King’s Cup: How To Play

ring of fire rules or circle of death rules

It is said that no two games of Kings Cup or Ring of Fire are the same since variations to this game are quite common and you can make up your own rules as well.

You can give the cards different meanings, or set conditions for players which, when not followed, have to be compensated by a penalty drink.

Here are some common variations:

Variations for Ace

  • ACE IS FOR RACE

Upon drawing an ace, you have to pick another player and race them to drink a full cup.

  • ACE SLAP YOUR FACE

Upon drawing an ace, all players have to slap your face. The one who slaps you last has to drink.

Variations for 2

  • 2 MEANS SHUFFLE

When the card 2 is drawn, everyone has to exchange seats with another player. The last one to settle down drinks.

Variations for 3

  • 3 MEANS DIRECTION SHIFT

3 almost always means ‘me’. However, you can bring a twist to the game by making 3 stand for a change in the direction of the game from clockwise to anti-clockwise.

Variations for 4

  • 4 IS FOR DINOSAUR

The typical ladies-only 4 rule can be substituted by this variation. Whoever draws this card has to draw a dinosaur on another player’s face.

Variations for 5

  • 5 IS JIVE

Whoever draws this card has to do a dance move and drink.

Alternately, whoever draws this card has to do a dance move. The next person has to repeat the move and add another move as well, and the player after that has to repeat the sequence and include a further move too.

This goes on until someone makes a mistake in the dance sequence, and that person has to drink.

  • 5 IS DRIVE

Draw this card and you can steer the game in the direction you want. Hold an imaginary steering wheel and turn it in the direction you want the game to go while saying ‘VROOM’.

The next player can keep the game going in the same direction with a ‘VROOM’, or change the direction with ‘SKKRT’.

  • 5 IS FOR DIVE

When this card is drawn, all players have to dive under the table. Whoever does this last has to drink.

Variation for 6

  • 6 IS FOR THUMB MASTER

This ‘men’s only’ card can be used another way, too. Whoever draws it becomes the ‘thumb master’. The thumb master can put their thumb on the table at any point in the game, and other players have to follow.

The last one to do these drinks. The thumb master changes when another player draws this card.

Variations for 7

  • 7 IS SNAKE EYES

Whoever picks this card has ‘snake eyes’. Whenever they make eye contact with another player throughout the game, that player must drink.

  • 7 IS BUZZING

It’s a group rule. Players take turns saying numbers from 1 in sequence. However, the player after ‘6’ has to say ‘BUZZ’ instead of 7.

Actually all multiples of 7 should be replaced with ‘BUZZ’. Whoever misses the ‘BUZZ’ has to drink.

Variation for 8

  • 8 IS FOR HATE

Draw an 8, and you get to choose a player and make them drink until you say ‘stop’. However, if they finish their drink before you say stop, they get to do the same with you.

OTHER RULES

Here are some general rules you can introduce to the game for added fun before you begin.

  • THE THREE D’s RULE

The three D’s are the words ‘drink’, ‘drank’, and ‘drunk’. You can make it a rule to avoid saying these three words throughout the game. Whoever slips must have a penalty drink.

  • THE OPPOSITE HAND RULE

Left-handed players have to hold their drink with their right hand at all times during the game. Similarly, right-handed players have to use their left hand to hold their drinks. Whoever is caught doing otherwise gets a penalty drink.

  • THE NO POINTING RULE

Simply introduce this rule into your game so that players aren’t allowed to point their fingers at each other. Unable to follow? Penalty drink!

  • SMOKO OR TOILET CARD

In the Australian version of the game, this one replaces Give Two Take Two. For a smoking break or a trip to the loo, you need to possess the Smoko card or trade it from another player by fulfilling a certain condition (like refilling drinks when needed or talking in a funny voice).

  • THE JOKER CARD

This one is another Australian variation of the game in which the Joker card is added. Whoever draws this card has to take a bong hit of pure good Cush.

You can also think up rules by yourself and introduce them to your game. King’s Cup aka Ring of Fire is pretty flexible, and part of the fun is trying out new rules and setting new challenges so that you never get bored!