In the realm of social gatherings, few pastimes can rival the camaraderie and amusement of drinking games. However, when the group dwindles to just two, the options seem to diminish. Fear not, for within this realm of revelry, there exists a plethora of engaging and entertaining drinking games specifically designed for duos. From strategic challenges to tests of wit and dexterity, these games promise to ignite laughter, foster connection, and create unforgettable moments between two.
One such game that epitomizes convivial competition is “Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down.” This game tests not only your ability to outwit your opponent but also your capacity for witty banter. The rules are deceptively simple: each player takes turns asking a question that can be answered with a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down.” However, the catch lies in the fact that the person asking the question must make it as challenging as possible to discern their intended answer. This game demands quick thinking, sharp observation, and a healthy dose of mischief, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a lively and cerebral challenge.
For those who prefer a game that combines strategy with a touch of unpredictability, “Two Truths and a Lie” offers an intriguing option. In this game, one player shares three statements about themselves, two of which are true and one is a fabrication. The other player must then attempt to identify the lie. The beauty of this game lies in its ability to foster deeper understanding between players, as it encourages them to share personal anecdotes and challenge each other’s perceptions. However, be warned: it can also lead to some hilarious revelations and unexpected confessions.
The Classic: Quarters
Quarters is a timeless drinking game that requires nothing more than a few quarters and a table. The rules are simple:
- Players take turns bouncing a quarter off the table and catching it on the back of their hand.
- If the player successfully catches the quarter, they get to ask the other player a question.
- If the player fails to catch the quarter, they have to take a drink.
The game is often played with a set number of questions, such as 21. The first player to reach the set number wins the game. Quarters is a great way to get to know someone better, and it can also be a lot of fun.
Here are some tips for playing Quarters:
- Use a heavy quarter for best results.
- Bounce the quarter high enough so that you have time to catch it.
- Relax and don’t overthink it.
- Have fun!
The Card-Based: President
President
President is a classic card game that can be enjoyed by two or more players. Players take turns drawing cards and playing them according to the rules below. The goal of the game is to be the last player with cards in their hand.
Gameplay
- Shuffle the deck and deal seven cards to each player.
- The player to the left of the dealer starts the game by playing a card. The card played can be any card in their hand.
- The next player must play a card of the same suit as the card that was played previously. If the player does not have a card of the same suit, they must draw a card from the deck.
- The player who plays the highest card of the suit that was led wins the trick. The player who wins the trick collects all of the cards that were played in the trick and adds them to their hand.
- The player who wins the trick starts the next trick.
The game continues until one player has no cards left in their hand. That player is the winner.
Drinking Rules
* If a player plays a 2, everyone must drink two drinks.
* If a player plays a 3, everyone must drink three drinks.
* If a player plays a 4, they can choose who drinks four drinks.
* If a player plays a 5, they can choose who drinks five drinks.
* If a player plays a 6, everyone must drink six drinks.
* If a player plays a 7, they can choose who drinks seven drinks.
* If a player plays a 8, everyone must drink eight drinks.
* If a player plays a 9, they can choose who drinks nine drinks.
* If a player plays a 10, everyone must drink ten drinks.
* If a player plays a Jack, everyone must drink one drink.
* If a player plays a Queen, everyone must drink two drinks.
* If a player plays a King, everyone must drink three drinks.
* If a player plays an Ace, everyone must drink four drinks.The game can be made more difficult by adding additional drinking rules, such as:
* If a player plays a card that matches the suit of the card that was played previously, they can choose who drinks one drink.
* If a player plays a card that is the same number as the card that was played previously, they can choose who drinks two drinks.The Dice-Based: Yahtzee
Yahtzee is a classic dice game that can be easily adapted for two players. The basic rules are the same: players roll five dice up to three times, trying to score points by making certain combinations. However, in the two-player version, players take turns rolling the dice and scoring points. The first player to reach 50 points wins.
Yahtzee Scoring
The following table shows the different combinations and their point values:
Combination Points Aces 1 point for each ace rolled Twos 2 points for each two rolled Threes 3 points for each three rolled Fours 4 points for each four rolled Fives 5 points for each five rolled Sixes 6 points for each six rolled Three of a Kind Sum of all dice rolled Four of a Kind Sum of all dice rolled Full House (three of one and two of another) 25 points Small Straight (four consecutive numbers) 30 points Large Straight (five consecutive numbers) 40 points Yahtzee (five of a kind) 50 points Chance Sum of all dice rolled The Memory Test: I Have Never
This is a classic drinking game that tests your memory and ability to recall. To play, each player takes turns saying a statement that begins with the phrase “I have never…” For example, “I have never been to Disneyland.” If the other player has done the thing that was said, they must take a drink. The game continues until one player has had to drink more than a certain number of times, such as five or ten.
Variations
There are many variations of this game. Some common variations include:
- **Two Truths and a Lie:** In this variation, each player says three statements, two of which are true and one of which is a lie. The other player must guess which statement is the lie.
- **Never Have I Ever with a Twist:** In this variation, each player adds a twist to their statement. For example, “I have never been to Disneyland…while wearing a clown costume.”
- **I Have Never with a Challenge:** In this variation, each player challenges the other player to do something that they have never done before. For example, “I have never eaten a live worm…but I challenge you to do it.”
Classic I Have Never Two Truths and a Lie Never Have I Ever with a Twist I Have Never with a Challenge I have never been to Disneyland. I have never been to Disneyland, I have never eaten a live worm, and I have never skydived. I have never been to Disneyland…while wearing a clown costume. I have never eaten a live worm…but I challenge you to do it. The Trivia-Based: Two Truths and a Lie
A classic game of deduction, Two Truths and a Lie requires each player to state three statements about themselves—two true and one false. The other player must guess which statement is the lie. If they’re correct, they earn a point. The first player to reach a predetermined number of points (usually 5 or 10) wins.
7. Taboo
Taboo is a fast-paced word game where players take turns describing a word without using a set of forbidden words. The other player must guess the target word within a limited number of tries. If they succeed, they earn a point; if they fail, they lose a point.
Difficulty Number of Players Average Game Time Easy to Moderate 2 30-45 minutes Here are some tips for playing Two Truths and a Lie:
- Choose interesting and surprising statements.
- Vary the difficulty of your statements.
- Be a good listener and pay attention to the other player’s clues.
- Don’t be afraid to guess—even if you’re not sure.
The Word-Building: Bananagrams
Bananagrams is a word game for two or more players that combines the elements of Scrabble and Bananagrams. Players race to build words using all of their letter tiles, and the first player to do so wins.
Rules of the Game:
- Each player starts with 11 letter tiles.
- Players take turns adding words to the table.
- Words must connect to each other, either horizontally or vertically.
- Players can only use the letter tiles that they have.
- Players can exchange up to three letter tiles at a time.
- The first player to use all of their letter tiles wins.
Drinking Game Rules:
- Take a sip every time you add a word to the table.
- Take a shot every time you exchange three letter tiles.
- Finish your drink if you are the first player to use all of your letter tiles.
Word Number of Letters Points Apple 5 5 Banana 6 6 Cat 3 3 Dog 3 3 Fish 4 4 The Storytelling: Story Time
This drinking game is perfect for two people who enjoy storytelling and getting to know each other better. To play, one person starts by telling a story. As they tell the story, they must include a specific word or phrase that they have chosen beforehand. Every time they say that word or phrase, the other person must take a drink.
Advanced Storytelling:
To make the game more challenging, you can add some additional rules:
- The story must be true.
- The story must be at least 5 minutes long.
- The word or phrase must be used at least 5 times.
- The person telling the story cannot drink while they are telling it.
Scoring:
The person who tells the story gets 1 point for every time the other person drinks. The person who drinks the most gets 1 point for every drink they take.
The game ends when one person reaches 10 points. The person with the most points wins.
Variations:
There are many different variations of this game. Here are a few ideas:
- Instead of using a specific word or phrase, you can use a specific object or action.
- You can make the game more difficult by requiring the person telling the story to use a certain number of different words or phrases.
- You can make the game more fun by adding some silly or outrageous rules.
The Conversation Starter: The Line Game
The Line Game is a simple but effective way to break the ice and get a conversation flowing. To play, simply write down a line from a song, movie, or book on a piece of paper. Then, take turns reading the line out loud and trying to guess the source.
Basic Rules
- Each player takes a turn reading a line from a song, movie, or book.
- The other player has to guess the source of the line.
- If the other player guesses correctly, they get a point.
- The first player to reach a certain number of points (e.g., 5 or 10) wins the game.
Drinking Rules
To make the game more challenging and fun, you can add drinking rules. For example:
- If you can’t guess the source of the line, you have to take a drink.
- If you get the source of the line wrong, you have to take two drinks.
- If you can’t think of a line to read, you have to take three drinks.
Other Variations
There are many different ways to play The Line Game. Here are a few variations:
- Use a specific category of sources. For example, you could only use lines from movies or from songs from the 1980s.
- Use a timer. This will make the game more challenging and exciting.
- Play in teams. This is a great way to play with a group of friends.
- Create your own rules. The possibilities are endless!
Best Drinking Games for Two People
Drinking games are a fun and social way to enjoy a night out with friends, but what about when it’s just you and one other person? Don’t worry, there are plenty of great drinking games that are perfect for two people. Here are a few of our favorites:
One-on-One Beer Pong: This classic game is just as fun with two people as it is with a group. Simply set up two cups on each side of a table and take turns trying to bounce a ping-pong ball into your opponent’s cups. Every time you make a cup, your opponent has to take a drink.
Flip Cup: This is another classic drinking game that is perfect for two people. To play, simply fill two cups with beer and line them up on the edge of a table. Each person then takes a cup and tries to flip it over and drink the contents as quickly as possible. The first person to finish their cup wins.
Never Have I Ever: This game is a great way to get to know your opponent better and have a few laughs. To play, simply take turns saying things that you have never done. If your opponent has done the thing you said, they have to take a drink. This game can get pretty personal, so be prepared to share some embarrassing stories.
Kings: Kings is a classic card game that can be played with two people. To play, simply shuffle a deck of cards and deal seven cards to each player. The rest of the cards are placed in a pile in the middle of the table. Players then take turns flipping over the top card of the middle pile and performing the action that is associated with that card. There are many different variations of Kings, so you can make up your own rules or play by the traditional rules.
People Also Ask
What is a good drinking game for two people that doesn’t require a lot of setup?
Here are a few good drinking games for two people that don’t require a lot of setup:
- Never Have I Ever
- Two Truths and a Lie
- Would You Rather
- The Alphabet Game
- Flip Cup
What is the best drinking game for two people who are looking to get really drunk?
Here are a few drinking games for two people that are sure to get you drunk:
- One-on-One Beer Pong
- Flip Cup
- Kings
- Quarters
- Power Hour
What is a good drinking game for two people who just want to have a casual night in?
Here are a few drinking games for two people that are perfect for a casual night in:
- Never Have I Ever
- Two Truths and a Lie
- Would You Rather
- The Alphabet Game
- Card Games
