Chinese drinking games are a fun and interactive way to engage with friends and family during social gatherings. These games involve a mix of strategy, skill, and chance, often incorporating traditional Chinese elements like hand gestures, dice rolls, and card games. Some popular games include rock-paper-scissors challenges, dice games where the outcome determines how much to drink, and language-based games like truth or dare. Others involve physical actions, such as passing toothpicks or blowing cards, which add a fun, active element to the drinking experience. Whether you’re shaking dice, guessing toothpicks, or trying to keep a straight face during a dare, these games ensure a lively atmosphere and encourage interaction among participants. Perfect for creating lasting memories and laughter, these games are an essential part of Chinese social drinking culture.

Drinking games in China come in various fun and interactive forms, often involving different types of challenges, coordination, and team participation. Below are some classic drinking games that are commonly played at social gatherings:

1. Rock-Paper-Scissors Games

Guai Quan (划拳)

This is a popular game where two or more players simultaneously throw hand gestures (like rock, paper, or scissors). The winner can dictate that the loser must drink.

Rock-Paper-Scissors (剪刀、石头、布)

Another classic, the loser of the rock-paper-scissors game must drink. The game is widely known and easy to play, making it a common drinking activity.

2. Dice Games

Qi Ba Jiu (七八九)

In this game, players take turns shaking two dice. Depending on the result, the amount of alcohol they need to drink is determined. For example, a roll of 7 means no drink but a glass of alcohol is added, 8 means drinking half a glass, and 9 means drinking a full glass.

Da Hua Se Zhong (大话色盅)

Each player has a small cup and dice. After shaking the dice, they call out a number, and the opponent may choose to open the cup to check the result. If the number is wrong, the person who made the call must drink.

Yao Di Lei (摇地雷)

This game requires three dice. If two of the dice show the same number, the third one is considered the “landmine.” If a player rolls a landmine, they must drink. Once the landmine is “set off,” the next player continues.

Jiu Jiu Gui Yi (九酒归一)

Players use nine glasses of alcohol, each numbered from 1 to 9. After shaking two dice, the total number determines which glass the player must drink from.

3. Language-Based Games

Truth or Dare (真心话大冒险)

One player is chosen by rock-paper-scissors or drawing cards. They must choose between answering a personal question (truth) or completing a challenging action (dare). Truth questions typically explore personal secrets, while dares add a fun challenge to the game.

Who Is Most Likely To (谁最有可能)

Players take turns asking, “Who is most likely to do [this]?” After a 5-second countdown, everyone points to the person they think is most likely to do the action. The person with the most votes drinks. The next round starts with the person who drank asking a new question.

Chameleon (变色龙)

Each player is dealt five cards. The first player plays a card, and the next player must match the suit or number. If they can’t match, they must drink.

Calm Down (沉住气)

Cards are dealt randomly. Players look at their cards, and the person to the left pours a drink. If the player thinks they have the lowest value, they shout “stop” and drink their glass. If no one shouts “stop,” the person with the lowest card drinks.

4. Action Games

Little Bee (小蜜蜂)

The phrase to start is “Two little bees, flying through the flowers.” Players play rock-paper-scissors, and the winner mimics slapping the loser’s face with a “slap” sound. The loser shakes their head and says “ah.” If both players choose the same hand, they must kiss, and make a “smack” sound. Anyone who messes up must drink.

Pass the Toothpick (传牙签)

Each player draws a card and sits in order. The goal is to pass a toothpick using only the mouth. If the toothpick falls, the player who dropped it must drink.

Suck the Star (吸星大法)

Players sit in a circle and pass a card by sucking it with their mouth. If the card falls, the player who lost must drink.

Tear the Paper (撕纸)

Players hold a strip of napkin in their mouths and tear it into pieces. If the napkin falls or gets too small, players must drink.

5. Other Fun Drinking Games

Dart Drinking Game (飞镖酒令)

Prepare a dartboard and some cups of alcohol. Players take turns throwing darts. For every successful hit, the player drinks the amount of alcohol corresponding to the number on the dartboard.

Fifteen Twenty (十五二十)

Two players face each other and extend their fingers. They call out a number (the sum of both players’ fingers must be 0, 5, 10, 15, or 20). The player who matches the sum with their fingers wins, and the loser must drink.

Double Glass Drinking (喝双杯)

One player starts by drinking half a glass of alcohol. After finishing, they place the glass upside down on the table and grab another glass from someone else, who must finish their remaining drink.

No Three No Four (不三不四)

One player rolls a dice, and the points determine who has to drink or how the game proceeds. If they roll a 1, they choose someone to drink; if they roll a 2, they challenge someone to a duel, and so on.

Judge’s Verdict (清官判案)

Each player rolls a dice, and one person acts as the “judge.” The judge calls out a number, and if anyone rolls that number, they drink. If no one matches the judge’s roll, the judge must drink.

Keep Rolling (一直摇)

Ten dice are used. Each player rolls the dice and calls out a number. If they roll the number, they pass it on to the next player. If they fail, they must keep drinking until they roll the chosen number. If they never roll it, they drink two glasses.

King’s Game (国王游戏)

A deck of cards is prepared, with one card marked “King” and others numbered. Players draw cards, and the person who draws the King can assign any task to others.

Guess the Toothpicks (猜牙签)

A player holds N toothpicks (where N is the number of players) in their hand. Others must guess how many toothpicks the player is holding.

Blow the Card (吹扑克)

A bottle of alcohol and a deck of cards are used. The card is placed on the bottle’s neck, and players take turns blowing on the card. The player who blows off the last card must drink.

Lucky A (幸运A)

This game involves 20 shuffled playing cards (10, J, Q, K, A). Players take turns flipping cards, and each type of card has a special rule, such as switching card order, adding alcohol, or making other players drink based on the card drawn.

Catch the Mouse (抓老鼠)

Everyone chants “Catch the mouse, catch the mouse!” and one person calls out a number (e.g., three). The next player can choose to say “caught it” or “gave up.” If “caught it,” they must act like a mouse, and the game continues. If anyone messes up, they must drink.

Do as You Say (手口不一)

All players chant “Say one thing, do another.” One person starts by clapping and showing a number with their hands, but they must say a different number. If anyone messes up, they must drink.

These classic Chinese drinking games bring energy, fun, and laughter to social gatherings. Each game has its own unique rules, offering plenty of ways to keep the party going!

Chinese Drinking Games in Shandong Province

In Shandong Province (山东省), drinking sessions are more than just indulging in drinks; they are enhanced by fun and interactive drinking games. These games offer a fantastic way to bond with friends and strangers alike. Here are some classic drinking games that are easy to pick up, perfect for beginners who want to join in on the fun while enjoying their drinks.

1. Alcoholic Interactive Games

◉ Rock, Paper, Scissors (Guessing Game)

How to Play:
Two participants play rock-paper-scissors while loudly calling out a number from “zero, one, two, three, four, five” (零、一、二、三、四、五) along with the corresponding gesture (e.g., a fist for zero, fingers for the other numbers). If the sum of the gestures matches the number called, the winner is determined, and the loser must drink.

Characteristics:
This simple game with a quick pace is a great choice for getting the party atmosphere going.

◉ Dice Game (Big Talk Dice – 大话骰)

How to Play:
Each player is given a dice cup with five dice. Players take turns guessing a combination of dice numbers, such as “three threes” (三个三), which means they believe they will roll at least three threes. The next player can either reveal the dice or call for a higher combination. If the guess is incorrect, the guesser drinks; if the guess is correct, the one revealing the dice drinks.

Characteristics:
This game not only tests psychological skills but also enhances judgment. It’s perfect for larger groups and adds an element of challenge and excitement to the drinking session.

◉ Three of a Kind (三中全会)

How to Play:
Players take turns rolling three dice, and the resulting combination decides how much to drink. For example, if three identical numbers appear (known as a “豹子” or “leopard” 豹子), the player must drink three shots. A consecutive sequence of numbers like 1, 2, 3 (known as “顺子” or “straight” 顺子) may allow the player to skip or drink one shot.

Characteristics:
This straightforward game relies on luck and is ideal for relaxed, fun gatherings.

◉ Flying Flowers Command (飞花令)

How to Play:
The host announces a key word, like “spring” (春), and participants must take turns saying a poem or idiom that includes the word. If someone cannot respond correctly or makes a mistake, they must drink.

Characteristics:
This game tests cultural knowledge while adding a refined atmosphere, making it perfect for those who enjoy a cultural touch to their drinking experience.

◉ Truth or Dare

How to Play:
A bottle is spun or another random method is used to choose a participant. The person must choose between “Truth” (回答隐私问题) or “Dare” (执行挑战任务). If they refuse to answer or fail to complete the task, they must drink.

Characteristics:
This game enhances interaction and adds fun, especially in informal gatherings where everyone is familiar and relaxed.

◉ Fifteen or Twenty (十五二十)

How to Play:
Two players shout “Fifteen or Twenty” (十五二十) and extend one hand with 0 to 5 fingers. If the sum of their fingers equals 15 or 20, the player wins, and the loser must drink.

Characteristics:
A quick-paced and easy-to-understand game, ideal for warming up a drinking session.

◉ Knock Seven (敲七)

How to Play:
Players take turns counting numbers, and when they encounter the number 7 or its multiples, they must replace it with “knock” (敲). If someone makes a mistake, they must drink.

Characteristics:
This game tests quick reflexes and is highly suitable for group play, adding extra fun to the drinking atmosphere.

◉ Bottle Spin (转瓶子)

How to Play:
Place an empty bottle (空瓶子) on the table, and everyone sits around it. Spin the bottle, and the person it points to must either drink or complete a designated task.

Characteristics:
This simple and random game is great for a fun, relaxed atmosphere where everyone enjoys themselves.

Tips for Participating in Drinking Games:

• Drink Responsibly: Always drink in moderation, especially if you’re a beginner.

• Participate Courteously: If you don’t want to drink, inform others beforehand or choose an alternative way to join in.

• Safety First: Ensure the atmosphere remains friendly and respectful, and avoid excessive drinking that could lead to arguments or problems.

These fun and lighthearted drinking games will help you easily blend into Shandong’s (山东) drinking culture while spending quality time with friends and colleagues. Enjoy your time, have fun, and drink responsibly!