What happens if the deck runs out of cards?

If the deck runs out during a round, reshuffle the discard pile to keep the game going. If that's not possible, end the game where it stopped.

Can you skip rounds and just guess suits?

Yes, you can skip to Round 4 directly by playing the 'Suit Only Mode' variation, where every wrong guess is 4 drinks from the start.

What counts as 'inside' or 'outside' in Round 3?

Inside means the next card's value falls between the two cards already revealed. Outside means it's either lower than the smaller card or higher than the larger card.

What happens if someone refuses to drink?

It's up to the group to decide how to handle it,some groups let the person take a fun dare instead, while others might end their participation for the round.

Red or Black - Drinking Game Rules & How to Play

Red or Black is a drinking game in the Card Games category for 2-10 players that takes about 10-20 min with a easy difficulty level.

Guess card color through rounds of drinks

Equipment Needed

Standard deck of cards
Drinks

Setup

Shuffle a standard deck of cards thoroughly and place it face down in the center of the table. Make sure everyone has their drinks nearby because penalties stack as the rounds progress. Pick someone to go first, and play will move clockwise around the group.

How to Play Red or Black

Round 1: Guess red or black
Wrong = 1 drink
Round 2: Higher or lower
Wrong = 2 drinks
Round 3: Inside or outside
Wrong = 3 drinks
Round 4: Guess the suit
Wrong = 4 drinks

Tips & Strategies

In Round 2, pay attention to the first card revealed,it's your anchor for guessing higher or lower. For Round 3, consider the spread: a 7 and a 10 make 'inside' more likely than a 2 and a Queen. In Round 4, if you've been keeping track of suits played so far, you might have a better guess for your suit call. If someone keeps guessing wrong multiple rounds in a row, watch their drink levels,they're about to hit 10 drinks really fast.

Variations

Skip the first three rounds and go straight to guessing the suit for every card. Each wrong guess equals a 4-drink penalty.: Instead of drinks increasing through rounds, start with a 4-drink penalty in Round 1 and decrease by one drink each round.: The dealer guesses alongside other players. If the dealer guesses wrong, they drink; if they guess correctly and a player doesn't, that player takes an extra drink.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if the deck runs out of cards?: If the deck runs out during a round, reshuffle the discard pile to keep the game going. If that's not possible, end the game where it stopped.
Can you skip rounds and just guess suits?: Yes, you can skip to Round 4 directly by playing the 'Suit Only Mode' variation, where every wrong guess is 4 drinks from the start.
What counts as 'inside' or 'outside' in Round 3?: Inside means the next card's value falls between the two cards already revealed. Outside means it's either lower than the smaller card or higher than the larger card.
What happens if someone refuses to drink?: It's up to the group to decide how to handle it,some groups let the person take a fun dare instead, while others might end their participation for the round.

Players: 2-10 | Duration: 10-20 min | Difficulty: easy

Related Drinking Games

Give and Take — Match cards to either give or take drinks
Skip-Bo Drinking — Sequential card game with drinks
Card on Forehead — Hold cards on forehead and bet high
BS Drinking — Bluffing card game where getting caught means drinking
Piquet Shots — Historical card game with drink stakes
Spoons — Four of a kind grab spoons - loser drinks
Phase 10 Drinking — Complete phases or drink the penalty
Blackjack Drinking — Blackjack where losing means drinking

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 Card Games drinking games or see all drinking games.