Medieval Drinking Games

• 🍷   1. The Wager Cup
• 🐃   2. Buffalo
• 🍺   3. Sconcing
• 👑   4. Mead Quest
• 🎲   5. Dudo
• 🪙   6. Pennying

Drinking games have been a popular form of entertainment for centuries, and no era did it quite like the medieval times. People were just drinking themselves to oblivion (and we don’t blame them!).

And what better way to transport yourself back in time than with a few rounds of fun drinking games?

Whether you’re planning a medieval-themed party or want to spice up your next game night, these Medieval drinking games will have your friends shouting “Huzzah!” and bonding over a few pints of ale.

1. The Wager Cup

This 16th-century game was a favorite during wedding feasts, but you can play this anywhere, anytime! In this Medieval drinking game, you have to drink it all (and we mean it, ALL) without spilling a single drop!

How to play “The Wager Cup”

Playing “The Wager Cup” is simple; all you need is a giant cup (or bowl), some ale, and a steady hand. Here’s how to play:

1. Fill your cup (or bowl) with ale. Make sure it’s filled to the brim. Put on a playlist, with a minimum number of tracks as the number of players.

2. Who goes first? Well, let’s settle it with a game of rock-paper-scissors! The loser goes first, and then the play continues clockwise.

3. Make your wager. Before each turn, the player must make a wager (e.g., “I bet I can drink this without spilling a drop.”)

If they fail, they must drink again. If they succeed, the next player goes.

4. Drink or suffer the consequences. The player must drink from the cup without spilling any liquid or making a mess. No holding on to the table with your elbows!

5. Keep playing until all players have gone once. This Medieval drinking game continues with each player taking turns until everyone has had a chance to drink and make their wager.

2. Buffalo

Atypical of most drinking games in the past, “Buffalo” is a drinking game you play for life. Once you become a member of the “Buffalo” club, you commit to the “Buffalo” lifestyle, but you can always try it for one night of fun!

How to play “Buffalo”

“Buffalo” is a game in a game that will keep you on your toes. Here’s what you’ll need to keep in mind:

1. Always have a drink in hand. During the entire night, you must always have a drink in your non-dominant hand.

2. Don’t be caught with your non-dominant hand empty! If someone catches you without a drink in your non-dominant hand, they can call “Buffalo!” and you must finish your drink.

3. This Medieval drinking game never ends. Once someone is initiated into the “Buffalo” club (either by drinking or breaking one of the rules), they are committed to being part of it for life.

3. Sconcing

Another game within a game, “Sconcing”, was popular at Oxford University in the 17th century. It was popular among delinquents and troublemakers, and we’ll tell you why!

How to play “Sconcing”

This Medieval drinking game is all about trading a punishment for another punishment, and it’s a great way to avoid dares if you’re not feeling it. Perfect for hard drinkers, right?

1. Choose the “victim.” One player is chosen to be the sconced victim.

2. The trade-off begins. The sconced victim can either take a dare from another player or choose to drink for a certain amount of time (e.g., 10 seconds).

3. Pass it on. If the victim chooses to drink, the next player becomes the sconced victim and must make their trade-off.

4. Keep playing until everyone has had a turn. This Medieval drinking game continues with each player taking turns being the sconced victim until everyone has had a chance to trade off their punishment.

4. Mead Quest

Another version of King’s Cup, this game is about drawing cards and following the rules. But with a medieval twist, of course! It’s perfect for those who love a bit of chaos in their drinking games.

How to play “Mead Quest”

“Mead Quest” is easy, but there are a lot of rules to remember. Here’s how this Medieval drinking game goes:

1. Gather a deck of cards. Take out all the Kings, Queens, Jacks, and Jokers.

2. Spread the remaining cards on a flat surface. Each card will have a corresponding rule, which we’ll explain next.

3. Ensure you have plenty of mead (or any other drink) on hand! Draw your card and follow the rules! Here are some examples of the most common rules:

• 2: You (the drawer) can choose a player to drink.
• 3: The person to your left must drink.
• 4: The person to your right must drink.
• 5: All women at the table must drink.
• 6: All men at the table must drink.
• 7: The last person to high-five the drawer must drink.
• 8: All players of a certain age must drink (e.g., all players born in an even-numbered year).
• 9: The drawer and the player directly across from them must toast and drink.
• 10: Pick a category (e.g., types of alcohol). Starting with the drawer, each player must name something in that category. The first player to repeat or not come up with a response must drink.
• Ace: The drawer can make any rule they want for the rest of the game.

4. Keep playing until all the cards are drawn. Once all the cards are gone, it’s time to start a new deck!

5. Dudo

A dice game enjoyed by medieval royalty and peasants alike, “Dudo” is simple yet intense. It’s perfect for those who love a bit of strategy in their Medieval drinking game.

👉 Want more dice-based drinking games? Check out these fantastic dice drinking games that are just as fun!

How to play “Dudo”

All you need for this game are 2 dice and something to drink! Here’s how it goes:

1. Start with an ante. Each player must put a small amount of their drink into a communal cup.

2. Shake the dice and place them under your cup without looking at them. This Medieval drinking game aims to guess how many of a certain number are on all players’ dice combined (e.g., two 4s, five 3s, etc.).

3. Make your wager. Starting with the player to the dealer’s left, each player must make a wager on how many of a certain number they think are under all the cups combined (e.g., “I bet there are three 5s under all cups”).

4. Continue clockwise until someone challenges. Each player can either raise the bet or pass. Once a challenge is made, everyone must reveal their dice.

5. Sip or chug, depending on the outcome. If the player who made the wager was correct, they can distribute sips of their drink to other players based on how far off their bet was (e.g., if they guessed three 5s and there are four, they can give out one sip). If they were incorrect, they must chug their entire drink.

6. Keep playing until all players have gone once. This Medieval drinking game continues with each player taking turns being the dealer and making wagers until everyone can sip or chug their drinks.

6. Pennying

“Pennying” is similar to another game, “Landmines,” and if you only have a coin and some drinks, you’re set for a fun night. You’ll need a lot of attention for this Medieval drinking game, so make sure you’re not too drunk before starting!

How to play “Pennying”

This game is straightforward, and you’ll be surprised at how much fun it can be. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Choose who goes first. One player will start by flipping the coin and guessing it will land on heads or tails.

2. Flick the coin on a flat surface. If the player guesses correctly, they can try guessing again. If they guess incorrectly, the next player takes a turn.

3. Keep flicking until someone misses three times in a row. Once this happens, the person who missed must drink.

4. Add more coins as you go along. As the game progresses and players miss their flip, they must add another coin to their pile before drinking.

5. The pile keeps growing until someone successfully guesses three times in a row. Once this happens, that person can pass their pile onto any other player to start again.

6. Keep playing until everyone’s had a turn, or you run out of coins!

So there you have six medieval drinking games that will surely make your next party a hit! Whether you prefer games of strategy or pure chaos, there’s something for everyone on this list. Just make sure to drink responsibly and have fun!