King’s Cup [Easy Drinking Game Rules]

What is King’s Cup?

King’s Cup (also known as Circle of Death or Ring of Fire) is a drinking game where players take turns drawing cards from a pile and following the rule associated with the card that was pulled. The easy-to-follow rules and simple supplies make it a drinking game favorite among college students.

Click here to jump to the rules!

The History Behind King’s Cup Drinking Game

King’s Cup drinking game is one of the most iconic and popular drinking games in the world, but the exact origin of this classic game remains a mystery. Rumor has it that it was invented by British soldiers during World War I to pass the time.

The rules of King’s Cup have changed over time, but its core concept remains the same: players take turns drawing cards from a deck and performing tasks or drinking based on what card they draw.

Today, King’s Cup is still widely enjoyed by people all over the world as a fun way to get together with friends and enjoy some drinks.

How to Set Up King’s Cup

All you need to play is a deck of cards, a group of friends, and an unopened beer can (or a plastic cup). To start put the unopened beer in the middle of the table and spread the cards face-down around it, creating the Circle of Death. 

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Rules of King’s Cup

The first player starts by pulling a card and then following the rule associated with the card. The most common rules for King’s Cup are as follows:

• Ace – Waterfall: Everyone must start drinking. The person who pulled the card can stop at any point. Once the first player stops, the next person in the circle can stop whenever they want. Players are only allowed to stop drinking when the player next to them does. This continues all the way around the circle.
• 2- You: The player who pulled the card picks someone to drink.
• 3- Me: If you pulled the card, you drink.
• 4- Floor: Players must race to touch the floor with their finger. The last player to touch must drink.
• 5- Guys: All the guys must drink.
• 6- Chicks: All the women must drink.
• 7- Heaven: Everyone must point towards the sky. The last person to do so drinks.
• 8- Relate: The person who pulled the card says a thing (Football), and the person next to them says something that relates to it (helmet or stadium) . This continues around the circle until someone says something that doesn’t relate or they don’t say anything at all. The person who messes up drinks.
• 9- Rhyme: The person who pulled the card says a word, then the players must go around a circle rhyming with that word. First person to say something that doesn’t rhyme must drink.
• 10- Categories: The player that pulled the card picks a category (dog breeds), then players must go around the circle listing things based on the category (german shepherd, pit bull, etc.). If you mess it up, then you must drink.
• Jack- Back: The direction of play changes to the opposite way. If you’re going clockwise, now play goes counter-clockwise. (Some variations also have Jack as playing a round of “never have I ever”)
• Queen- Question master: If you ask someone a question and they answer, that player must drink. The question master changes every time a Queen is pulled.
• King- Rule maker: If you pull this card, you make a rule that all other players must follow. If they don’t follow it, they drink. (Rule: Everyone must talk in a British accent)

Gameplay

After you pull a card and follow the rule, you must place the card underneath the tab of the beer can. If you’re using a plastic cup you must place the card on top, and make sure at least two corners are hanging off the card underneath.

The person who cracks open the beer can or knocks the cards off the top of the cup must chug the beer.

Depending on where you play, the rules of King’s Cup may vary slightly, but you’ll be guaranteed to have a good time no matter what. Since you already have the deck of cards and beer, you might as well play Ride the Bus drinking game.

If you’re looking for drinking games without cards, we’ve got you covered too.

Remember to party responsibly!