Looking to spice up your next party? The Suits Drinking Game might just be the ultimate choice for a night of fun and laughter! This simple card game revolves around different suits, and the rules are easy to follow. Whether you’re with a small group or a lively crowd, this game offers endless entertainment and the perfect excuse to bond (or drink) with your friends.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the ins and outs of Suits, share some popular variations, and throw in a few other drinking card games that are just as fun.
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What is the Suits Drinking Game?
The Suits Drinking Game is a fast-paced, card-based party game where each suit of a deck of cards is linked to a specific drinking rule. The game is simple enough: flip over a card, and whatever suit appears determines who drinks and how much. It’s great because it doesn’t require much setup and can be played with as few as two people or as many as you can fit in your living room.
What makes this game so fun is its unpredictability—one moment you’re cheering, and the next, you’re the one taking multiple sips of your drink. The name of the game is endurance, and with each suit having a different challenge, you’ll need to stay sharp (or at least as sharp as the drinks allow!).
Fun Fact: Though it’s hard to pinpoint exactly where the Suits Drinking Game originated, it’s been a staple at college parties and casual hangouts for years—making it one of the most beloved drinking card games out there.
Suits Drinking Game Rules: Step-by-Step Guide
Suits Card Game Setup
To play the Suits Drinking Game, all you need is:
- One person is designated as the dealer.
- Players sit in a circle, and the dealer begins by shuffling a standard deck of 52 cards.
- Drinks of choice are required—preferably something easy to sip!
How to Play Suits Drinking Game
- Dealer Chooses a Suit: The game begins with the dealer naming a suit (e.g., Hearts, Spades, etc.).
- Dealing the Cards: The dealer deals cards face up, starting with the person on their left, going clockwise around the circle.
- First Suit Match Drinks: The first player who gets a card matching the chosen suit has to drink based on the drink penalties for each suit (shown below).
- Calling the Next Suit: Before putting down their drink, the person who drank must call out a new suit. This keeps the game moving. Forgets to call a suit and needs to take a penalty drink.
- Next Round Begins: After the new suit is called, the dealer begins dealing again, starting with the player to the left of the person who just drank.
Drink Penalties by Suit
Each card’s suit dictates how the game flows. Here’s a breakdown of drink penalties:
- Hearts: The player who drew the card drinks.
- Clubs: Everyone drinks.
- Diamonds: The player to the left drinks.
- Spades: The player to the right drinks.
- Face Cards: If you draw a face card (King, Queen, or Jack), drink double the usual amount.
- Aces: Aces are special cards that can exempt the player from drinking for one round, or
Suits Game Ending and Winning
There’s no official “winner” in the Suits Drinking Game. The game typically ends when the deck runs out or when everyone’s had their fill (literally). However, if you want to declare a champion, you can track who drank the least throughout the game—though that person might just owe the next round of drinks!
Variations of the Suits Drinking Game
2-Player Version
If you only have two people but still want to play, don’t worry—Suits can easily be adapted for pairs. Simply adjust the rules so that Hearts and Diamonds mean the other person drinks, while Clubs and Spades trigger both players to drink together.
Group Play Variations
In larger groups, feel free to mix things up! You can add more rules, such as:
- Jokers: If a Joker is included in the deck and drawn, the player who drew it gets to assign three drinks to anyone in the group. These can be split between players or all assigned to one unlucky friend.
- Red and Black Suits: To simplify the game for larger groups, split the deck into red and black suits. Instead of dealing with individual suits, players drink based on the color:
- Red suits (Hearts, Diamonds): The player who draws the card drinks.
- Black suits (Clubs, Spades): Everyone drinks the number on the card.
Advanced Rules for Hardcore Players
If you’re looking for a challenge, try this advanced twist: Every time someone draws a face card, they not only drink double but also have to complete a dare chosen by the group:
- Reverse Chug Challenge: The player must drink their drink while walking backward until they finish. If they trip, they drink again!
- Spelling Bee Twist: The player has to spell a word the group chooses, out loud, while spinning in circles. For every letter they miss, they take a drink!
- Mystery Shot: The group mixes random liquids (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) into a shot, and the player must drink it without knowing what’s in it. Bonus points if it’s something wild like hot sauce!
Top 6 Best Drinking Card Games to Try
If you love Suits, here are five other drinking card games to shake up your party:
1. Kings
Also known as King’s Cup, this classic game involves players drawing cards from a deck, each card having a specific rule. For example, drawing a “King” means pouring some of your drink into a central cup. The person who draws the last King drinks the cup!
2. Ride the Bus
In Ride the Bus, players try to guess whether the next card will be higher or lower than the current card. Guess wrong, and you drink! Simple but always a crowd-pleaser.
3. Pyramid
To play Pyramid, stack cards in a pyramid shape, and players take turns flipping them over. If the card matches one of your cards, you get to assign drinks to other players.
4. Circle of Death
Circle of Death is similar to Kings but with some extra creative rules. Each card has a unique action, from starting a waterfall (where everyone drinks in sequence) to making someone a “thumb master.”
5. Presidents and Assholes
Presidents and Assholes is a fast-paced card game where players aim to rise in rank from “Asshole” to “President.” The President makes the rules, while the Asshole serves drinks. It’s a hilarious power struggle that keeps the party laughing as ranks shift with each round!
6. Fuck of Dealer
I have to say, Fuck the Dealer is a brutal guessing game. The dealer selects a card, and players try to guess its value. If they’re wrong, the dealer reveals whether the card is higher or lower, and the guessing continues. After three incorrect guesses, the dealer passes the deck to the next player. If a player guesses correctly, the dealer has to drink. The longer the game goes, the tougher it gets for the dealer!
Tips to Make the Suits Drinking Game More Fun
- Incorporate Music: Turn it into a Power Hour! Play one-minute clips of songs, and every time the song changes, everyone takes a drink. Keep the energy high with fast-paced music, and see who can keep up with the rhythm!
- Wearing Suits: Encourage players to dress up in actual suits! Whether it’s a sharp tuxedo or a fun, colorful blazer, adding this element brings an extra level of class (and comedy) to the game.
- D&D Theme: Add a fantasy twist by turning the Suits card game into a D&D-inspired adventure! Assign each suit a class—Hearts are Healers, Diamonds are Rogues, Spades are Warriors, and Clubs are Wizards. Each class has special powers: Healers can skip a drink, Rogues can make someone else drink for them, Warriors have to drink double, and Wizards can change the suit once per round. Bring in props or costumes for full immersion into your magical drinking quest!
The Suits Drinking Game is the perfect way to add some excitement to your next get-together. Whether you’re a fan of fast-paced card games or just looking for a way to loosen up the crowd, this game hits the sweet spot. So, shuffle that deck, raise your glass, and let the fun begin.