Card Drinking Games for Small Groups - Keep It Fun and Intimate

Here are some of the best card-drinking games for intimate settings that guarantee a good time without the chaos of a larger party.

Higher or Lower: The Gamble of Destiny

Do you think you've got the psychic ability to predict the future? Well, Higher or Lower will put that to the test! Every flip of the card could mean triumph or taking a drink. Will you be the sage who guesses every card correctly or the unlucky soul who keeps the drinks flowing?

Setup

• Shuffle a standard deck of cards.
• Place the deck in the centre of the table.

Gameplay

1. The first player flips the top card of the deck and places it face up.
2. The next player guesses whether the next card will be higher or lower in value.
3. If they guess correctly, the turn moves on. If they're wrong, they take a drink.
4. Optional: If the next card is the same value (e.g., two Kings), the guesser finishes their drink.

Bonus Tips

• Add a penalty for wrong guesses involving face cards (e.g., take two drinks if you're wrong about a Queen or King).
• Have the player who guesses correctly assign drinks to someone else as a fun twist!

Drunk Poker - Bluff Your Way to Sobriety

A favourite of Minimum Deposit Casinos  is also perfect for those who love bluffing their way through Poker? Drunk Poker ups the stakes by making every chip lost a sip gained! If you wish to dominate, whether you're an ace at reading faces or the kind who bets big on a pair of twos, this game is a hilarious mix of strategy and buzzed decision-making.

Setup

• Use poker chips or placeholders like candies or coins for betting.
• Choose a simple poker variant, such as Texas Hold 'em or Five-Card Draw.

Gameplay

1. Each player gets chips and a drink to start.
2. Standard poker rules apply, but instead of losing chips, losing players drink according to the size of their bets:

• Small bet = 1 sip

• Medium bet = 2 sips

• All-in loss = finish your drink!
• The winner of each round gets to assign extra drinks.

Bonus Tips

• Add a "bluffing penalty" where prominent bluffs require the bluffer to take an extra sip.
• For added fun, use wild cards or jokers to shake things up.

Ride the Bus - All Aboard the Boozy Express

Buckle up! Ride the Bus is less about reaching your destination and more about laughing at everyone's terrible guesses. Each round brings wild swings of fortune, and the penalties come thick and fast.

Setup

• Shuffle the deck and deal four cards face down to each player.

Gameplay

1. Players take turns guessing specific characteristics of their cards in this order:

• Red or Black

• Higher or Lower

• In Between or Outside

• Suit Guess

1. For every wrong guess, players take a drink.
2. The player who gets the most wrong guesses is the ultimate "bus rider" and has to drink a penalty (like a big sip or a special cocktail).

Bonus Tips

• Add a rule where players who get all guesses wrong must create a "toast" for everyone to drink.
• Make it more challenging by letting other players distract the guesser with random chatter.

Kings (Small-Scale Version) - Royal Fun in a Tight Circle

Who says you need a big court to play Kings? This compact version keeps all the fun but focuses the chaos on just a few players. Will you rule the group with your custom rule or add a questionable concoction to the King's Cup?

Setup

• Spread a deck of cards in a circle around an empty cup (the "King's Cup").
• Assign actions to each card. Here are some suggestions:

• 2: "You" – Pick someone to drink.

• 5: "Guys" – All guys drink.

• 7: "Heaven" – Everyone points up; the last to do so drinks.

• King: Add a splash of your drink to the King's Cup.

Gameplay

1. Players take turns drawing a card and performing the action tied to it.
2. The game ends when the last King is drawn, and that player drinks the King's Cup.

Bonus Tips

• Customize the card rules to suit your group, like making face cards mini-dares.
• Keep the King's Cup relatively mild, so no one regrets it later!

War with Drinks - Battle of the Buzzed

Bring out your competitive side with War, where every flip of the card could spell victory—or a long sip of defeat! Whether you're winning by sheer luck or dominating with a killer streak, this fast-paced game is perfect for small groups.

Setup

• Divide a shuffled deck evenly between all players.

Gameplay

1. Each player flips the top card of their pile. The highest card wins, and the losers drink.
2. In case of a tie, a "war" begins:

• Each player places three cards face down and then flips a fourth to determine the winner.

1. The winner of each round collects the cards. The game continues until one player collects the whole deck—or everyone gets too tipsy to keep playing!

Bonus Tips

• Add a "wild card" rule where Jokers cause everyone to drink.
• Let the winner of each round assign drinks for extra fun.

Screw the Dealer - Outwit or Outdrink

As the dealer, you hold all the power—until someone outsmarts you! Screw the Dealer is equal parts strategy and silliness, making it perfect for small groups who love quick rounds and lots of guessing.

Setup

• Shuffle a deck and choose a player to be the dealer.

Gameplay

1. The dealer draws a card and keeps it hidden.
2. The guessing player tries to guess the value of the card. The dealer tells them if the actual value is higher or lower.
3. If the guesser is wrong, they take a drink and guess again. If they're correct, the dealer drinks, and the role rotates.

Bonus Tips

• Keep a visible record of cards already revealed for better guesses later.
• Add a "dealer's revenge" rule where the dealer gets to assign one drink per round.

Pyramid - The Drunken Memory Maze

Pyramid is a hilarious mix of memory and strategy. Every matching card brings laughter and drinks, while bluffing raises the stakes!

Setup

• Lay out cards in a pyramid shape: 1 card on top, 2 in the second row, 3 in the third, and so on.
• Deal four cards to each player.

Gameplay

1. Start with the bottom row and flip each card in the pyramid individually.
2. Players can match cards in their hand with the flipped cards to assign drinks to other players. The number of drinks matches the row number (e.g., Row 1 = 1 drink, Row 4 = 4 drinks).
3. Bluffing is allowed, but if caught, the bluffer must drink double!

Bonus Tips

• Create alliances to gang up on one player—it's all in good fun!
• Add a "wild row" where every card flipped means a drink for everyone.

Small gatherings often lead to the best memories, especially with suitable games. These card-drinking games are easy to set up and guarantee fun for groups of 2–4 people. Whether you're in the mood for strategy with Drunk Poker or nostalgia with Go Fish, there's a game here to suit every vibe.

So grab a deck of cards, pour your drinks, and prepare for an unforgettable night with your closest friends!