Quarters Drinking Game – Rules and How to Play
Bounce a quarter off the table and into the cup – sink it and you choose who drinks. Quarters is the classic coin drinking game that turns a steady hand into a party legend.
What you need:
- One quarter – any coin works, but a US quarter is the classic choice and bounces well.
- A hard, flat table – a smooth surface gives the best bounce.
- A cup or shot glass – placed in the middle of the table as the target.
- Drinks – beer is traditional, but anything works (including soda for a no-alcohol version).
- 2 or more players – the more people, the more chaos.
How to play Quarters:
- Place an empty cup in the center of the table and gather everyone around it.
- On your turn, bounce the quarter off the table so it lands inside the cup.
- If you make it, choose another player who has to drink. Then you go again.
- If you miss, the turn passes to the player on your left.
- Keep playing until the drinks run out – or the players do.
Common Quarters rules and variations:
- Three in a row – sink three quarters in a row and you can invent a new rule that lasts the whole game.
- Pass the cup – instead of choosing a victim, make it and pass the quarter; a miss means you drink.
- Speed Quarters – use two coins and two cups on opposite ends; whoever sinks both first hands the loser a drink.
- Tournament – split into two teams and race to bounce the coin into the cup.
- Chambers / Death Cup – if someone sinks the quarter into a cup you are still drinking from, you have to finish it.
- Quarter master – the last person to make a shot can deal out an extra drink at any time.
How to Play the Quarters Drinking Game
The quarters drinking game is one of the most iconic party classics ever invented – all you need is a coin, a cup and a flat table. The goal sounds simple: bounce the quarter off the table so it lands inside the cup. But once the drinks start flowing, that steady aim gets a lot harder, and that is exactly what makes this bounce game so much fun. Knowing how to play quarters takes about ten seconds to learn and a whole night to master.
What makes the quarters drinking game rules so addictive is the power that comes with a good shot. Every time you sink the coin, you get to point at someone and make them drink – and then you get to shoot again. A hot streak can put one player in total control of the table, which is why this coin drinking game has been a college party staple for decades.
Setting Up the Game
Setup is part of the charm of quarters. Find the hardest, flattest table you can – glass, wood or laminate all work great – and place a single cup or shot glass right in the middle. Everyone sits or stands around the table within comfortable bouncing distance. Pour everyone a drink, grab one quarter, and you are ready to start the bounce game. No special equipment, no rulebook, no setup time. That accessibility is why quarters remains one of the best-known drinking games in the world.
Rules
- On your turn, bounce the quarter off the table and try to land it in the cup.
- If you make it, choose someone to drink and then shoot again.
- If you miss, play passes to the player on your left.
- Sink three in a row and you earn the right to make a new house rule.
- Only one bounce is allowed – the coin must hit the table once before reaching the cup.
- Always drink responsibly and keep water and a non-alcoholic option on hand.
Tips to Get Better at Quarters
- Bounce close to the cup. Aim your bounce point a couple of inches in front of the glass rather than far away.
- Use your wrist, not your arm. A small, controlled flick gives you far more consistency than a big toss.
- Find a flat angle. Hold the coin almost vertical and release it at a low angle for a predictable bounce.
- Stay consistent. Once you find a motion that works, repeat the exact same throw every time.
- Stay calm. The more relaxed your hand, the better your aim – even after a few rounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you play the Quarters drinking game?
Place an empty cup in the middle of the table and take turns bouncing a quarter off the table into the cup. If you make it, you choose someone to drink and shoot again; if you miss, play passes to the next person on your left.
What do you need to play Quarters?
You only need one quarter, a hard flat table, a cup or shot glass to aim at, and drinks for everyone. It is one of the cheapest and easiest coin drinking games to set up.
How many people can play Quarters?
Quarters works with as few as two players and scales up to a big group. The more people around the table, the longer the rounds and the more chaotic the bounce game becomes.
Can you play Quarters without alcohol?
Absolutely. Swap the beer for soda, juice or water and the quarters drinking game rules stay exactly the same. It is still a fun test of aim and a great party icebreaker.
What is the three-in-a-row rule in Quarters?
If you bounce the quarter into the cup three times in a row, you get to make a new house rule that everyone has to follow for the rest of the game – a classic way to add extra chaos.