Equipment
Deck of cards, can, drinks
Format
Card-based party game
About the Game
Ring of Fire is a card game similar to King's Cup. Players take
turns drawing cards and following the rule associated with each
card. Some cards trigger group challenges, some assign drinks,
and others let players introduce rules of their own.
This version has two important rules: every card
must be placed above the previous card around the center can,
no sneaking cards under other cards, and breaking the ring triggers the game's main penalty.
Setup
- Place an unopened can in the center of the table.
- Spread a full deck of cards face down in a ring around the can.
- Make sure the cards touch or overlap slightly to form one continuous ring.
- Players take turns drawing one card at a time and following its rule.
The Ring-Breaking Rule
Be careful when drawing a card. If you break the
ring of cards while pulling one, you trigger the special penalty.
In the traditional house rule, the player must chug the center
can. A replacement can is then placed in the center, and the game
continues using the remaining cards. Cards that have already been
pulled are out of play.
Important: Do not force anyone to chug the can.
The penalty can be replaced with a separate agreed-upon consequence,
or the drink can just be sipped on for the game.
Card Placement Rules
- Every card must be placed on top of the previously pulled card.
- Do not slide cards underneath other cards.
- Place each card carefully so the ring stays intact for the next player.
- Once a card is pulled, it is no longer part of the ring.
Card Rules
These are the rules we use at The Orchard House. You can change
any of them to suit your own group, including choosing different
options for cards with multiple variations.
Ace - Waterfall / Race
Group challenge
The player who draws the Ace starts the chain.
How to play
The person who draws the card starts drinking. The
next player begins when they do, and the chain
continues around the group.
The first player may stop whenever they choose.
After that, the next player may stop, followed by
the next, and so on. You do not have to stop just
because the person ahead of you stops.
In our version, the waterfall is limited to one
full drink. Don't be a degenerate by readying three cans to screw everyone over.
Players shouldn't be pressured to consume alcohol excessively.
2 - You
Choose a player
Choose someone to take a drink.
How to play
The player who draws the card chooses another
player. The selected player takes a drink.
3 - Me
Self
The player who draws the card takes a drink.
4 - Whores
Group
Women take a drink.
Alternative
Groups can change this rule to another category
or make it a challenge for everyone.
5 - Drive / Thumb Master
Choose one
Drive: Vroom and Skirt
Players pass an imaginary car around the circle.
Say "vroom" to pass it in the current direction.
Say "skirt" to reverse direction. The first player
who makes a mistake takes a drink.
Thumb Master
The player who draws the card becomes Thumb Master.
At any point, they discreetly or openly place
their thumb on the table. Everyone else must
follow. The last person to do so takes a drink.
The role continues until another player draws a 5.
6 - Dicks
Group
Men take a drink.
Alternative
Groups can change this rule to another category
or make it a challenge for everyone.
7 - Heaven
Quick reaction
Everyone throws a hand in the air. The last player to do so loses.
What happens next?
The last person to raise their hand takes a drink
or completes an agreed-upon alternative.
8 - Mate
Choose a partner
Choose a drinking mate.
How it works
Whenever the individual with a mate is assigned a drink by a
game rule, the mate is assigned one too.
The pairing lasts for the rest of the game unless
your group decides otherwise. Mates can chain among multiple players but they can't loop.
9 - Rhyme
Word game
Choose a word and go around the circle, saying words that rhyme with it.
How to play
The player who draws the card starts with a word.
Players take turns giving a new rhyme. Don't say a garbage word like 'orange',
the game should last longer than 5 seconds.
You lose if you repeat a word, cannot think of a
rhyme, or take more than five seconds. The losing
player takes a drink or an alternative penalty.
10 - Ten Ten Again / Categories
Choose one
Ten Ten Again
Insert the 10 under the tab on top of the previous card, take
another card, and follow its rule. Keep the card
stack balanced so you do not break the ring.
Categories
Choose a category, such as car brands or movie
titles. Players take turns naming something in
that category.
Repeating an answer, giving an invalid answer,
or taking more than five seconds means you lose
the round.
Jack - Free
Keep the card
Keep the Jack in front of you.
What it means
The Jack stays in front of the player who drew it.
It does not trigger an additional challenge.
Queen - Never Have I Ever / Question Master / Truth or Dare
Choose one
Never Have I Ever
Each player starts with three lives. Go around
the circle taking turns saying "Never have I
ever..." followed by something they have not done.
Players who have done it lose a life.
The first player to lose all three lives loses
the round and takes a drink or an alternative
penalty.
Question Master
The player who draws the Queen becomes Question
Master until another Queen is drawn. If they ask
someone a question and that person answers it,
the person who answered takes a drink or an
alternative penalty.
Truth or Dare
Choose a player and ask them truth or dare. They
must answer the truth or perform an appropriate,
agreed-upon dare. In the traditional house rule,
refusing results in three gulps. Players can
also agree upon a different penalty.
King - Make a Rule
Rule creation
Create a rule that everyone must follow.
How it works
Announce the rule clearly so everyone knows it.
Rules stack, meaning new rules are added to
previous ones instead of replacing them.
Rules can also be used to cancel out other rules.
Players are responsible for calling out others
who break a rule. Agree on an appropriate
consequence before the game continues.
There should not be anything excessive like a shot or beer chug for breaking a rule.
Joker - Pass a Shot
Keep the card
Keep the Joker in front of you as a pass.
How it works
The Joker stays in front of the player who draws
it. The player can use the Joker at any time to pass
a shot along to another player. If you still have not passed your
shot by the end of the game, you must take the penalty.
Players can also decide on an alternate penalty for this card if
a shot is too excessive.
When Does the Game End?
Ring of Fire ends when the center can's tab is popped by the
cards or when the remaining cards can no longer be drawn
without breaking the ring.
If the ring breaks, follow the ring-breaking rule: replace
the center can and continue with the cards that remain.
Previously drawn cards stay out of play.
Alcohol Safety Disclaimer
Drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period can cause
alcohol poisoning, loss of consciousness, and death. Ring of
Fire can encourage rapid drinking through waterfalls, repeated
penalties, and group challenges. Consider using nonalcoholic
drinks, and never pressure anyone to drink or impose drinking
penalties.
Stop playing if anyone feels unwell. If someone is difficult
to wake, has a seizure, has slow or irregular breathing, or
is repeatedly vomiting, call 911. Do not leave them alone or
assume they can sleep it off.
Anyone can stop or opt out at any time. Health and safety
always take priority over the game.
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