Thirty-One - Drinking Game Rules & How to Play

Thirty-One is a drinking game in the Card Games category for 3-9 players that takes about 15-25 min with a easy difficulty level.

Build to 31 in one suit or drink

Equipment Needed

• Standard deck of cards
• Drinks

Setup

3 cards each plus 3 face up in center.

How to Play Thirty-One

1. Deal 3 cards to each player
2. 3 cards face up in center (the widow)
3. Take turns swapping with widow cards
4. Build highest total in ONE suit
5. Knock when satisfied
6. After knock, one more turn each
7. Lowest hand drinks the difference
8. 31 exactly = everyone else drinks

Tips & Strategies

Keep track of what's in the widow. Other players' discards reveal their hands.

Variations

Widow Swap: Can take all 3 widow cards at once. Quick 31: First to 31 wins instantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take multiple widow cards?

Usually one per turn, unless using widow swap variant.

What if I have cards in multiple suits?

Only count your highest single suit.

Players: 3-9 | Duration: 15-25 min | Difficulty: easy

Related Drinking Games

• Presidents Drinking — Card shedding game with social drinking hierarchy
• Ride the Bus — Guess the cards right or drink your way through
• Double Trouble Cards — Partner card matching game
• Kings Cup — The classic card game where each card has a rule - draw and drink!
• Rummy Drinking — Gin Rummy where point differences mean drinks
• Across the Bridge — Flip cards to cross the bridge without hitting face cards
• Hearts Drinking — Hearts card game with drinking penalties
• Blackjack Drinking — Blackjack where losing means drinking

From Our Blog

• Large Party Games That Will Get the Good Times Rolling — Hey there! You've got a large party in the works, and you're looking to make it unforgettable with some killer games. No worries, I've got you covered. After hosting countless game nights that turned ...
• Weekend Party Ideas for Non-Stop Fun — There’s something magical about weekends. They're the perfect time to unwind, gather your favorite people, and let loose with some epic party games. Whether you're hosting in your living room or takin...
• Weekend Party Ideas That'll Keep the Fun Flowing — Hey there, party planner extraordinaire! If you’re looking to spice up your weekend with some epic party ideas, you’ve hit the jackpot. I’ve been hosting party game nights for years, and let me tell y...

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