Circle of Death (drinking game)

Circle of Death is a drinking game similar to Kings in which a deck of cards is spread around a can in the middle of a table and players draw cards in order, each card having a specific value or meaning.

Set Up

Before starting the game, players must gather around a table and place an empty can in the center. A standard deck of cards is then shuffled and spread face down, in a circle around the can, forming the "Circle of Death".

Game Play

The game starts when the first player draws a card and places it face up on top of the center can. The player then completes the action defined by the card he drew before the player to his left draws another card. The game continues around the table in this fashion until all cards are drawn.

Actions

Each card number has a specific action associated with it. When a player draws a card, he or she does the following:

Two through Five

The player drinks that number of drinks.

Six through Eight

The player gives out that number of drinks to other players. This number may be divided up between players.

Nine

Rhyme Time - The player says any simple, often one-syllable word. Players then go in order around the table saying words that rhyme with the original one. This continues until a player cannot think of a new word or repeats a word that has already been said.

Ten

Rule - The player who has drawn the ten is now the Rule Master. He or she creates a rule that all players must follow for the remainder of the game. Any player who breaks the rule must drink. Many possible rules can be found in the International Drinking Rules. Popular ones include outlawing the use of players' first names or the words "drink", "drank", and "drunk".

Jack

Gestures - The player who has drawn the jack is now the Gesture Master. He or she creates a simple gesture that all players must mimic whenever it is made by the Gesture Master. The last player to follow suit and mimic the gesture must drink. The player remains Gesture Master until another player draws a jack, at which point he or she becomes Gesture Master and creates a new gesture. Popular gestures include placing one's thumb on the edge of the table or crossing one's arms. The position of Gesture Master can also be referred to as Thumb Master, in which case placing one's thumb on the edge of the table is the only acceptable gesture.

Queen

Question Master - The player who has drawn the queen is now the Question Master. Anytime that a player answers a question asked by the Question Master, he or she must drink. The Question Master may ask as many questions as he or she wants, and is encouraged to trick people into answering his or her questions. The player remains Question Master until the next queen is drawn, at which point that player becomes the new Question Master.

King

Categories - The player who has drawn a king creates a general category, then players must list items that fit into the chosen category. For example, a player could choose the category "Candy Bars". He or she then starts the list by naming a speccific candy. The other players then go around the table naming other candy bars. This continues until a player fails to name a new candy bar or names one that has already been said, at which point he or she drinks.

Ace

Waterfall - The player who has drawn an ace starts a Waterfall. The direction of the Waterfall is chosen by the player who drew the ace, then all players start drinking at the same time. The player who drew the ace is the first to stop drinking. When he or she stops, the the first player in the direction of the Waterfall is allowed to stop drinking. When that player stops, the player sitting next to them is allowed to stop, and so on until all players have stopped drinking.

• There are several ways to choose the direction of the Waterfall:

The Waterfall travels in the direction of the flow of the game (usually clockwise).

The player who drew the ace selects the order of the Waterfall.

The playerwho drew the ace asks a question which the players on either side of him or her must answer. The Waterfall travels in the direction of the player who answers first.

Variations

There are several rule variations to Circle of Death:

• Instead of the rules for numbers two through five and six through eight, some players prefer to use the rule called Red and Black. When any card between two and eight is drawn, the player either drinks or gives out that number of drinks, based on the color of the card. If the card is black, the player drinks that number, if it is red, he or she gives out that number