Does laughing really count as a blink?

Yes, laughing breaks the focus of the game, so it counts the same as blinking or looking away. Maintain your composure if you want to win.

How do you decide the penalty for the overall loser?

The group can decide beforehand, but a common choice is a double drink or a shot of something stronger.

What happens if both players blink at the same time?

Call it a tie for that round and move on to the next one. Nobody drinks unless one player is clearly slower to recover.

Can you wear sunglasses or blink faster to cheat?

No, sunglasses aren't allowed, and rapid blinking to 'reset' is an instant loss for that round. Keep it fair and honest.

Staring Contest - Drinking Game Rules & How to Play

Staring Contest is a drinking game in the Two Player category for 2 players that takes about 5-10 min with a easy difficulty level.

Blink and drink

Equipment Needed

Drinks only

Setup

Grab two chairs and position them about three feet apart, facing directly toward each other. Each player should have their drink within arm's reach to avoid breaking eye contact when drinking. Decide who will give the countdown to start each round, and have a timer handy if you want to keep the rounds consistent.

How to Play Staring Contest

Face each other
Stare without blinking
First to blink drinks
Best of 5 rounds
Laughing counts as blink
Looking away = blink
Overall loser = penalty
Simple but intense

Tips & Strategies

Stay hydrated,dry eyes are your enemy. Focus on your opponent's forehead or nose instead of their eyes to reduce the urge to blink. If you feel yourself about to blink, try a subtle widening of your eyes to buy yourself an extra second. Use humor strategically; a well-timed smirk can push your opponent into a laugh, which counts as a blink.

Variations

No Hands Rule: Players must keep their hands flat on their thighs. Rubbing your eyes, touching your face, or making exaggerated gestures results in an automatic drink.. Distraction Zone: Spectators are allowed to make noise, cheer, or even try to distract the players, but they can't physically interfere. If a player gets distracted and looks away, it counts as a blink.. Penalty Shot Round: The overall loser drinks a penalty shot instead of a normal sip, raising the stakes for the final round.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does laughing really count as a blink?: Yes, laughing breaks the focus of the game, so it counts the same as blinking or looking away. Maintain your composure if you want to win.
How do you decide the penalty for the overall loser?: The group can decide beforehand, but a common choice is a double drink or a shot of something stronger.
What happens if both players blink at the same time?: Call it a tie for that round and move on to the next one. Nobody drinks unless one player is clearly slower to recover.
Can you wear sunglasses or blink faster to cheat?: No, sunglasses aren't allowed, and rapid blinking to 'reset' is an instant loss for that round. Keep it fair and honest.

Players: 2-2 | Duration: 5-10 min | Difficulty: easy

Related Drinking Games

Speed Quarters — Race to bounce quarters into glasses
Power Hour — Shot of beer every minute for an hour - can you last?
Anchorman — Take turns as the anchor who finishes all remaining drinks
Speed — Fast-paced card racing for two - drink when you lose!
Spoons for Two — Card matching race with one spoon at stake
Skee Ball Drinking — Arcade skee ball with drinks
Coin Stack — Stack coins or drink
Darts Drinking — Dart scores for drinks

From Our Blog

Weekend Party Ideas to Keep the Fun Rolling — You know that feeling when the weekend rolls around, and you’re itching to throw an epic party but have been doing the same old thing every time? Well, I’m here to get you out of that rut. Whether you...
Weekend Party Ideas for Non-Stop Fun — So, you’re thinking of throwing a weekend party and want to make sure it’s a blast? Trust me, I’ve been there. It's all about the vibe, the people, and of course, the games. From personal experience, ...
Weekend Party Ideas: Bringing the Fun Home — Alright, so you've decided to throw a weekend party and you're probably wondering how to make it unforgettable. We've all been there - staring at an empty living room, thinking about how to fill it wi...

Browse more Two Player drinking games or see all drinking games.