When the BarWhiz research crew isn’t out on assignment looking for the best party cities or in the lab coming up with extensive lists of the most popular drinks, you can find them in the BarWhiz conference room – which is what we call the pub down the street – playing an assortment of drinking games.

What can we say; it’s a great team building exercise that helps with both morale and to get the creative juices flowing. When it comes to creating drinking games, virtually anything can be turned into one – and by anything, we really mean anything.

Back in collage friends of mine invented a drinking game that involved a set of dice and the trivia cards from Trivial Pursuit. It was dubbed, Drink Asshole, because the longer you played the game, the more belligerent you became. Sadly, Drink Asshole did not make our list of the most popular drinking games. I suspect that it has something to do with being the only BarWhiz researcher that hails from Canada.

But I digress. So without further adieu, here are the most popular college drinking games (Thank you Howcast for sharing these videos):

#1 – Beer Pong

One of the most popular college drinking games by far is Beer Pong. It’s easy to learn, fun to watch, and requires a specific set of skills that cannot be found anywhere else. The only downside with Beer Pong is the amount of room that is required to play a proper game.

#2 – Edward 40 Hands

Typically part of a frat hazing ritual, Edward 40 Hands has developed into a staple in the repertoire of college drinking games. The premise is simple, and in reality, it is much more of a test of endurance than a game of chance. After all, you have no way of going to the bathroom until you finish your beers.

#3 – Flip Cup

Flip Cup works in a pinch if you don’t have the room, or the balls, to play Beer Pong. Think of it as the Beer Olympics relay race. Instead of passing a baton you have to drink a beer and flip a Red Cup. The first team to finish is hailed as champions and the losing team, well… nobody cares about the losing team.

#4 – Kings

Also known as King’s Cup, Circle of Death, Ring of Fire or Waterfall, this simple card game is one of the most social drinking games on the list. Each card represents an action or activity that the person drawing it, or the whole group, has to perform. There are no winners or losers in Kings, just a whole lot of drinking and good times.

#5 – Power Hour

Not unlike Edward 40 Hands, Power Hour is not really a game, per se, it’s more of a test of stamina and endurance. Although it may sound easy – take one shot of beer every minute for 60 minutes – it is a lot harder than it sounds. After you have mastered Power Hour you can move on to the tougher Century Club. It’s the same game, but it is now one shot per minute for 100 minutes.

#6 – Quarters

Perfect for college students that need to save a bit of money, this game only costs a quarter. Well, only requires a quarter. You still need to buy your own beer. Although the game is simple – you bounce a quarter off of a table and try to get it into a glass – it does take some skill. Usually, the worst player at the table will end up drinking the most.

Bonus Drinking Games

Here are two of my absolute favorite drinking games of all time:

Three Man

Three Man is by far the fastest way to get a night going. This simple dice game should be played fast and furious, and usually one round at being Three Man is all it will take.

The premise is simple; each person takes a roll at the dice. The first to roll a 1 and a 2 is designated Three Man, from that point forward anytime a 3 comes up the Three Man has to take a drink.

Here are the other rules:

• If the dice total 7 (4 & 3, 5 & 2, 6 & 1) – The player to right of roller drinks
• If the dice total 11 (5 & 6) – The player to left of roller drinks
• If the dice total 9 (5 & 4, 6 & 3) – Sociable (Everyone Drinks)
• If any 3 turns up – Three man drinks
• Doubles – Each number represents 1 drink to give away. e.g. two 4′s equals 8 drinks
• Three Doubles in a Row – Make a rule
• Snake Eyes (1 & 1) – Roll Your Own Destiny (The player who rolled the Snake Eyes must roll one die and drink the corresponding number of drinks. If another 1 turns up, the player must then roll both dice and drink the corresponding number of drinks)

There are only two ways to get out of being Three Man. The first is if someone else rolls a 1 and a 2, then they become the new Three Man. The second, more devious way, is if Three Man rolls a 1 and a 2, then they get to designate who becomes the new Three Man. Remember that person who get giving you all their doubles? Well it’s payback time!

Battle Shots

Remember that Battleship game you loved playing when you were a kid? Well now it’s all growns-up, and instead of annihilating your opponent’s battleship, you are the one getting annihilated.

It should go without saying that here at BarWhiz we do not condone under-aged or irresponsible drinking in any manner. Remember, responsible drinking does not mean you can’t still have fun, so wait until you’re 21 and in the meantime practice your quarter and ping-pong ball tosses.

Author: Corey Rozon

There are many different types of games that bar patrons like to indulge in. This is all part of an enjoyable atmosphere, and it lets people socialize and pass the time in a relaxing manner.

Our list has both games that are offered by the bar, and also some funny creative games you can play anywhere, anytime.

Also check out the most popular college drinking games for some awesome drinking games to play.

The following are just some of the top bar games that are available for people to enjoy during a night out on the town.

1. Pool / Billiard

Shooting a friendly game of “stick” is extremely popular in bars. The most common form is 8-ball (also called solids and stripes), which has a smaller table and larger pockets compared to billiards. Billiard tables are rare in bars unless you happen to be in a “pool hall” (an establishment that has many pool tables and may or may not be licensed).

8-ball involves sinking all or your balls followed by the black ball (the “8 ball”). If the black ball is sunk before all your balls are down then you have “scratched” and lost the game. The rules of the game are location dependent, and sometimes a bar may have its own rule variations known as “house rules”.

2. Darts

Darts. A common form of bar entertainment is a friendly game of darts, where darts are thrown at a circular target called a dart board.

There are many different types of dart games that can be played. Some of the more popular ones are 501, 301 and Round the Clock.

Dart leagues are common, with organized teams competing during a designated dart night.

3. Ping Beer Pong

• You will need two card tables, ping pong paddles, ping pong balls and beer.

• Set up the tables on opposite sides of a room with no carpet! The farther back from one another they are the more fun you may – or may not – have! On each table place a cup of beer – or a small bowl with beer in it.

• Here comes the fun – and I think you know what it is! Each player takes a turn using their ping pong paddle to hit the ball to the other table – in hopes of making a splash. If the player misses then he or she must take a drink from their own beer. If they get the ball into the beer, then the opponent has one shot to get their ball into your beer – if they miss – they must drink the cup/bowl of beer. Or – make your own rules up as you go along!

4. Trivial in Pursuit of Beer

• With this game you will need Trivial Pursuit, at least two players, but the more the better and of course, beer.

• Start playing the game as you normally would but – every time a person gets an answer wrong they must chug-a-lug. (Or in the event of playing teams, then the team must chug-a-lug). Now, if you know your players take a while to play this game you may want to modify the chug-a-lugs to a gulp otherwise the game may never end!

5. Touchscreen / Counter-top Video Games

These games are quite popular, and involve a vertical touchscreen or horizontal countertop controls.

Examples of touchscreen/countertop video games are Bingo, Hi-Lo Cards, Skint or Mint, Lucky Keys, Take your Pick and Race Night.

6. I Sunk My… Battleship?

• Fill a deep punch bowl or wide-mouthed pitcher with beer. Also, every player will require a glass of beer.

• Float an extra glass in the beer in the bowl or pitcher – be sure to add some beer in it to stabilize it (so it floats).

• Every player takes a turn pouring some beer into the floating glass (usually this is best to establish a pre-measured amount such as one or two tablespoons. Wait at least 5 seconds after pouring before another player takes a turn.

• Whoever sinks the glass must retrieve it and drink it until it is empty. Then start again!

7. Trivia Games

Many bars offer a trivia game that is played using a hand-held computer. Players answer a trivia question, with questions that cover everything from science, music, nature, history and much more. Points are awarded for a correct answer, and the speed by which answers are given is also taken into account.

Bars often have a special trivia night, and organized teams are also very common. During organized events prizes are often awarded for the highest scores.

8. Shuffleboard

While not as popular as it used to be, table shuffleboard can still be found in some bars and pubs. Table shuffleboard is a game where players slide weighted “pucks” (also called weights) down a wooden table top. The aim is to get as many pucks as possible into the scoring area at the end of the table, while knocking your opponent’s pucks off the table.

9. Pinball

While pinball machines are not as popular as they used to be they can still be found in some pubs and bars. The objective is basic: keep your ball in play for as long as possible, and score as many points as possible. If you score high enough you will be awarded a free game.

There are many different types of games that can be played in your favorite pub or bar. Many of these games can be played with teams or against opponents, providing hours of fun and social time!