Dice Drinking Game – Complete Guide to Roll and Drink

What is the Dice drinking game?

The dice drinking game is a category of drinking games where one or more dice determine what happens. The player rolls the die, and depending on the result either the player must drink themselves, deal out sips, complete a task or activate a special rule. There are many variants and rule setups, but the basic concept is always the same: roll and see what fate decides.

What makes dice games a timeless favourite is the combination of randomness and rules. You can't control what you roll, but you can have strategies for how you play. The excitement of watching the die roll is simple, primitive and effective – people have played with dice for thousands of years, and the drinking variant is just one of countless applications.

The dice drinking game requires minimal equipment – one die is all you need – and can be set up in under a minute. That makes it the perfect improvised game when you don't have cards, a phone or other equipment available. Regardless of age, background or drinking habits, everyone can understand and participate.

How to play the Dice drinking game

1. Everyone sits around a table. Have the die ready and make sure everyone has something to drink.
2. Decide the rules for each number BEFORE the game starts. Write them down or use our digital version which shows the rules automatically.
3. The first player rolls the die and performs the rule for the number they rolled.
4. The game goes clockwise – the next player rolls when the previous one is done.
5. Special rules (such as "knock" or "stack") are activated and apply until they are reset by a new roll.
6. The game continues until the group is done, or until a set time is reached.

Tip: Agree on the rules BEFORE you start. Nothing ruins the flow of a dice game like arguing about what a particular number means in the middle of the game.

Rules for each number – standard version

Popular rule setups

There are many popular variations of the rules. Here are some of the most commonly used:

High-Low variant

Each roll is decided by whether you roll higher or lower than the previous player. Roll higher, deal out sips. Roll lower, drink yourself. Roll the same, both drink. Simple and fast, with plenty of excitement around each roll.

Cumulative version

Instead of one roll per person, the player rolls the die until they roll 1. Each roll is added to a cumulative total number of sips that either the player themselves or the rest of the group must drink at the end. The longer the streak without a 1, the more penalty at the end. It gives a nerve-wracking "push your luck" mechanic.

Two-dice version

With two dice you always roll two numbers. The sum determines what happens: 2 = everyone drinks a lot, 7 = nobody drinks (free round), 12 = the person who rolled is "dice king" and determines a new permanent rule. The combination possibilities give much more variation than one die.

Relay version

Everyone rolls the die once in turn. After a full round the one with the lowest sum drinks. The next round starts, and this time the one with the highest sum drinks. It gives an element of strategy: you don't want too high or too low, but rather to be in the middle.

Tips for beginners

• Write down the rules. Set up a simple list everyone can see. It saves time and avoids arguments.
• Decide the "drink" unit in advance. What is one "sip"? Three seconds? A specific amount? Be clear from the start.
• Start with simple rules. Special rules that last over time can get confusing – keep it simple until everyone is warmed up.
• Use a cup or bowl as a dice shaker. It prevents the die from rolling off the table and makes rolling more dramatic.
• Rotate who makes rules for the 5. Give everyone the opportunity to make a fun rule, not just the most creative person in the group.
• Have a "reset" mechanism. Decide that all active rules reset after e.g. 10 rounds, so no rule lasts forever.

Special rules and power-ups

Want to spice up the game with extra elements? Here are popular special rules that can be added:

Weak hand rule

The die must always be rolled with the weak hand. Whoever uses the dominant hand automatically drinks two sips. This makes rolling more unpredictable and creates more drama.

Silence rule

While the die is rolling nobody is allowed to talk. The first person to say something (while the die is still moving) drinks one sip. Combined with long rolls on an uneven surface this can become very funny.

Doubling rule

If you roll the same number twice in a row, all sips are doubled until the next double roll. A simple mechanic that increases the stakes considerably over time.

Guessing rule

Before you roll you guess what you'll roll. If you guess right, you're free and the next player drinks your number of sips. If you guess wrong, you drink double what you rolled. It gives a fun gambling element to the game.

Variants of the Dice drinking game

Mexico

A classic variant where two dice are rolled hidden under a cup. Players lie or tell the truth about what they rolled – and the next player decides whether they believe it. If you lie and get caught, you drink. If you wrongly trust a liar, you drink. The combination 2-1 = "Mexico" and is always the highest hand regardless of order.

Mia

A Nordic favourite, very similar to Mexico. Two dice are rolled hidden. The order of the numbers determines the value (21 is "Mia" and always the highest, otherwise numbers are read as two-digit numbers: 65 = 65, 54 = 54 etc.). Want to beat the previous player? Then you need to roll higher – or lie about it.

Dice poker

Each player rolls five dice and tries to get poker combinations (pair, two pair, three of a kind, full house, four of a kind, five of a kind, straight). The player with the weakest hand after three rounds drinks. Requires a bit more knowledge of poker hands, but adds a strategic layer on top of the randomness.

Snowball

The group decides on a "magic" sum (for example 7). If you roll a sum of two dice equal to the magic sum, everyone else drinks a set number of sips. No other rules – just roll and wait for magic moments. Simple and fast, but with great dramatic effect when someone hits it.

Common questions about the Dice drinking game

Which dice variant is best for large groups?

"Everyone drinks" rules and simple sip-per-number rules work best for large groups because they keep everyone involved. Variants where only one player does something at a time can feel slow with many participants.

Can you play with just one die?

Absolutely. One standard six-sided die is all you need for most variants. Two dice give more variation and enable sums from 2 to 12, but are not necessary for a good game.

What if you don't have a physical die?

Use our digital version at drikkelek.com – it simulates dice rolls and shows the rules for each result automatically. Perfect for those who always forget to bring a die.

How long should you play?

Most groups play 3–5 rounds per person, giving a playing time of 15–25 minutes. If you want to play longer just continue, but set a natural ending after a fixed time so the game doesn't drag out.