Ready to embrace the chaos and become the ultimate Asshole? If you’re nodding along with a gleam in your eye, chances are you’ve stumbled upon a drinking game legend – the Asshole Drinking Game. This isn’t just any card game; it’s a social experience, a test of cunning, and a guaranteed recipe for laughter (and possibly a slight headache the next morning). It’s a game where strategy, a bit of luck, and a healthy dose of competitive spirit collide, all while fueled by the nectar of your choice.
We’re diving deep into this iconic game, providing you with a comprehensive guide to mastering the rules, understanding the nuances, and ultimately, ascending to the throne of Asshole supremacy. Forget the boring nights in – get ready to shuffle, strategize, and celebrate with your friends.
The Essentials: What You’ll Need to Conquer the Asshole Drinking Game
Before you even think about taking your position at the table, you need to gather your forces. Fortunately, the requirements for an epic Asshole session are refreshingly simple.
First and foremost, you’ll need a standard deck of playing cards. Forget those novelty decks with superheroes or glitter – you need the classic 52-card arrangement to get started.
Next, you need your comrades. The Asshole Drinking Game thrives on a social dynamic. While you *could* technically play with just two people, the fun truly multiplies as you add more players. Ideally, you’ll want a group of at least four, with a comfortable maximum around eight. Any more than that and things might become a bit slow (and potentially confusing).
Of course, no Asshole game is complete without the refreshments. This is where the personal touch comes in. Choose your poison! From ice-cold beers to vibrant cocktails, the choice is yours. Just remember to pace yourselves and drink responsibly. We’ll circle back to that vital point later.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you need a good dose of competitive spirit and a willingness to embrace the absurdity of it all. Prepare for trash talk, strategic alliances, and the sheer unpredictability that makes this game so much fun.
Dealing the Cards: Setting the Stage for Mayhem
Once you have your materials and your eager players gathered, it’s time to get the ball rolling. The way you deal the cards sets the stage for the entire game, and the initial positions can determine who gets the upper hand.
The dealer should shuffle the deck thoroughly to ensure randomness. Then, the dealer begins dealing cards to each player. Generally, each player is dealt the same number of cards. The most common is dealing the same amount of cards to each person. If, for example, you have six players, you deal everyone 6 cards.
Once everyone has their hands, it’s time to determine the initial positions. In the first round, these positions will often be determined at random. You could deal a card to each player, and the player with the highest card becomes the President. The player with the second-highest card becomes the Vice President, and so on down the line. Alternatively, you might just shout out random positions, which tends to work as well.
Once positions are assigned, it’s time for a quick trade. The President, at the beginning of each round, gets to choose the best card from their hand to give to the Asshole. In exchange, the Asshole must hand over their best card. This simple trade sets the tone for the entire game: the President gets a boost at the beginning of the game and the Asshole has to work with what they have.
Playing the Game: Rounds and Reactions
Now that the stage is set, the game itself begins. Asshole is a strategic game where you need to plan for the best opportunities to win.
The player positioned as the Asshole always starts the game in the first round. They can lay down any card or combination of cards they choose. From there, the person to the left of the first player follows. Players must then play cards of the same value (or cards that follow the game’s special rules, explained later).
The ultimate goal is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards, in which case, you’re a winner. The person who goes out first is crowned the President for the next round.
The game continues around the table until a player plays cards that have the same value, like three sevens. This creates a “pile” of cards. The player who played the matching cards determines when to “clear” the pile. This is a crucial part of the gameplay that can alter who wins. The person who clears the pile, takes the turn by playing any card, just like the start of the round.
Special cards will make the game unpredictable. Here’s where things get interesting. The special cards change the game by having specific actions and reactions.
The Power of the Cards: Special Actions and Game-Changing Moves
Every card has its value, but some cards are special in the Asshole Drinking Game, which can drastically alter the flow and strategy. Learning these special cards is a critical step to victory.
Twos
The humble Two is a game-changer. When a player lays down a Two, they instantly clear the pile, regardless of what cards are currently on top. This can be a strategic move to get rid of an unwanted pile, or a tactical defense if someone tries to create a large and scary pile.
Fours
The four can act as a pass. If a player places a Four, the turn passes on to the next player, skipping over the player who placed the Four. This is a sneaky way to stall the game or let the card in the pile stay for another turn.
Tens
The ten is the equivalent to the Two. When a ten is played, the pile immediately gets cleared. This works the same as the Two.
In some variations of the game, the following cards are used:
Three
It’s the lowest card of the game and can be useful to clear a round, but isn’t used for much else.
The Order of the Ranks: Defining Your Place
After each round, the positions are determined based on who went out first to last. The first person to get rid of all their cards takes the role of President. The person with the second cards is the Vice President, then the next best person is a citizen, and the next person is the Asshole.
Embracing the Consequences: Drinking Responsibly
The drinking aspect of the Asshole Drinking Game is the heart of the fun. It’s what makes it a social experience and creates many memorable moments. The roles you hold at the end of each round determine the consequences and the drinking tasks you’re assigned.
The roles are very important:
The Asshole
This is the bottom-rung position. They typically have to perform the most undesirable tasks, like refilling everyone’s drinks, or even cleaning up the playing area. The ultimate punishment? They also must drink. They might have to take multiple shots throughout the game.
The President
The President is at the top of the hierarchy. The President will have all the best privileges. They could skip cleaning, demand that their shots are made for them, or can demand that others perform any act the see fit. The President gets to enjoy the game by having the best advantages.
The Vice President
The VP sits in second place. They also get to enjoy some good privileges. They can avoid some tasks, and they get to work together with the President.
Citizen
These people have the role of just playing the game. They don’t have any privileges, and they have to take on the drinking consequences as the game goes on.
Building Your Strategy: Tips for Asshole Domination
Winning the Asshole Drinking Game isn’t *just* about luck; it’s also about strategy. These tips will help you get a leg up on the competition.
First, pay attention to the cards that have already been played. This will help you deduce what cards are still in play, and what your opponents might be holding.
Next, play the cards strategically. You can hold onto your high-value cards to go out first, or you can play them early to mess with your opponents. It’s all a gamble to the best approach.
Also, use bluffs and deception. Sometimes, you might have to pretend to have a weak hand.
Finally, adjust your strategy. If you’re playing with many people, it’s best to take advantage of that.
Adding Flavor: Variations and House Rules
While the rules outlined above form the foundation of the Asshole Drinking Game, the true beauty lies in its adaptability. Every friend group has its own unique quirks and sense of humor, and this game encourages you to personalize the experience.
Make the Game Personal
Creating new drinking consequences and making them funny will help you feel more connected to the game.
Prioritizing Safety and Good Times
The most important rule of the Asshole Drinking Game – perhaps *the* most important rule of all drinking games – is to prioritize safety and responsible behavior.
Conclusion: Embrace the Chaos
So, there you have it – a comprehensive guide to the Asshole Drinking Game. Now go forth, shuffle those cards, and embrace the hilarious chaos that awaits.
Remember, the key to a great game of Asshole is camaraderie, a competitive spirit, and responsible fun. Now, go forth and may the best (and tipsiest) player win!