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Guides for a better game night
The practical side of drinking games: how to plan and host a game night, what all the terms mean, how to play any game without alcohol, and how to set up beer pong properly. Every guide links to games you can play right away.
All guides
Pick a guide; each one ends with games to play.
- How to host a game night Timeline, shopping list, game plan and house rules.
- Drinking game terms explained Waterfall, social, re-rack, island and 36 more.
- Playing without alcohol Swaps, points, forfeits and the best games to play sober.
- Beer pong table guide Regulation size, folding tables, cups, balls and a planner.
- Beer pong variations Giant, pool, prosecco, mini, water pong and more.
- Buzzed drinking game How the Buzzed card game works, plus a free online deck.
Where to start
- Hosting for the first time? Read how to host a drinking game night: a timeline, a shopping list and the house rules that keep it fun.
- Someone shouted “waterfall!” and you froze? The drinking game terms glossary explains 40 of them.
- Friends who don’t drink? Drinking games without alcohol shows how to play every game sober, with a forfeit wheel.
- Buying or building a beer pong table? The beer pong table guide covers regulation size, cups, balls and a party planner.
How we write our guides
Every guide is written and checked by the Free Drinking Games team, following our editorial guidelines: rules come from how games are really played (and the official sources where they exist), safety advice comes from public health sources, and nothing on this site asks anyone to drink fast or drink a lot. See also drink responsibly.
Guides and articles: FAQ
Where do I start if I’m hosting a drinking game night?
Read the hosting guide for a timeline and shopping list, pick 3–4 games (the game picker on the home page helps) and put water on every table before the first game.
Can every game on this site be played without alcohol?
Yes. Every game has an Any drink and a No alcohol mode, and the guide to playing without alcohol has forfeits and swaps.