Welcome to our comprehensive guide on the Quarters drinking game rules! Quarters is a popular drinking game that can be enjoyed by friends at parties or gatherings. The essence of Quarters lies in its simplicity. The game requires players to bounce a quarter off of the table in an attempt to have it land, within a cup of beer or whichever alcoholic drink is being used.
In this guide, I will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to play this exciting game, including the setup, gameplay, and some variations to keep things interesting.
So, grab your quarters, gather your friends, and let’s dive into the rules of the Quarters drinking game!
What is Quarters Rules?
Quarters is a classic, fast-paced, and exciting drinking game that brings an element of skill into the mix. Known for its simplicity and the joy it brings to social gatherings, it’s a game that’s enjoyed at parties, get-togethers, and casual hangouts. However, to fully enjoy the game and ensure fairness, everyone needs to be familiar with the quarter’s rules.
Basic Quarters Rules
The Objective of the Game
The objective of the game is to land the quarter in the cup by bouncing it off of the table. If a player makes the shot, they choose another player to consume the drink. Every player gets a chance to put a quarter in a glass and then decides who will drink. Quarters has numerous variations, but here, we’ll delve into the fundamental rules of the Quarters drinking game.
How to Set Up the Game and Necessary Equipment
All you need is a:
- A minimum of two players
- Quarters
- Shot Glass
- Smooth Table for bouncing quarters
Setting up is straightforward. Participants either sit or stand encircling the table, depending on the number of players. The glass is centrally placed on the table, 10 inches distant from each participant. Everyone is assigned a cup, which they can fill with an alcoholic beverage of their preference. In most cases, beer is the preferred choice over hard liquor.
Rules for Standard game
Below are the basic rules for quarters fun drinking game.
- Place a cup filled with beer or a shot of liquor at the center of the table. This serves as the “penalty drink.”
- Two players seated opposite each other are assigned two quarters and two target cups. You can use any available cups as target cups, but bear in mind that the difficulty of the shots increases as the cups get smaller.
- Upon a neutral individual’s signal to commence, players will attempt to bounce the quarters into their respective target cups. Successful shots lead to the cup being passed to the next player in a clockwise direction.
- The quarters must bounce on their faces, not on their edges. Moreover, each shot must bounce at least once to be counted as valid.
Step-by-step Guide On How To Play Quarters Game
Players take turns trying to bounce the quarter off the table and into the cup. If the quarter lands in the cup, the player can choose anyone else to drink. The game continues until players decide to stop. Detailed gameplay is given below.
Setting Up the Game: You will need a standard cup, alcohol of your choice, glasses for the beverage, a table, and a quarter. Participants gather around the table, either standing or seated. Position the cup, often referred to as the ‘milk glass’, in the center of the table.
Initiate the Turns: They take turns, following a counterclockwise motion around the table. They aim to ricochet the quarter off the table into the milk glass positioned in the center.
Leveraging the ‘Chance’ Option: In the event of a missed shot, the shooter passes the quarter to the next player. However, a shooter may opt for a ‘chance’, which grants them a second shot. To claim a chance, the shooter simply needs to voice ‘chance’ after a missed attempt.
Create Your Own Rules: One of the appealing aspects of quarters is its replayability. If a shooter successfully lands three consecutive shots, they earn the right to create a rule. These should be inventive and enjoyable. Breaking any of these established rules requires the offender to drink the penalty beverage.
The aim of the game isn’t to be rigid but to ensure everyone is enjoying themselves.
Some possible spontaneous rules might include banning the word ‘drink’, requiring a sip before each shot, and avoiding the use of proper names, among others.
Challenging the Shooter: If a shooter strikes the top rim of the glass but doesn’t make the shot, they can be challenged by other players. If the shooter misses again, they must drink for each challenger. However, if they make it, all challengers must drink.
Ending the Game: A player is removed from the game when they can’t or don’t want to drink any more alcohol.
Alternative Quarters Rules and Variations
Quarters is a game so diverse that it boasts as many regional variations as there are coins in a vault.
If you’ve had the opportunity to play before, chances are you’ve stumbled upon a unique twist on the conventional rules.
One of the highlights of playing Quarters is the possibility of incorporating different “house rules”. As such, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most interesting and prevalent alterations to this traditional game.
You’re welcome to adopt any number of these modifications, tailoring the game to your preference. Some popular variations include:
Around the World: In this variation, several cups are placed around the table. Players must make the coin land in each cup, moving in sequence.
Rapid Fire: This fast-paced variation involves two players shooting quarters at the same time. The player who lands the quarter in the cup first chooses who drinks.
One Cup Rule: The one-cup rule is ideally suited for smaller groups or gatherings that enjoy a more leisurely pace without a competitive edge. In this variant, only one quarter and one goal cup are in play at a given time. Players take turns shooting; successful shots result in passing the play to the left.
Three in a Row Rule: The “three in a row” rule is among the most recognized Quarters rules. Should a player manage to make three consecutive shots without a miss, they earn the privilege of instituting a rule.
When a player violates the new rule, they must take a drink. Each freshly minted rule replaces an old one. Rules should not be outlandish or humiliating, but rather ingenious and entertaining.
The Challenge Rule: In the event of a “near miss” shot that bounces off the glass rim or falls out of the cup, other players are allowed to challenge the shot. The player who has been challenged has the option to disregard the challenge and proceed with their turn, or they can accept the challenge and retake their shot. If the reattempted shot succeeds, all the challengers must take a drink.
Ice Tray Quarters: This variant of Quarters eliminates the need for any cup. Instead, you simply utilize an ice tray (devoid of ice) and fill the compartments with alcohol. Players alternate turns, aiming to bounce the quarter into the empty sections. If the quarter lands in a filled compartment, the successful player can designate another player to drink from that slot. Otherwise, the turn passes to the next player on the left.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you play Quarters with only 2 players?
Quarters can easily be adapted for two players. Players take turns, and the gameplay remains the same.
Is there a Mexican Quarters game?
Yes, there’s a game similar to Quarters in Mexico known as “Tocho Morocho.”
Can you use anything else but coins?
While quarters are traditional, any small, flat object can be used.
Wrapping Up
Quarters is a timeless game, a staple of many social events. It’s easy to learn, exciting to play, and adaptable to large or small groups. With this guide, you’ll be ready to join in or host your own game of Quarters at your next gathering. Now that you know the rules, remember the most important rule of all – always play responsibly.