Ring of Fire

Draw a card, follow the rule, don't break the ring, don't pop the tab.

Players 3 or more
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

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

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.

← Back to Party Games
← Back to Party Games