Calling all partygoers! Gather your best buds and get ready for a wild and hilarious night with the legendary Quarters drinking game. Buckle up for a raucous journey filled with laughter, strategy, and a whole lot of quarters. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a complete newbie, this comprehensive guide will equip you with the essential rules, variations, and tips to conquer the realm of Quarters.
The premise is deceptively simple: flip a quarter into a red Solo cup, and the player who lands it in wins the round. But don’t be fooled! As the game progresses, the rules evolve, adding layers of complexity and hilarious consequences. Players must keep their wits sharp, strategize their flips, and avoid the dreaded “waterfall,” where they must keep drinking until their cup is empty. The result is a non-stop rollercoaster of cheers, laughter, and the occasional groan.
The versatility of Quarters allows for endless customization. From the basic “quarters” mode to wild variations like “King’s Cup” or “Flip Cup,” there’s a version to suit every crowd. Whether you prefer a casual game with a few friends or an epic tournament with a full-blown party, Quarters has got you covered. So, grab a handful of quarters, some drinks, and get ready to experience the ultimate party game that will leave you with unforgettable memories (and a few sore heads in the morning).
Gather the Essentials
To play Quarters, you’ll need a few essential items:
Quarters
You’ll need a handful of quarters. The exact number depends on the number of players, but a good rule of thumb is to have at least 10 quarters per player.
Glasses or Cups
You’ll also need some glasses or cups. One glass is for each player, plus one extra for the “penalty” cup. The penalty cup is where players who lose a round will have to drink.
Table or Surface
You’ll need a table or other flat surface to play on. The surface should be big enough so that all of the players can comfortably reach the cups.
Additional Items
There are a few other items that can be helpful for playing Quarters. These include:
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Coasters | Coasters can help protect your table from spills. |
| Napkins | Napkins can be used to wipe up spills or to clean your hands. |
| Music | Music can help to set the mood for the game. |
Set Up the Court
To prepare the court for a game of Quarters, you’ll need a table and two opposing sides of players. The center of the table should be cleared of any obstacles and should be large enough to accommodate the playing area.
Playing Surface
The playing surface is the area where the quarters will be bounced and flicked. It should be smooth and flat, such as a wooden or glass table. Avoid using tables with bumps or uneven surfaces, as this can make it difficult to control the quarters.
Court Dimensions
The standard court dimensions for Quarters are 36 inches long by 24 inches wide. This provides ample space for players to move around and flick quarters without bumping into each other. If you’re using a smaller or larger table, adjust the court dimensions accordingly to maintain a similar ratio.
Court Boundaries
The court is divided into two sections by a line drawn down the center. Each section represents the territory of one of the opposing sides. The boundaries of the court should be clearly marked with tape or a marker to avoid disputes.
| Width | 24 inches |
|---|---|
| Length | 36 inches |
Determine the Quarters
The first step in playing quarters is to gather your equipment. You will need a quarter for each player, a shot glass or other small glass, and a table or other flat surface. If you are playing with a large group of people, you may want to use multiple shot glasses or other small glasses.
Once you have your equipment, you need to determine which quarters will be used in the game. You can do this by flipping a coin or by drawing straws. The player who wins the coin flip or who draws the longest straw chooses the quarters that will be used in the game.
The quarters that you choose can have a significant impact on the game. Quarters with tails on them are more likely to land on the table, while quarters with heads on them are more likely to land in the shot glass or other small glass. If you are playing with a group of people who are new to the game, you may want to use quarters with tails on them to make the game more challenging.
| Quarter | Probability of Landing on the Table | Probability of Landing in the Shot Glass |
|---|---|---|
| Tails | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Heads | 0.25 | 0.75 |
Once you have chosen the quarters that will be used in the game, you are ready to start playing.
Establish the Drinking Rules
Now it’s time to establish the drinking rules, which determine how much and when players will drink. Remember, these rules should be flexible and tailored to suit your group’s preferences.
Rule #1: Bouncing a Quarter into a Cup
If you bounce a quarter into your own cup, you drink as much as you bounced. For instance, if it bounces twice, you drink two sips. Keep in mind, elbows should be off the table, and you can’t bank shots off other cups.
Rule #2: Missing the Cup
If you miss the cup entirely, you’re safe for now. However, you’ll need to retrieve the quarter before anyone else does. If someone else gets to it first, they can choose to make you drink twice what you missed or bounce it into your cup themselves.
Rule #3: Bouncing a Quarter into Someone Else’s Cup
If you’re feeling bold, you can try bouncing the quarter into someone else’s cup. If successful, they must drink double the amount you bounced. But be cautious, if you miss, they get to bounce it back into your cup with the same penalty.
Rule #4: Quarters in the Penalty Box
| Quarters in Penalty Box | Drink |
|---|---|
| 1 | 2 drinks |
| 2 | 3 drinks |
| 3 | 4 drinks |
| 4 | 5 drinks |
| 5 | 6 drinks |
If a player violates a rule or bounces a quarter into the penalty box, they must put that quarter in the penalty box. When there are five quarters in the penalty box, all players must drink the corresponding number of drinks listed in the table above.
Decide on Variants
There are numerous variations of Quarters, each with its own rules and nuances. Here are some widely played variants:
Ball Busters
In this variant, players take turns shooting quarterbacks until one player accumulates 25 or 50 points (depending on the number of players). If a player misses three shots in a row, they receive a “warning”; a fourth consecutive miss results in a “buster” and they must take a drink.
Straight Quarters
This is the most basic variant of Quarters. Players simply shoot quarterbacks one at a time, and the first player to make a successful shot eliminates an opponent’s quarterback. Once all but one player has been eliminated, the last player with a quarterback wins.
Bounce-Back Quarters
Similar to Straight Quarters, this variant involves shooting quarterbacks until only one player remains. However, in Bounce-Back Quarters, the quarterback that bounces back after being knocked over can be shot again by the previous player. This adds an element of strategy and unpredictable bounces.
Flop Quarters
In Flop Quarters, players shoot quarterbacks until one player has “flopped” (knocked over) all 10 of their quarterbacks. Unlike Straight Quarters, the game continues even after a player has flopped all their quarterbacks. Flopped quarterbacks are placed in the center of the table, and any player who “makes a flop” (knocks over a flopped quarterback) must take a drink.
Bumpers
This variant adds an additional layer of difficulty to the game. Players shoot quarterbacks as usual, but if a quarterback “bumps” (touches another quarterback) while being knocked over, the player who shot it must take a drink.
Start the Game
To start the game, you’ll need a quarter for each player and a drinking glass. One player flips the quarter, and the player to their left calls “heads” or “tails”. If the player guesses correctly, they keep the quarter. If they guess incorrectly, they have to take a drink.
The game continues around the circle, with each player taking turns flipping the quarter and calling “heads” or “tails”.
There are a few variations on the rules of quarters. In some versions, players can only call “heads” or “tails” once per round. In other versions, players can call “heads” or “tails” as many times as they want, but they have to keep drinking until they guess correctly.
Quarters is a simple game to learn, but it can be a lot of fun. It’s a great way to get to know new people or just have a good time with friends.
Here are some additional tips for playing quarters:
- If you’re not sure whether you called “heads” or “tails”, you can always ask the person who flipped the quarter.
- If you’re playing with a large group of people, you can use multiple quarters to keep the game moving.
- If you’re playing with a group of people who are new to the game, you can start out with a lower number of drinks. As people get more comfortable with the game, you can increase the number of drinks.
Table of Common Quarter Rules:
| Rule | Description |
|---|---|
| Heads or Tails | Players take turns flipping a quarter and calling “heads” or “tails”. If they guess correctly, they keep the quarter. If they guess incorrectly, they have to drink. |
| Two Quarters | Players use two quarters instead of one. This makes the game more challenging and can lead to more drinking. |
| Waterfall | When a player guesses incorrectly, they must keep drinking until the person to their left guesses correctly. |
| Kings Cup | Players use a deck of cards to determine who has to drink. For example, if the card drawn is a king, the player who drew the card must drink. |
Gameplay Progression
Once the game starts, the following progression of gameplay occurs:
1. Quarters
The first player flicks a quarter into the air and attempts to land it into the glass. If successful, the opponent drinks.
2. Bounce Quarters
Similar to regular quarters, but the quarter must bounce before landing in the glass. The player may bounce the quarter off the table or their hand.
3. Wall Quarters
The player throws the quarter against the wall and then attempts to land it into the glass. The quarter can touch any part of the table before landing.
4. Trick Quarters
The player can invent their own trick shot and attempt to make it. If successful, the opponent drinks. Any trick shot that lands a quarter into the glass is acceptable.
5. Waterfall
All players begin drinking at the same time. The last player to stop drinking must drink the remaining beer in the glass.
6. Quarters Waterfall
A combination of quarters and waterfall. The player lands a quarter in the glass, and then all players start drinking. The last player to stop drinking must drink the remaining beer.
7. King’s Cup
A special case that occurs when a player successfully lands three quarters into the glass in a row. The player then pours their remaining beer into the King’s Cup, which is placed in the center of the table. When a player lands the fourth quarter in a row, they must drink the King’s Cup. The King’s Cup can also be used as a forfeit for various infractions or as punishment for the loser of the game.
| Quarter | Description |
|---|---|
| Regular Quarters | Attempts to land a quarter into the glass after flicking it into the air. |
| Bounce Quarters | Attempts to land a quarter into the glass after bouncing it off the table or hand. |
| Wall Quarters | Attempts to land a quarter into the glass after throwing it against the wall. |
| Trick Quarters | Attempts to land a quarter into the glass using a trick shot of their own invention. |
| Waterfall | All players begin drinking at the same time, and the last player to stop drinking must finish the remaining beer in the glass. |
| Quarters Waterfall | A player lands a quarter in the glass, and then all players start drinking. The last player to stop drinking must finish the remaining beer. |
| King’s Cup | A special case that occurs when a player lands three quarters in a row. They then pour their beer into the King’s Cup, which is placed in the center of the table. The fourth quarter in a row requires the player to drink the King’s Cup. |
Advanced Techniques
Teetotaller:
If a player is not drinking, they must announce “I’m a teetotaler” before the game starts. They are not allowed to drink for the rest of the game.
Waterfall:
All players must drink simultaneously until the person to their left stops drinking. The last person to stop drinking gets a penalty.
Power Hour:
For the next hour, all players must drink every time any player drinks.
King’s Cup:
A special cup is designated as the “King’s Cup”. The first person to get a ball in the King’s Cup must drink it and make a rule for the rest of the game.
Quarters:
Players can stack quarters on the edge of the table. If a player knocks over a stack of quarters, they must drink all the quarters in the stack.
Conversation Starters:
Players can use the questions on the Quarters app to start conversations. Players can also come up with their own questions.
Cash Out:
Players can pay $1 to “cash out” of the game. They are excused from drinking for the rest of the game.
Shot Clock:
Players must drink their drink within a certain amount of time (usually 10 seconds). If they do not finish their drink in time, they get a penalty.
Handle Quarters Gracefully
Quarters is a drinking game that involves quarters. The goal of the game is to get rid of all of your quarters by flipping them into a cup. Players take turns flipping quarters into the cup. If a player misses the cup, they must drink a drink.
There are a few different ways to flip quarters. The most common way is to hold the quarter between your thumb and forefinger and flick it towards the cup. You can also flip quarters by bouncing them off of your knuckles or by hitting them with another quarter.
Choose the Right Cup
The size and shape of the cup you use will affect how difficult the game is. A smaller cup will be more difficult to flip quarters into, but it will also hold less beer. A larger cup will be easier to flip quarters into, but it will also hold more beer.
Diagonal is Easier
When flipping quarters, try to flip them diagonally into the cup. This will give you a better chance of making the cup.
Practice Makes Perfect
The best way to improve your quarters skills is to practice. The more you practice, the better you will become at flipping quarters into the cup.
Additional Tips for Flipping Quarters
Here are a few additional tips for flipping quarters:
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Use a consistent technique | Don’t change your flipping technique from turn to turn. This will help you develop muscle memory and improve your accuracy. |
| Keep your eyes on the cup | Don’t look at your hand when flipping quarters. Keep your eyes on the cup so that you can judge the distance and angle of your shot. |
| Don’t be afraid to adjust your technique | If you’re not having success with your current flipping technique, don’t be afraid to experiment with different techniques until you find one that works for you. |
End the Game and Choose a Winner
The Quarters Drinking Game is traditionally played until all the quarters have been eliminated. However, you can also pre-determine the end of the game based on time duration or point, but the outcome is same, you have to take the final sip at the bottom of the cup.
Once the game is over, the players who have been eliminated (either by drinking the most quarters or by holding onto the last quarter) are known as the “losers.” The losers must then perform a punishment, which can be anything from drinking a large amount of alcohol to doing a silly dance.
The winner of the Quarters Drinking Game is the player who has eliminated the most quarters without being eliminated themselves. The winner is often given a prize, such as a free drink or a round of applause.
Here is a table summarizing the possible outcomes of the Quarters Drinking Game:
| Outcome | Punishment |
|---|---|
| Player eliminates the most quarters | No punishment |
| Player drinks the most quarters | Must do a punishment |
| Player holds onto the last quarter | Must do a punishment |
How to Play Quarters Drinking Game
Quarters is a fun and exciting drinking game that can be played with a group of friends. The game is simple to play, but it can get very competitive. To play Quarters, you will need a table, a quarter, and a cup of beer for each player.
The goal of Quarters is to be the first player to get rid of all of their quarters. To do this, you must bounce a quarter into a cup of beer. If you make the shot, you give a quarter to another player. If you miss the shot, you take a drink. The game continues until one player has gotten rid of all of their quarters.
Tips for Playing Quarters
- Hold the quarter between your thumb and forefinger.
- Flick the quarter with your wrist.
- Aim for the center of the cup.
- Practice makes perfect!
Variations of Quarters
There are many different variations of Quarters. Some common variations include:
- Kings Cup: This variation of Quarters is played with a deck of cards. Each card has a different rule associated with it. For example, if you draw the Ace of Spades, you have to give a quarter to the player to your left.
- quarters on fingers: This variation of Quarters is played with quarters on your fingers. The goal of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all of the quarters on your fingers.
- quarters in mouth: This variation of Quarters is played with quarters in your mouth. The goal of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all of the quarters in your mouth.
People also ask about How to Play Quarters Drinking Game
How many people can play Quarters?
Quarters can be played with any number of people, but it is typically played with 4-6 players.
What kind of beer is best for Quarters?
Any kind of beer can be used for Quarters, but light beer is typically preferred because it is easier to drink.
Can you play Quarters with other coins?
Yes, you can play Quarters with other coins, but quarters are typically preferred because they are the most common coin.
