Ride The Bus Card Drinking Game

Ride the Bus Card Drinking Game: A Hilarious and Slightly Risky Adventure

This article details the rules and variations of "Ride the Bus," a card drinking game perfect for casual gatherings. Note: Always drink responsibly and never drive under the influence of alcohol. This game is intended for adults of legal drinking age only.

Ride the Bus is a fast-paced, unpredictable card game that's guaranteed to bring laughter and maybe a little bit of friendly competition (and possibly a headache) to your next party. It's easy to learn, requires minimal materials, and can be adapted to suit different levels of risk tolerance. This means it's a great choice for both seasoned drinking game veterans and newcomers alike.

What You'll Need:

• A standard deck of 52 playing cards
• Drinks of your choice (beer, wine, shots – whatever suits your group’s preference)
• Willing participants

Basic Rules of Ride the Bus:

1. Deal the Cards: Shuffle the deck thoroughly and deal each player five cards. Place the remaining cards face down in the center to form the draw pile.

2. The Bus: The goal is to get rid of all your cards by matching the rank (number or face card) of a card in your hand with the top card of the draw pile.

3. Matching Cards: If the top card of the draw pile is a 7, for example, any player holding a 7 can place it on the pile.

4. Taking Turns: Players take turns, starting with the person to the dealer’s left. If a player can't match the top card of the draw pile, they must draw a card from the draw pile. If they can then match, they can play. If not, their turn ends.

5. Going Out: The first player to get rid of all their cards shouts "Ride the Bus!" This player wins the round and sets the penalty for the remaining players.

Penalties and Variations:

This is where the fun (and potentially the consequences) really begin. There are several ways to determine penalties for players who haven't gotten rid of all their cards:

• Number of Cards: Each player drinks a shot for every card left in their hand.
• Card Value: Players drink according to the value of the cards they're holding (Aces = 1, Jacks = 11, Queens = 12, Kings = 13). This adds a layer of strategic drinking!
• Creative Penalties: Let your imagination run wild! Come up with funny, harmless challenges or forfeits for those who don't "Ride the Bus" first. This could include singing a song, telling a joke, or even doing a silly dance. The more creative, the better!

Advanced Rules and Variations:

To spice things up, consider these advanced rules:

• Wild Cards: Designate a card (e.g., the Joker) as a wild card, allowing it to match any card. This can drastically change the game's dynamics.
• Special Cards: Assign special effects to certain cards. For example, a King could allow a player to force another player to drink, or a Queen could let them skip their turn.
• Team Play: Divide players into teams and have them work together to get rid of all their cards.

Tips for a Smooth Ride:

• Set clear rules: Before starting, make sure everyone understands the rules and any variations you've decided to use.
• Pace yourselves: Remember to drink responsibly. Encourage players to take breaks and stay hydrated.
• Keep it fun: The goal is to enjoy yourselves. Don't take the game too seriously.

Ride the Bus is a flexible game, easily adapted to your group’s preference for risk and hilarity. So gather your friends, grab your drinks, shuffle the cards, and prepare for a wild and unpredictable ride! Remember to always prioritize safety and responsible drinking.