Who says you need a crowd to turn game night into a party? With just a deck of cards, some creativity, and a little liquid courage, these two-player drinking card games will transform your evening into a hilarious showdown of skill, strategy, and a fair bit of luck. Whether you’re hanging out with your BFF or having a cozy night in with your partner, these games guarantee fun (and possibly some tipsy storytelling).
Let’s dive into the top 10 two person drinking games that you can play tonight. And you can get a bonus round of King’s Cup for 2 Players. Don’t worry—we’ll keep the rules simple, the laughs rolling, and the drinks flowing.
Table of Contents
Top 10 Easy Drinking Games for Two Players
1. Higher or Lower
The ultimate guessing game where your fate lies in the next card. This one’s as simple as it gets like Death Box card game, but the stakes (and the drinks) can build quickly.
How to play:
- Player 1 flips over a card from the deck and guesses if the next card will be higher or lower than the current one.
- If Player 1 guesses correctly, the game continues with the next card.
- If Player 1 guesses wrong, they take a drink, and it’s Player 2’s turn.
Twist: After three correct guesses in a row, switch things up! Whoever guesses incorrectly has to finish their drink or take a penalty shot.
2. War…With a Twist
The childhood classic just grew up—and got a lot more fun. In this version of War, every lost battle means taking a sip, and ties lead to intense showdowns where you could be chugging to avoid defeat.
How to Play:
- Deal the deck evenly between the two players. Each round, both players flip their top card at the same time.
- The player with the higher card wins the round, and the loser drinks.
- If there’s a tie (both players flip the same card), it’s War! Each player lays down three cards face down, then flips the fourth card. The player with the higher card wins, and the loser takes 3 drinks (one for each face-down card).
Twist: If you lose a War, add an extra penalty: you can only drink using your “off” hand for the next 3 rounds. Awkward? Absolutely. Hilarious? Oh yes.
3. Drunk Poker
Poker face? More like “poker drunk!” If you love poker, this game adds a fun drinking element that will keep you guessing whether your opponent’s terrible hand is just bad luck or the booze talking.
How to Play:
- Standard poker rules apply, but here’s where things get interesting: Each time you lose a hand, you drink.
- You and your opponent can raise the stakes: betting shots, sips, or chugging a full drink instead of chips.
Twist: Add a “truth or dare” element to the game. The winner of the hand can force the loser to either take an extra drink or answer an embarrassing question.
4. Suits Me
A pure guessing game where a wrong call means you take a drink! Just like in the classic Suits Card Game, predict the suit of the next card. But if you guess wrong, it’s time to take a sip.
How to Play:
- Shuffle the deck and lay the cards face down in a circle.
- Players take turns guessing the suit of the top card in the circle (hearts, spades, diamonds, or clubs).
- If you guess right, your opponent drinks. If you’re wrong, it’s your turn to take a sip.
Twist: For every correct guess, your opponent drinks double the amount they previously drank. Start small, but things escalate quickly!
5. Speed Drinking
Fast hands, quick drinks! In this turbo-charged version of Snap, the quickest player gets bragging rights, while the slowpoke ends up sipping. It’s a fast-paced race to see who stays sharp and who’s getting sloppy first!
How to Play:
- Each player has half the deck. Both players flip cards at the same time, and whenever two cards of the same value are flipped (e.g., two Queens), the first player to yell “Snap!” wins.
- The loser takes a drink for every second they hesitated.
Twist: After each snap, the loser also has to name something related to a category (e.g., movies, animals, or types of cheese) before taking their drink. If they can’t think of something in 5 seconds, they take another drink.
6. Two Truths and a Lie with Cards
Think you know your friend or partner well? Think again. With this card-based twist on the classic icebreaker, you’ll be spinning stories, guessing lies, and drinking when you get it wrong.
How to Play:
This game brings out secrets and stories, with a card-based twist:
- Each card drawn represents a number. The player must say two truths and one lie about themselves, with the number of the card determining the length of their story (e.g., a “3” means their lie must be at least 3 sentences long).
- If the other player guesses the lie correctly, the storyteller drinks. If they guess wrong, they drink instead.
Twist: Add an extra rule that the lie must be as outrageous as possible. “I once wrestled a bear” or “I was in a boy band in high school” could be good places to start!
7. Pyramid Drinking
Who knew pyramids could get you tipsy? In the Pyramid Drinking Game, matching cards means making your opponent drink, and the higher up the pyramid you go, the more intense the penalties. It’s a fun mix of luck and strategy.
How to Play:
- Create a pyramid of cards, face down, starting with one card at the top, then two below it, three in the next row, and so on.
- Both players are dealt a hand of cards. Players take turns flipping over cards from the pyramid, one by one.
- If a card from the pyramid matches a card in your hand, you get to make the other player drink the number of drinks equal to the row (e.g., Row 1 = 1 drink, Row 3 = 3 drinks).
Twist: If the same card comes up more than once, the drinks stack. In Row 4? You might be looking at 8 drinks in one round!
8. Drunk Solitaire
Yes, solitaire can be a drinking game, too! With a spectator to keep you honest (and hydrated), you’ll be battling against the clock and your own brain. Mistakes cost you a drink, and failure means the ultimate penalty: chugging what’s left in your cup!
How to Play:
Yes, you can even make solitaire a two-player drinking game. Here’s how:
- One player plays a standard game of solitaire while the other player watches and drinks whenever the solitaire player makes a mistake (e.g., moves a card incorrectly, gets stuck, or can’t find a move).
- If the solitaire player wins the game, the watcher has to finish their drink. If the solitaire player loses, they drink double the remaining cards on the table.
Twist: Add a timer! If the solitaire player doesn’t finish within 5 minutes, both players take penalty drinks.
9. I’m Going On a Picnic
Test your memory as the drinks kick in! In this game, you’ll build a list of picnic items alphabetically, but forget something, and you’re taking a sip. Sounds easy? Just wait until you’re on letter G with a drink or two in hand.
How to Play:
- Player 1 starts: “I’m going on a picnic, and I’m bringing [something that starts with A].”
- Player 2 repeats the phrase, adding something starting with B.
- Keep going alphabetically, repeating the full list each time.
- Mess up the order or forget an item? Take a drink!
Twist: After 5 rounds, the penalty doubles. Feeling confident? Switch up the categories to really challenge your buzzed brain!
10. Gin Rummy with Drinks
Gin Rummy, but with booze—because why not? This classic card game gets a fun twist with drinking penalties. Play as usual, but every knock or win means someone’s sipping!
How to Play:
- Play standard Gin Rummy: draw and discard cards to form sets and runs.
- When a player knocks, the other player must take a drink.
- If a player wins by going Gin (forming all sets), the loser takes two drinks.
Twist: Add extra penalties for each deadwood card (unmatched cards) left in the losing player’s hand. Got five deadwood cards? That’s five drinks!
Can You Play King’s Cup with Two Players?
Now that you’ve warmed up with some fast-paced, hilarious drinking card games, it’s time to tackle a true party classic: King’s Cup. While it’s traditionally played in larger groups, don’t let that stop you—King’s Cup can be just as fun (if not more intense) when it’s just two players. With a few creative twists and personalized rules, you and your drinking buddy can turn this into an unforgettable showdown. Ready to up the ante?
Set up for Two Players King’s Cup Card Game
Setting up King’s Cup for two players is super easy. Start by arranging a deck of cards face down in a circle, just like in the classic game. This circle is your “Ring of Fire.” In the middle, place an empty glass—this is the King’s Cup. As the game progresses, the King’s Cup will be filled with a mix of whatever drinks you’re having. By the time the final King is drawn, it’ll be a potent concoction that the unlucky player will have to drink!
Basic Rules for King’s Cup: 2 Player Version
In this 2-person drinking game, each card you draw comes with a specific rule. Your goal is to follow the commands of the cards, all while avoiding being the person who has to drink the King’s Cup at the end.
Here’s how it works:
- Each player takes turns drawing a card from the circle.
- Every card has a rule associated with it, and both players must follow these rules.
- The game reaches its climax when the fourth and final King is drawn—the person who draws it must drink the King’s Cup.
King’s Cup Card Rules for 2 Players
To make King’s Cup fun for just two players, we’ve added some exciting twists. Here’s the breakdown of the card rules you’ll be playing with:
- Ace (Waterfall): Both players start drinking at the same time. The person who drew the card can stop whenever they want, but the other player can’t stop until they do. Who will outlast the other?
- 2 (Guess the Suit): The player who draws a 2 picks a new card from the deck. The other player must guess the suit of the card (hearts, diamonds, spades, or clubs). If they guess right, the drawer drinks. If they guess wrong, the guesser drinks.
- 3 (Me): The player who draws the card has to take two sips. Simple, but it can sneak up on you!
- 4 (Floor): It’s a race! Both players have to touch the floor as fast as possible. The last one to do it drinks.
- 5 (Higher or Lower): The player who drew the card picks another card from the deck. The other player has to guess if this new card is higher or lower in value than the previous one. After three wrong guesses, the guesser drinks. Get it right, and the drawer drinks!
- 6 (Make a Face): Time to get silly! The player who draws this card must make the funniest face they can. No drinks here, just laughter—and maybe a photo for future blackmail.
- 7 (Heaven): Both players must immediately point to the sky. The last player to do so takes a drink.
- 8 (Weird Pose): Strike the weirdest pose you can think of! The other player has to take a picture, and the goofiest pose wins. No drink required, but this one is all about showing off your creativity.
- 9 (Song Lyric): Sing a line from any song. The other player must guess the song and the artist. Can’t figure it out after three tries? That’s a drink for the guesser.
- 10 (Impersonation): The player must impersonate a famous celebrity or character. The other player has three tries to guess who it is. Guess wrong, and you’re taking a sip!
- Jack (Switcheroo): For the next round, switch roles. The guesser becomes the drawer, and vice versa.
- Queen (Compliment Battle): Engage in a compliment war! You each take turns giving genuine compliments. The first person to repeat a compliment or run out of ideas takes a drink.
- King (King’s Cup): Pour a portion of your drink into the King’s Cup. When the final King is drawn, the player who pulls it has to down the entire cup, no matter what horrifying mixture it has become!
King’s Cup 2 Players Showdown: Guessing Hidden Card
To wrap up this two-player King’s Cup game, you’ll enter the Final Battle. At the start of the game, each player draws a “Hidden Card” and places it face down. Once all the other cards have been drawn, both players try to guess the value of their opponent’s hidden card. If you guess correctly, you win a “Free for Anything” pass. If you guess wrong, you must drink the King’s Cup—and complete a task chosen by the winner!
Why This Version King’s Cup Works for Larger Groups Too
This two-player version is perfect for a cozy night in, but it can easily scale to larger groups. Instead of each player guessing their opponent’s hidden card, the whole group can participate. Everyone gets a chance to guess, and the winner receives a “Free for Anything” pass!
The classic King’s Cup categories like “Rule Master” or “Categories” can still apply to larger groups, making sure everyone stays engaged and entertained. Plus, the strategic sips keep the game fun without overwhelming anyone too quickly—a perfect pace for big parties!
Time to Play 2 Players Drinking Game
There you have it—a creative and fun twist on King’s Cup, tailored for two players but easily adaptable to bigger groups. With unpredictable rules, hilarious moments, and the looming threat of the dreaded King’s Cup, this version brings all the excitement of the classic game to an intimate setting.
So, grab a deck, pour your favorite drinks, and let the cards decide your fate. Whether you’re looking for fun 2 person drinking games or planning an epic night with a small group, King’s Cup is always a winner. Cheers to unforgettable nights and plenty of laughs!