainbow

Purple Drinking GamePurple Drinking Game

Are you ready to elevate your party with a game that’s as colorful as it is fun? Meet the Purple drinking game, a crowd favorite that brings energy, excitement, and just the right amount of chaos to any gathering. Also known by its alternative names—Red, Black, Purple, or Rainbow—this game is perfect for anyone looking to add a splash of color to their night. Let’s dive into the rules, variations, and some tips to keep the fun going all night long!

What is the Purple Drinking Game?

The Purple drinking game is like the love child of strategy, chance, and a wild imagination—all wrapped up in a colorful party package. Sure, it’s got some DNA from classics like Kings Cup and Ring of Fire, but Purple isn’t just any old card game. It’s got its own flair, with a vibrant, color-themed twist that keeps everyone on their toes.

Here’s the deal: players take turns trying to guess the color of the next card—Red, Black, Purple, or even Rainbow. Each color comes with its own quirky rules and consequences, but it’s the flexibility of the game that really makes it shine. You’re not stuck with just one way to play; you can tweak the rules, add your own spins, and basically make the game as wild or as tame as you like. 

Purple Drinking Game Rules and How to Play

Basic Rules of Purple (or Red, Black, Purple, Rainbow)

To get started, you’ll need a deck of cards and your favorite drinks. Here’s a simple breakdown of the rules:

  1. Setup: Everyone sits in a circle around a table. One person is designated as the dealer, responsible for flipping the cards.
  2. Gameplay:
    • Calling the Color: Before each card is flipped, the player whose turn it is calls out either Red, Black, Purple, or Rainbow.
    • Red: If the player calls Red and the next card flipped is red (hearts or diamonds), the player can give away 1 drink to anyone in the circle. If the card is not red, the player must drink 1.
    • Black: If the player calls Black and the next card flipped is black (clubs or spades), the player can give away 1 drink. If not, the player must drink 1.
    • Purple: If the player calls Purple, the next two cards must include one black and one red card, in any order. If successful, the player gives away 2 drinks; if not, the player drinks 2.
    • Rainbow: If the player calls Rainbow, the next four cards must include two black and two red cards, in any order. If successful, the player gives away 4 drinks; if not, the player drinks 4.
  3. Winning: The game continues until the deck is exhausted or the group decides to stop. There’s no strict winner, but the aim is to stay in the game and enjoy the fun with as few penalties as possible.

More Similar Card Games to Keep the Party Buzzing

If you’re loving the chaotic fun of the Purple drinking game, then buckle up, because we’ve got some equally wild card games that’ll keep the drinks—and the laughs—flowing.

  1. Fuck the Dealer,” a game that’s basically a battle of wits where your reward for guessing wrong is, well, drinking more. It’s like a test of friendship with alcohol as the judge. 
  2. Irish Poker,” where the stakes are high, the rules are loose, and your chances of staying sober are about as slim as finding a unicorn in your backyard.
  3. And if that’s not enough, try the “Pyramid Drinking Game,” where cards are stacked like your chances of staying coherent. It’s a fast-paced, strategy-light game that turns every flip of the card into a reason to drink.

These games are perfect for when you want to keep the party going and the drinks never-ending!

Elemental Colors Drinking Game
Elemental Colors Drinking Game

Purple Drinking Game Variations for Adults

For those looking to spice up their party with some outrageous and adult-themed twists, here are some wild, creative variations of the Purple drinking game.

1. “Elemental Colors”

In this creative twist, each color call (Red, Black, Purple, Rainbow) is associated with an element (Fire, Water, Earth, Air), adding thematic layers to the game.

  • Red (Fire): If the next card is red, the player assigns drinks with a fiery twist—perhaps choosing someone to chug or perform a fiery dare like eating something spicy.
  • Black (Earth): Black cards are grounded in their effects. The player who draws it must perform a grounding task like touching the floor or squatting until the next card is drawn.
  • Purple (Water): The next two cards must match the element’s fluidity—if successful, the player gets to “splash” drinks around (assign multiple drinks to different players).
  • Rainbow (Air): With Rainbow, two red and two black cards must appear among the next four draws. If successful, the player can “float” above the rules for the next round, not taking any penalties.

2. “Truth or Dare” Variation

Turn up the heat with a classic Truth or Dare twist:

  • Red Card: If you call Red and it’s red, you can choose to assign a truth or dare to another player. If it’s not red, you must take on the challenge yourself.
  • Black Card: The player must answer a spicy truth question or complete a daring task. If they refuse, they take a double shot.
  • Purple Card: If one card is red and the other is black, assign a truth or dare to each color’s representative. If unsuccessful, you face the consequences for both.
  • Rainbow Card: Two of the next four cards must be red, and two must be black. If called correctly, everyone else at the table has to take on a truth or dare. If not, the caller takes on four truths or dares (or shots) in a row.

3. “Strip or Sip”

Not for the faint-hearted, this variation adds a risqué element to the game:

  • Red Card: If you call Red and it’s red, you give away a piece of clothing or make another player remove an item. If it’s black, you take a drink.
  • Black Card: The same rule applies in reverse—give away clothing or sip.
  • Purple Card: The stakes are higher here. If one card is red and the other black, you get to make two players strip down or take a shot.
  • Rainbow Card: This is the ultimate challenge—two red and two black among the next four cards means you can enforce a group strip, but fail, and you’re the one in your birthday suit (or downing four drinks).

4. “Kinky Kings and Queens”

This variation adds a sexy, role-playing element to the mix:

  • Red Card: Call Red and land it, and you become the “King” or “Queen” for the round, able to command others to do your bidding. If you fail, you become their servant for the next round, fetching drinks or doing whatever they ask.
  • Black Card: As the King or Queen, choose someone to be your “Knight,” enforcing your rules. Fail, and you become their “Peasant,” following their orders for one round.
  • Purple Card: Successfully call Purple, and you get to create a new, sexy rule for the entire game. Fail, and you must perform a “royal duty,” such as giving someone a lap dance or taking a body shot.
  • Rainbow Card: If you succeed in this call, you reign supreme, and the entire group must play by your rules for the next round. If you fail, the group gets to pick a wild punishment for you, like downing a mystery drink or completing an outrageous dare.

5. “The Shot Roulette”

This variation introduces a dangerous game of chance with shots:

  • Red Card: If you call Red and hit it, you can choose to take a shot or give it to someone else. Miss, and you drink a double.
  • Black Card: The same rules apply, but with a twist—each shot comes with a secret ingredient (spicy, sour, or sweet). If you miss, you don’t get to know what’s in your drink until it’s too late.
  • Purple Card: Get one red and one black, and you get to mix a “Mystery Shot” for another player using any available ingredients. Fail, and you’re the one drinking it.
  • Rainbow Card: If two red and two black cards appear, you can enforce a round of Shot Roulette, where every player must take a random shot. Miss the call, and you’re the one downing all four shots.

6. “Daredevil’s Gauntlet”

For those who crave adrenaline, this variation adds extreme dares to the mix:

  • Red Card: If you call Red and land it, you can challenge another player to an extreme dare (think licking something gross, jumping into a pool fully clothed, or making a prank call). Miss, and you face the dare yourself.
  • Black Card: Call Black, and if successful, you can enforce a group dare (everyone has to do something outrageous together, like streaking around the house). Fail, and you must complete the dare solo.
  • Purple Card: Land this combination, and you get to create an “Ultimate Dare” for the group. Fail, and you must take on an even crazier dare of their choosing, like taking a shot of hot sauce or running a lap around the block in your underwear.
  • Rainbow Card: If you nail this call, everyone else must complete a series of escalating dares, each more intense than the last. If you fail, you’re the one facing the gauntlet, with the group choosing your fate.
Color Drinking Game Daredevil’s Gauntlet
Color Drinking Game Daredevil’s Gauntlet

Enjoy an Online Color-themed Drinking Game

Get ready for a more fun online color drinking game – Wizard Potion Party, where you’ll mix colorful drinks like a wizard brewing potions and put your sobriety level to the test! As you blend different hues into wild concoctions, each sip becomes a challenge to see who can stay sharp as the drinks get more intense. It’s a vibrant and hilarious way to spice up your night, blending creativity with a dash of chaos!

Dive into a Rainbow of Fun with Color Drinking Game

The Purple drinking game, with all its colorful variations, is a surefire way to keep the party lively. Whether you’re calling it Red, Black, Purple, or Rainbow, the key is to keep the energy up and enjoy the randomness that the game brings. So, next time you’re planning a party, remember this guide and get ready to dive into a world of colorful fun and unforgettable memories!

By Viola

My friends say I can turn any gathering into a legendary party with best drinking game ideas, whether it's a chill Friday night or a big holiday bash!