Guide · Glossary · 40 terms
Drinking game terms, explained
Someone shouts “waterfall!”, “island!” or “social!” and everyone else already knows what to do. Here are 40 drinking game words and rules, what they mean, and which games they come from, so you’re never the one left guessing.
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Drinking game terms: quick rules
The ones you’ll hear most: a social means everyone drinks together; a waterfall means everyone drinks in a chain and can’t stop until the person before them does; heaven means the last to point up drinks; a re-rack rearranges beer pong cups; and a mate drinks whenever you drink.
General drinking game terms
| Term | What it means | Where you’ll hear it |
|---|---|---|
| Sip | One mouthful. On this site every “drink” means sips, never a whole drink. | Every game |
| Social | Everyone drinks together, usually after a toast. | Kings Cup, dice, decks |
| Waterfall | Everyone drinks in a chain; you can’t stop until the person before you stops. | Kings Cup |
| Heaven | Last person to point at the sky drinks. | Kings Cup, Drunk Jenga |
| Floor | Last person to touch the floor drinks. | Kings Cup |
| Thumb Master | When they put a thumb on the table, everyone copies; last to notice drinks. | Kings Cup |
| Question Master | Anyone who answers their question drinks. | Kings Cup |
| Mate | A player who drinks whenever you drink. | Kings Cup, decks |
| Rule | A new rule for the rest of the game (or a few rounds). | Kings Cup, decks, Jenga |
| Categories | Name things in a category in turn; first to freeze drinks. | Word games |
| Never have I ever | Say something you’ve never done; everyone who has, drinks. | Decks, circle games |
| Buffalo | Always drink with your non-dominant hand. | All night |
| Give out | Hand your sips to any player(s) you choose. | Most games |
| Pass | Skip a card or turn. Always allowed here. | Every game |
| Forfeit | A small task instead of a drink. | Without alcohol |
Beer pong terms
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Re-rack | Moving your remaining cups into a tighter shape. See re-racks. |
| Island | A cup touching no other cup; call it first and hitting it removes two. |
| Bounce shot | A ball that bounces on the table before going in: worth two cups (defenders may swat it). |
| Balls back | Both throws go in: both balls come back for another turn. |
| Elbow rule | Your elbow must stay behind the table edge when you throw. |
| Heating up / on fire | Two in a row: heating up. Three: on fire, keep shooting until you miss. |
| Redemption | When the last cup is hit, the losers shoot until they miss; clear the rack and it’s overtime. |
| Death cup | Hitting a cup the other team is still holding ends the game. |
| Gentleman’s cup | The last cup, pulled to the middle of the back row. |
| Zipper, diamond, stoplight | Re-rack formations for 6, 4 and 3 cups. |
Cup, coin and dice game terms
| Term | What it means | Game |
|---|---|---|
| Flip | Flicking an empty cup from the table edge so it lands face down. | Flip cup |
| Anchor | The last player in a relay team. | Flip cup |
| Stacked | Your cup is dropped into by the player after you: you drink. | Rage cage |
| Plunk | The die lands in a cup: a point, and that player drinks. | Beer die |
| Plink | The die hits a cup but doesn’t go in: dead, no point. | Beer die |
| Bizz and buzz | Words said instead of “five” and “seven”. | Beer die, Buzz |
| Three Man | The player who drinks whenever a 3 is rolled. | Three Man |
| Doubles | Both dice the same: hand out that many sips. | Three Man |
| Sink | The coin or ball lands in the glass or cup. | Quarters, beer pong |
Card game terms
| Term | What it means | Game |
|---|---|---|
| Ring of fire | The circle of face-down cards around the cup; another name for Kings Cup. | Kings Cup |
| King’s cup | The cup in the middle; the fourth King ends the game. | Kings Cup |
| Rhyme | Say a word; everyone rhymes in turn; first to fail drinks. | Kings Cup |
| Riding the bus | The final round, where one player guesses cards until they get through. | Ride the Bus |
| Pyramid | Cards laid in rows; flipped cards give out sips. | Ride the Bus |
| Snap | The next card has the same rank: everyone else drinks. | Higher or Lower |
Tips for a good game
- Agree on the terms before the first card: groups use different names.
- New players get one free mistake per rule.
Play it safe: every game here works with sips of any drink, or none at all. Only adults of legal drinking age should drink alcohol, alternate with water, and never drink and drive. [How to drink responsibly](/drink-responsibly/)
Drinking game terms: FAQ
What does waterfall mean in drinking games?
Everyone drinks at the same time in a chain around the circle, and nobody can stop until the person before them has stopped. The starter can stop whenever they like.
What is a social in a drinking game?
Everyone drinks together, usually after a toast.
What does heaven mean in Kings Cup?
Everyone points at the sky; the last person to do it drinks.
What is a re-rack in beer pong?
Moving your remaining cups into a new, tighter shape, such as a diamond for 4 cups. Most groups allow two per game.
What is a mate in drinking games?
A player you choose who has to drink every time you do, usually until the end of the game.