The world's most popular drinking games - Learn all about the best classic drinking games from different countries! From Irish Poker in Ireland to Bicho Bebe in Brazil to Avalanche in the USA. Discover the funniest drinking games and experience the drinking game fun of a lifetime! Cheers!
Let's go
Ready for the drinking game fun of your life?
The fact that they will most likely be responsible for your headache the next morning doesn't interest anyone at that moment.
What drinking game immediately comes to mind when you think of boozy nights with your friends? Beer Pong, perhaps? Or even Bus Driver? Perhaps one of our drinking games is your absolute favorite?
No matter your answer, the probability that people in other countries are completely unaware of this drinking game is higher than you think.
The joy of drinking unites nations and people all over the world. Have you ever thought about how drinking games are played in Ireland? Or how people pre-drink in Chile, and what they drink in drinking games in Sweden?
We had the same question, so we found and compiled the answers for all of us.
A personal favorite here at the BeerBaller Office, besides Beer Pong, is the game "Never Have I Ever..." If you ever run out of questions, we have the ultimate "Never Have I Ever" guide for you. This game is truly known worldwide, but others aren't. Let's start by clarifying the basic question:
How do drinking games actually come about? Who comes up with them, and how long have drinking games been played?
The emergence of the “drinking game” concept
In fact, the Sumerians are said to have invented the concept of drinking games. As early as 3000 BC, they were supposedly playing a game called "The Royal Game of Ur." The Greeks were also very early adopters of drinking. They played a drinking game called "katava," which involved splashing the last drops at the bottom of the wine glass onto the wall. How exactly the winner was determined is unclear. But as long as they had fun, everything was fine.
In general, the first drinking games were much simpler and focused primarily on speed and stamina. In Germany, the whole drinking game fun began in the Middle Ages with drinking contests, as always!
As you can see, people discovered the joy of drinking games very early on. Completely understandable, right?
Now it’s time to take a closer look at some countries:
Ireland
As we all know, things can quickly get lonely and boring on an island, so the Irish have to keep themselves entertained somehow...in this case, with drinking games!
Number 1: Irish Poker
The Irish don't do things by halves. In Irish Poker, the dealer places four cards face down on the table. The person sitting to the left of the dealer takes first and must guess whether the first face-down card is red or black. If the player guesses correctly, they may nominate another player to drink. That player must drink as many seconds as the value of the card. If the person sitting next to them guesses incorrectly, they must take a shot. The game is over when everyone has a shot! 😉
Number 2: The 2 Euro Spin
In this drinking game, everyone is responsible for themselves. All you need is a 2-euro coin or another coin of a similar size. You each fill a glass for your opponent with the amount of beer of your choice. If you're playing fair, all glasses should contain the same amount of beer. Another player then spins the coin, and then it's all about speed. Both players drink as much as they can while the coin is spinning. Whoever has drunk the most at the end wins.
Brazil
In Brazil, the weather is hot, the people are beautiful, and the food is delicious. This combination invites enjoyment. The locals think so too, because they like to live life to the fullest. Such a mindset calls for cool drinking games, right?
Number 1: Bicho Bebe
This game is relatively easy to understand. Translated, it means "the animal drinks" or "the drinking animal." Each player chooses an animal. The process is simple: the players name the different animals. When your animal is named, you have to drink. However, it's your job to pass the shot to another player.
A typical sequence of events for this game looks something like this:
the zebra drinks!
the zebra doesn't drink!
who drinks then?
the koala drinks!
the koala doesn't drink!
who drinks then?
the cow drinks!
This continues until someone makes a mistake.
Pro tip: Always choose an animal that's neither too unusual nor too standard. Otherwise, your fellow players will constantly mention you.
Instead of dog perhaps mule, instead of cat perhaps ox.
Number 2: Jogo do Não
A very simple drinking game, or perhaps even more complicated?
It's actually quite tricky to win this game, and creativity is required! The only rule: never say "no," otherwise you lose the game. That's how easy it is to create a drinking game.
USA
Ah yes, America...the United States always wants to be number 1 everywhere. Bigger, louder, and better, the Americans like that. But can they keep up with other nations when it comes to drinking games?
Number 1: Avalanche
This drinking game is perfect for any casual gathering with friends. All you need is a dice and a cup. Each player has their own red cup. A red cup is also placed in the middle of the table. The first player begins by pouring any amount of alcohol into this cup. They roll the dice, and depending on the number, the following happens:
- 1: The player does nothing but passes the glass and dice to the next player.
- 2: The player pours another amount of alcohol into the cup in the middle and passes the cup and dice to the next player.
- 3: The player must drink the contents of the cup in the middle
- 4: The player calls "floor!" Everyone must either point to the floor or fall to the floor. The slowest player must drink the cup in the middle.
- 5: The player can nominate any player who has to drink his/her own cup
- 6: Just like with a 1. However, many groups decide that a new rule can be invented for the 6
Number 2: Three Men
This game requires only two dice. All players sit at a table with a glass of alcohol. One player is the "Three Man." The Three Man and the player whose turn it is roll simultaneously. The sum of the two dice determines what happens:
- 7: the player's right-hand neighbor must take a drink
- 11: the player's left neighbor must take a drink
- 9: everyone has to drink
- A multiple of 3: The Three Man must drink
- 4 and an ace: Everyone must touch the ground. The slowest player must drink.
- 5 and an ace: Everyone must point to the ceiling. The slowest player must drink.
- Double: If a double is rolled, the player can force everyone to drink, including the Three Man.
After each player has had a turn, a new Three Man is chosen. This continues until you're completely drunk or want to try a different drinking game idea.
Well, were we able to inspire you a little? We hope so!
Feel free to message us on Instagram about other countries we're missing here. There will definitely be a second part to this blog.
Until then, stay funky and try out games from all over the world! Which country has the coolest drinking games?
