Drinking Card Games Ride The Bus

Ride the Bus Drinking Game: Rules, Variations, and How to Win

Ride the Bus is a classic drinking game that's easy to learn but offers plenty of room for hilarious chaos. It's perfect for parties, game nights, or any casual gathering where you and your friends want some fun and a little friendly competition (and maybe a few drinks). This article will cover the basic rules, variations to spice things up, and tips for mastering this exciting card game.

What You'll Need:

• A standard deck of 52 playing cards
• At least two players (more is always more fun!)
• Drinks of your choice (alcoholic or non-alcoholic)

Basic Rules of Ride the Bus:

1. Dealing the Cards: Shuffle the deck thoroughly and deal out all the cards face down to the players. No one looks at their cards yet!

2. The First Card: The first player flips over their top card. This card determines the "suit" and the number of sips for the round.

3. Suit Determines the Action:

   • Hearts: Everyone takes a sip.
   • Diamonds: The player who played the card chooses someone to take a sip.
   • Clubs: Everyone takes two sips.
   • Spades: The player who played the card chooses someone to take two sips.

4. Number Determines the Rounds: The number on the card determines how many times the action is repeated. For example, a 7 of Hearts means everyone takes 7 sips. A King of Diamonds means the player chooses someone to take 4 sips (Kings are typically considered 4). Jacks, Queens and Kings all generally represent higher values.

5. Going Around the "Bus": Play continues clockwise, with each player revealing their top card and following the rules above.

6. Winning the Game: The first person to run out of cards wins the game! (Or, you can play until everyone is out of cards and then declare a winner based on some other criteria, like who drank the least or most creatively.)

Variations to Keep Things Interesting:

• Rule Changes: You can agree to change the rules before you start. Maybe Spades mean everyone takes a sip, or Hearts mean everyone takes a shot! Get creative and tailor the rules to your group's preferences.

• Penalty Cards: Designate certain cards as "penalty cards." For example, drawing a two of any suit could mean you have to do a dare, sing a song, or tell a story.

• Themed Drinks: Use themed drinks to enhance the game. For example, during a holiday, you could use festive drinks.

• Adding Categories: Instead of just sips, create categories and assign penalties to each card based on the category. Examples of categories: Story, Song, Compliment, Roast. This adds another level of challenge and hilarity.

Tips for Mastering Ride the Bus:

• Strategic Card Placement: While it's largely a game of chance, try to be aware of the cards remaining. If you see your hand is filled with high-value cards, be ready to manage the consequences!

• Social Strategy: In versions where you can choose someone to drink, consider picking on players who are already a little tipsy or those who are less likely to retaliate! It’s all in good fun, of course.

• Pace Yourself: Remember to drink responsibly! The goal is to have fun, not to get completely intoxicated.

Ride the Bus is a simple yet engaging drinking card game that’s perfect for a fun night with friends. By understanding the basic rules and incorporating variations, you can create a memorable and hilarious experience for everyone involved. So grab a deck of cards, gather your friends, and get ready to ride the bus!