15 Finest Drinking Games For Small Groups

Attention! Here’s to all our people who’ve decided to spend all their upcoming joyful & happy moments with a small group of people they love most! Even though there are plenty of drinking games out there, sadly, not all of them are in their best shape when it comes to small groups. If you’ve gathered with your very close people, don’t you dare skip the games part, just because you think you can’t find a good one. 

We’re happily announcing that we’ve carefully explored our virtual & actual world, and cooked up a list of the best possible games to play with only a few people. If you’re an introvert, and you just want to have fun with 2-3 friends, we got you. If you’re an extrovert, and you have hundreds of people you can hang with, but still, want to connect with your most beloved ones, we got you too! Take a drink, and enjoy these masterpieces! 

• The games:

1. Shot Roulette;
2. Back To Back;
3. Circle Of Death;
4. Hesitation;
5. Beer Pong;
6. Drunk-Opoly;
7. Quarters;
8. Never Have I Ever;
9. Thumper;
10. Drown The Clown;
11. Cheers To The Governor;
12. Avalanche;
13. Friends Drinking Game;
14. Three Man;
15. Bite The Bag;

• Summarize: What’s most fun about these games?

1. Shot Roulette

Necessities to play this drinking game:

A shot roulette (get it on Amazon or make your own), shot glasses & alcohol. And friends to play with.

How to set up the game?

Put drinks of your choice in the shot glasses, different types of alcohol, or whatever. Place them all in the roulette. Place the roulette in the center of the table, so every player can see it. 

Playing the game:

Well, this is not Rihanna’s Russian Roulette. It’s Shot roulette, and you may play it in various versions. You may pour one alcohol type in all the glasses, choose some glasses to pour alcohol & some others water (so you don’t know what you’ll drink), pour different types of alcohol or even non-alcoholic drinks, so things get spicier. This part is up to you. Next, everyone takes turns, spinning the wheel of the roulette. Wherever it lands, that’s the drink you have to drink! Before playing, make sure everyone agrees to the rule, and emphasize that every player has to drink exactly what the wheel says, and not try to do tricks. 

2. Back To Back

Necessities to play this drinking game:

Some drinks. Yes. That’s all. That’s the tweet. 

How to set up the game?

If you’re only 2 people, this works great as a 2-players drinking game. But, if there’s more, take turns two by two, and sit back to back. A third player to ask the questions would be welcomed.

Playing the game: 

Yes, Amy Winehouse has a song named Back To Black, but, no, this is not it. Once you’re sitting back to back with the other player, the remaining players (even if it’s just one) starts asking Who’s Most Likely To… questions. Now, after the question is made, if you think you’re most likely to, drink. If both of you drink, then, you both have to take a second shot. Also, if none of you drink, again, you both take one shot. If you’re only 2 people in the room, simply make a list of questions in front of you or our article, and you read & drink by yourself. I mean, who’d say no to some drama? 

3. Circle Of Death

Necessities to play this drinking game:

A deck of classic cards, 1 cup to place in the middle (with alcohol in it), and several other drinks.

How to set up the game?

Take that special cup and place it somewhere in the center of the table. Next, spread the deck of cards around the cup, each card touching the other. All the players sit and start playing.  

Playing the game:

Kings, Waterfall, Circle Of Death, they’re all pretty similar. The first thing you should know is that everyone takes their turn, and a turn consists of drawing a card. Now, pay attention. Things are about to get intense. Each card has its own rule. So, cards from Ace to King, all make you do different things. Even though you’re free to make up your house rules, we’ll give you some examples.

Let’s say if you draw an Ace – everyone waterfalls, if you draw a 10- you start a category game if you draw a Queen – you ask someone a question, they answer and continue asking someone a question, and finally, if you draw the 4th King, you drink the middle cup.  You may also make rules for specific cards, where players pour some of their drinks into the middle cup, so there’s a kind of cocktail made. 

4. Hesitation

Necessities to play this drinking game:

Only some drinks. Your faves. Nothing else. 

How to set up the game?

Everyone sits around the table, or stands up in a circle, with the only purpose that every player can see each other. 

Playing the game: 

You won’t hesitate to play this game, believe me! Simply, choose the player who has to start first. Whatever way you use it. The oldest player, the funniest one, the one who drinks most, or just randomly. Next, the first player starts by pointing to someone in the circle and asking them a question. They should answer, and then point to another player and ask one other question. This goes on repeatedly. Whoever hesitates to answer, has to take a sip of their drink. We recommend you stay away from close questions and always try to ask something that starts conversations. Also, if you know someone well, don’t go over their limits. The key is that everyone feels comfortable. 

5. Beer Pong

Necessities to play this drinking game:

Plastic cups, ping pong balls, and alcohol, by default. 

How to set up the game?

Based on the number of cups you have, divide them, and arrange two pyramids in both corners of the table. Fill the cups only halfway. 

Playing the game:

No matter if you’re looking for a Halloween party game or a drinking game for small groups, Beer Pong is always our go-to! You know, it’s super simple. If you’re only 2 players, fine. If not, we recommend you divide into 2 teams. Anyways, take that ball and throw it on the other side of the table, trying to land it in one of your opponent’s cups. If your ball lands successfully, the other team has to drink the alcohol from that cup, and also remove that cup from the pyramid. But, if your ball goes too far, you have to drink one cup from your pretty pyramid. Just to make it clear, it doesn’t matter if you bounce the ball, or throw it straight. Don’t worry, beer happy! 

6. Drunk-Opoly – $25.00

Necessities to play this drinking game:

The game set. It’s available on Amazon, once more. Also, keep some drinks near you.

How to set up the game? 

Place the board on the table, and then place the two decks of cards on it. 

Playing the game:

Well no, it isn’t a Monopoly or Monopoly Deal. In Drunk-Opoly, you won’t go bankrupt, you’ll go drunk. Roll the dice, which tells you where your spot is, and what you have to do. Each land is very specific and clear. There are only 2 parts that require something special: wrecked rhymes & challenges. Both of them ask you to draw cards from the specific deck. If you draw a challenge card, usually there’s a challenge applied to all the players (or some filters), and the loser or the one who relates has to drink. On the other side, the wrecked rhymes require you to read it in one, or down a drink in one. The rhymes are a bit messed up though. Yeah, if you’re 2 or more people interested in playing, go for it, baby! 

7. Quarters

Necessities to play this drinking game:

2 quarters (optionally, a quarter for each player), a glass, and beverages for each player. 

How to set up the game? 

Place the beer glass (or any other glass or cup)  in the middle of the table. All players should sit in a circle, holding their beverages.

Playing the game:

The famous, the lovely Quarters! Playing the game is pretty simple. Turn the concentration mode on! Now, every player takes their turn bouncing the quarter and trying to throw it into the glass. You only have one try. If you fail on your try, you pass the quarter clockwise. But, since you’re a master, you may also bounce it successfully. If that happens, you make someone drink a shot & also get one more chance to play again. 

If you succeed three times in a row, you’re allowed to make a new game rule. It could be anything, get creative! You may say for the rest of the game, no one can say ‘drink’, the quarter can only be face-up when someone bounces into the glass 2 times in the row, everyone drinks, and many more available ideas. Cheers! 

8. Never Have I Ever

Necessities to play this drinking game:

Drinks for each player, a list of questions. 

How to set up the game? 

It has the simplest setup. Just sit in a circle, near each other, so everyone hears and sees the other players. 

Playing the game:

Yes, Never Have I Ever, and all the similar party games fit in every party, spilling facts. Never Have I Ever as a drinking game requires 2 or more players. Or you can play alone if you’re that desperate. Anyways, start by asking questions. You may either write a list of questions, look for one online, or simply each player takes turns making their statements. Just to be clear, for example, someone may say ‘Never Have I Ever gone out in underwear’. Now, if someone has done that specific thing at a certain point in their life, they have to drink. The ones who haven’t done it will remain sober. So yeah, it continues for as long as you wish. Don’t get alcohol poisoning tho’!  

9. Thumper

Necessities to play this drinking game:

Drinks, your hands, and a large enough table.

How to set up the game?

Sit around the table, and make sure everyone has a place at the table for both their hands.

Playing the game:

Thumper is one of these games that isn’t complicated but looks like it. Now look, everyone places their hands on the table and starts taping, no stopping. Now, one player, at a certain time, taps with one hand, and with the other throws one hand sign, whatever they want. It could be a peace sign, rock & roll, anything. Next, they put the hand down, tap, and then raise one hand and point to another player. 

Now, that player should remember the sign of the previous player, do it with one hand, place it back on the table, tap, do their hand sign, tap again, raise their hand & point to another player to do the same. Simply, this is what happens. This continues until someone messes up. Forgets the sign, messes up the taping, or any kind of a mess. Naturally, whoever messes up, has to drink. 

10. Drown The Clown

Necessities to play this drinking game:

A deck of cards, and drinks for each player. 

How to set up the game? 

You won’t use the whole deck of cards. Only include 1 card for each player, and make sure that there are 2 of the same cards included. Shuffle the deck, and deal everyone one card facedown. 

Playing the game: 

We called some games simple, but no, this gotta be the simplest ever. Everyone has got their card, facedown, right? Now, in a count of three, each player turns over their card. There are 2 cards of the same rank. If you see that your card and some other player’s card are the ‘chosen’ ones, you’ve got to point at them, and shout ‘Drown The Clown’. If you’re the first person to do so, the other player drinks. If let’s say, your eyes lie to you and you think you see the same cards, but it’s a false alarm, you must drown 2 drinks at a time. The faster the game is played, the better atmosphere is created. 

11. Cheers To The Governor

Necessities to play this drinking game:

Drinks for each player. That’s all. 

How to set up the game?

Each player sits around the table or on the floor, holding their drinks. 

Playing the game:

No, we’re not into governors, or anything political. First, let me make sure all of you know how to count down to 21. Yeah, each player says one number, in order, from 1 to 21. When 21 is said, all the players shout ‘Cheers to the Governor’ and drink. The player who had said 21, may make their rule that applies to the game from then on. Get creative, and make your rules, such as the player who says the number 5 has to drink when it’s the turn to say 11, the game changes the game direction, the latest to say the phrase drinks, it’s all up to you. If any of the players mess up the rules, they have to drink. Easy peasy lemon squeezy! 

12. Avalanche

Necessities to play this drinking game:

A dice, beverages for all the people playing, and an extra cup.

How to set up the game?

Everyone sits around the table, holding their beverages. Place the extra cup in the middle of the table. 

Playing the game:

It’s all about what the dice tell us. First, one played, randomly chosen, pours some of their drink into the game cup. The amount is up to the player. Next, that player rolls the dice and does different actions based on the number. If it is a 1: that player just passes the cup and the dice to the player on their left. If it’s a 2: that player adds even more of their drink into the cup and passes it to the next player. If it’s a 3: the player drinks whatever’s in the cup. If it’s a 4: he/she screams ‘floor!’ & and whoever touches the ground last, has to drink. If it’s a 5: that player can make anyone in the room drink the cup.  Finally, if it’s a 6: you can make your game rule and apply it to the game. 

13. Friends Drinking Game

Necessities to play this drinking game:

Drinks & a device to watch the Friends Tv-Show.

How to set up the game? 

Sit somewhere comfortable, on the couch, or anywhere you feel like it. Go to any website, and play a random episode of Friends.

Playing the game:

No, we’re not talking about your friends. We’re talking about our friends. About everyone’s friends! Well, the Friends drinking game doesn’t require anything special. Play the show, read our drinking ideas, or even add your own & make a list. There are 3 ways you’ll drink, based on how often that scene is repeated: take a sip, take two sips, and finish your drink. You just have to be concentrated while watching the episode, and any time one of the characters says or does something mentioned on the list, you drink based on the category it is on. Remember, the more you drink, the more you help the kids (Phoebe!!!). 

14. Three Man

Necessities to play this drinking game:

A pair (two) of dice, and drinks.

How to set up the game? 

Sit around the table, and keep your beverages near you. 

Playing the game:

Start by first choosing the ‘Three Man’. Any way of choosing him/her works fine. The Three Man is the player who will always roll one dice. The other dice will be rolled by all the other players, taking turns. Now, the game actions depend on what the sum of two dice is, similar to Avalanche. You may make your list of rules, but, here are some simple ideas: 

• If the result is an even number, the person sitting on that player’s left has to take one shot;
• If it’s a double of any single number, the player who rolled the dice, is free to make any player drink, including the Three Man;
• If it’s a sum of an Ace and any number, everyone should fall to the floor. The last player to do so, drinks;

15. Bite The Bag

Necessities to play this drinking game:

A paper bag, drinks for each player, and optionally, scissors. 

How to set up the game?

Start the game by placing the paper bag on the floor. 

Playing the game:

Well, some ideas can get nonsense. No, this is not one of them. It looks weird, doesn’t it? Well, once you’ve placed the bag on the floor, take turns playing. In a turn, players try to pick up the bag, only using their mouths. The only rule is that you can only touch the floor with your feet, and touch the bag with your mouth. If anyone falls or fails to pick the bag up, has to take a shot, or chug their beer. Now, if you want to make things more complicated, when it’s the first player’s (who started the game) second turn, start cutting the bag a bit, making it shorter & not so simple anymore. Let me tell you, it looks so easy, but, oh, the tension! 

Summarize: What’s Most Fun About These Games?

Wait… We kept repeating small groups. There are small groups written on the title. But, how do we define a small group? Well, according to, you know, life rules, and Google, a small group consists of about 3 to 12 people. However, all of our games work incredibly well with only 2 players.

No matter the number of players, these drinking games are what bring fun to your parties, gather your people together, and also get y’all drunk. That’s the point, right? However, we love how they’re all pretty simple to learn, and don’t require any special equipment. There isn’t a competition, nor that winning-the-game tension.

We won’t get tired of mentioning it: drink carefully! Have fun, drink, but always be responsible. Down the hatch!