Fuck the Dealer is a popular and fast-paced drinking card game where players attempt to guess the next card in the deck, with the goal of making the dealer drink. The game emphasizes quick thinking and a bit of luck, leading to a dynamic and engaging experience.
What You Need
To play Fuck the Dealer, you only need a few simple items:
- A standard deck of 52 playing cards.
- Drinks for all participating players.
- A group of at least three players.
Game Setup
- Gather Players: Have all players sit in a circle, ensuring everyone has their drink readily available.
- Choose a Dealer: One player is designated as the initial dealer. This role will rotate throughout the game.
- Prepare the Deck: The dealer takes the deck of cards, shuffles it thoroughly, and holds it face down.
Gameplay Mechanics
The game proceeds in turns, with the dealer presenting cards to players one by one.
Dealer's Turn
The dealer's objective is to trick players into guessing incorrectly.
- First Guess (Higher or Lower): The dealer draws the top card from the deck and places it face up on the table. They then ask the player to their left to guess if the next card drawn will be higher or lower than the revealed card. (Aces are usually high, Kings are highest, 2s are lowest. Clarify suits if necessary, but typically not relevant beyond determining rank.)
- Second Guess (Exact Card): If the player guesses correctly (e.g., they guessed "higher" and the next card is indeed higher), the dealer will then ask the same player to guess the exact numerical value of the next card (e.g., "Is it a 7?").
Player's Guesses and Consequences
The outcome of a player's guess determines who drinks.
| Guess Type | Player's Action | Card Revealed Outcome | Who Drinks & Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Guess | Higher/Lower | Correct | The dealer takes a drink. Player proceeds to the "Exact Card" guess. |
| Incorrect | The player takes drinks equal to the difference between their guess and the actual card's rank (e.g., if they guessed "lower" than a 7, and it was a King, the difference is significant). The turn then passes to the next player. | ||
| Second Guess | Exact Card | Correct | The dealer must drink a significant penalty, often a large gulp or several sips. The turn then passes to the next player. |
| Incorrect | The player takes drinks equal to the numerical difference between their guess and the actual card's rank. The turn then passes to the next player. |
Note: The specific amount of drinks for "penalty" and "significant penalty" is usually decided by the players at the start of the game.
Special Rules & Dealer Changes
The flow of the game, particularly who holds the dealer role, is influenced by streaks of correct or incorrect guesses:
- Dealer Passes the Deck: If three consecutive players guess incorrectly, the current dealer gets a reprieve. They pass the deck of cards to the next player in the circle, who then becomes the new dealer.
- Dealer Drinks Penalty: If, conversely, three consecutive players guess correctly (including both their higher/lower and exact card guesses), the current dealer must take a penalty drink. This is often a larger, pre-agreed-upon amount of their drink, signifying their inability to stump the players.
Ending the Game
Fuck the Dealer is designed for continuous play until a specific condition is met:
- The game concludes as soon as the entire deck of cards is empty. There are no winners or losers in the traditional sense, just a lot of fun and perhaps a few full drinks!
Tips for Playing
- Agree on Rules: Before starting, clearly define what constitutes a "drink" (e.g., a sip, a gulp, chug until the next player's turn), and how high/low cards are ranked (Ace high or low).
- Keep it Fair: Encourage players to take honest sips or drinks when required to keep the game flowing and enjoyable for everyone.
- Embrace the Pace: The game moves quickly, which adds to its excitement. Don't dwell too long on each guess.
