What happens if a piece is kinged?

Replace the captured piece with a larger shot glass filled to the brim with your drink. That piece now moves like a king in regular checkers and becomes a bigger drinking penalty if captured.

Do I have to drink my own shot if my piece is captured?

No, the person who captures your piece drinks the shot. It's part of their reward for outsmarting you.

What do I do if we run out of drinks mid-game?

Refill the shot glasses with fresh drinks, or if you're running low, reduce the amount in each glass to stretch the supply for the rest of the game.

Can you play with more than two players?

No, Beer Checkers is strictly a two-player game due to the checkerboard format. If you have extra friends, have them set up another board or cheer from the sidelines.

Beer Checkers - Drinking Game Rules & How to Play

Beer Checkers is a drinking game in the Beer Games category for 2 players that takes about 20-30 min with a medium difficulty level.

Checkers where captured pieces get drunk

Equipment Needed

Checkerboard
Shot glasses
2 types of drinks

Setup

Place a standard checkerboard on a flat, sturdy surface like a kitchen table. Replace each regular checker piece with a shot glass, filling all pieces on one side with one drink (like beer) and the other side with a different drink (like cider or vodka soda). Make sure to have extra drinks nearby for refills and a couple of larger shot glasses ready for kinged pieces.

How to Play Beer Checkers

Shot glasses as checker pieces
Fill with different drinks per side
Capture = opponent drinks that shot
Kinged = bigger shot glass
Win = opponent drinks remaining
Strategy matters
Gets harder as you go
Classic combo

Tips & Strategies

Start with lighter drinks if you want to last the entire game; stronger alcohol can overwhelm you quickly as the game progresses. Watch your opponent's moves carefully and protect your back row until you're ready to crown a king, as those larger shot glasses are harder to avoid drinking. Be strategic about which piece you capture,targeting a strong drink can throw off your opponent's game faster. Always refill kinged pieces to the brim; they should feel like real rewards and consequences, not just decoration.

Variations

Double Trouble: When a shot glass is captured, both players drink the shot before it's removed from the board.. Mix-it-Up Kings: When a piece is kinged, players must mix both types of drinks into the larger shot glass for a hybrid challenge.. Last Call Blitz: In the final 5 minutes, every move that doesn't result in a capture requires the player to take a sip from their own drink.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if a piece is kinged?: Replace the captured piece with a larger shot glass filled to the brim with your drink. That piece now moves like a king in regular checkers and becomes a bigger drinking penalty if captured.
Do I have to drink my own shot if my piece is captured?: No, the person who captures your piece drinks the shot. It's part of their reward for outsmarting you.
What do I do if we run out of drinks mid-game?: Refill the shot glasses with fresh drinks, or if you're running low, reduce the amount in each glass to stretch the supply for the rest of the game.
Can you play with more than two players?: No, Beer Checkers is strictly a two-player game due to the checkerboard format. If you have extra friends, have them set up another board or cheer from the sidelines.

Players: 2-2 | Duration: 20-30 min | Difficulty: medium

Related Drinking Games

Drunk Golf — Golf drinking challenge
I Never — Classic never have I ever
Stack Cup — Bounce, stack, and race in this cup-stacking drinking game
Drunken Uno — Uno with extra drinking penalties
Shotgun Relay — Team shotgunning relay race
Wisest Wizard — Build a wizard staff from taped beer cans
Shot Ski — Multiple people drink from one ski
Dizzy Bat — Spin on a bat then try to hit a can while dizzy

From Our Blog

Small Group Games That Pack a Punch — When you're hanging out with a small group of friends, the right game can turn a casual night into a memorable one. Whether it's a cozy get-together at your apartment or a night in at a friend's place...
House Party Hacks for the Ultimate Bash — Hey! So you’re throwing a house party, huh? Whether it’s your first time hosting or you’re a seasoned party-thrower, there’s always something new to learn. Trust me, I’ve been hosting party game night...
Game Spotlight: Must-Try Drinking Games for Your Next Bash — Throwing a party and not sure how to keep the energy up? Look, I've been there more times than I can count. Whether you're hosting a chill backyard hangout or an all-night rager, drinking games are a ...

Browse more Beer Games drinking games or see all drinking games.