Are you looking for a fun and engaging drinking game? The Ride The Bus Drinking Game is a wildly entertaining game that can be a great way to bond with friends. At polarservicecenter.net, we want to ensure you have the best experience possible, and that includes knowing how to have fun responsibly. This guide will explain the rules and offer tips to make your game night unforgettable.
1. What is the Ride the Bus Drinking Game?
The Ride the Bus drinking game is a card game that combines luck, strategy, and, of course, alcohol. It’s a popular choice for parties and gatherings because it’s easy to learn and can accommodate multiple players. The game consists of three phases: dealing cards, building the pyramid, and riding the bus, each with its own set of rules and challenges.
1.1. What’s the Goal of Ride the Bus?
The goal is to avoid being the person who has to “ride the bus” at the end of the game. Players aim to strategically discard their cards during the pyramid phase to minimize their hand and dodge the final, potentially heavy-drinking round.
1.2. What Do You Need to Play?
You’ll need the following items to get started:
- A standard deck of 52 playing cards
- Alcoholic beverages of your choice (beer, liquor, wine coolers)
- At least two players (but the more, the merrier)
- A flat surface to deal cards
1.3. Where Can You Play?
This game can be played almost anywhere, making it a versatile choice for social gatherings. Popular locations include:
- House parties
- Bars and pubs
- Dorm rooms
- Camping trips
2. How to Play Ride the Bus: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here is a comprehensive guide on how to play the Ride the Bus drinking game, broken down into the three phases:
2.1. Phase One: Dealing the Cards
This phase consists of four rounds, each testing your luck and knowledge of the cards.
2.1.1. Round One: Red or Black?
- Dealer: One player is designated as the dealer for the round.
- The Question: Starting to the left, the dealer asks each player, “Red or black?”
- The Guess: Players guess whether the next card dealt to them will be red or black.
- Outcome:
- Correct Guess: Nothing happens.
- Incorrect Guess: The player takes a sip of their drink.
- Continuation: Play continues around the circle until everyone has their first card.
2.1.2. Round Two: Higher or Lower?
- The Question: The dealer asks each player, “Higher or lower?”
- The Guess: Players must guess whether the next card dealt to them will be higher or lower in value than their first card. Ace is considered the highest card.
- Outcome:
- Correct Guess: Nothing happens.
- Incorrect Guess: The player takes a sip of their drink.
- Same Card: If the dealt card is the same value as the player’s first card, the dealer reshuffles the dealt card back into the deck and picks again from the top of the deck.
- Continuation: Play continues around the circle until everyone has their second card.
2.1.3. Round Three: In-Between or Outside?
- The Question: The dealer asks each player, “In-between or outside?”
- The Guess: Players must guess whether the value of the next card dealt will fall between the values of their first two cards (“in-between”) or outside of those values (“outside”).
- Example: If a player’s first two cards are a 4 and a 9, a card with a value of 5 would be “inside,” while a queen would be “outside.”
- Outcome:
- Correct Guess: Nothing happens.
- Incorrect Guess: The player takes a sip of their drink.
- Same Card: If the dealt card is the same value as either of the player’s first two cards, the dealer reshuffles the dealt card and picks again from the top of the deck.
- Continuation: Play continues until everyone has their third card.
2.1.4. Round Four: Suit?
- The Question: The dealer asks each player to pick a suit (hearts, diamonds, clubs, or spades).
- The Guess: Players choose one of the four suits.
- Outcome:
- Correct Guess: The player gets to distribute five drinks to other players. They can assign all five to one person or spread them out.
- Incorrect Guess: The player drinks.
- Continuation: Play continues until everyone has their fourth card.
2.2. Phase Two: Building the Pyramid
This phase involves creating a pyramid of face-down cards and strategically discarding your own cards.
2.2.1. Constructing the Pyramid
- The dealer builds a pyramid of face-down cards.
- The pyramid consists of five rows:
- Base row: 5 cards
- Second row: 4 cards
- Third row: 3 cards
- Fourth row: 2 cards
- Top row: 1 card
2.2.2. Drink Values
- Each row of the pyramid corresponds to a drink value:
- Bottom row (5 cards): 1 drink per card
- Second row (4 cards): 2 drinks per card
- Third row (3 cards): 3 drinks per card
- Fourth row (2 cards): 4 drinks per card
- Top row (1 card): 5 drinks per card (or a shot, if desired)
2.2.3. Playing the Pyramid
- The dealer flips over each card in the pyramid, starting from the bottom row.
- If a player has a card in their hand that matches the card flipped on the pyramid, they can discard it by placing it on top of the pyramid card.
- When a player discards a matching card, they get to assign the drink value associated with that row to another player(s). The drinks can be distributed as they see fit.
- Multiple players can discard cards on the same pyramid card, and a player can discard multiple matching cards if they have them.
- Players have the option to hold onto their cards, hoping to match them with a higher-value card on the upper rows of the pyramid.
2.3. Phase Three: Riding the Bus
This is the final and potentially most intense phase of the game.
2.3.1. Identifying the “Rider”
- Once all the cards in the pyramid have been flipped and all possible drinks have been distributed, players count the number of cards remaining in their hands.
- The player with the most cards left in their hand has to “ride the bus.”
- Tie-Breaker: If two or more players have the same number of cards, the player with the highest-value card in their hand rides the bus. If the highest cards are also the same, the player with the next-highest card rides.
2.3.2. The “Bus Ride”
- The dealer lays out ten cards face down.
- One by one, the dealer flips over a card.
- Number Card: If it’s a number card (2-10), nothing happens, and the dealer moves to the next card.
- Face Card or Ace: If it’s a face card (Jack, Queen, King) or an Ace, the player riding the bus must drink:
- Jack: 1 drink
- Queen: 2 drinks
- King: 3 drinks
- Ace: 4 drinks
- The bus ride continues until all ten cards have been flipped.
3. Strategic Tips to Win Ride the Bus
To increase your chances of winning and avoid riding the bus, consider these strategic tips:
3.1. Pay Attention
Always keep track of the cards that have been played, both in the dealing phase and during the pyramid. This will help you make more informed decisions about whether to hold onto or discard your cards.
3.2. Bluffing
Don’t be afraid to bluff. For example, you can pretend to have a matching card during the pyramid phase to encourage others to discard their cards, even if you don’t have one.
3.3. Pyramid Card Management
Consider saving your higher-value cards for the top rows of the pyramid. While it’s tempting to get rid of cards early, those higher rows can help you distribute more drinks and get rid of more cards at once.
3.4. Know When to Hold ‘Em, Know When to Fold ‘Em
As Kenny Rogers famously sang, knowing when to hold onto cards and when to discard them is crucial. If you have multiple cards that match a low-value card on the pyramid, consider discarding them to avoid being stuck with too many cards at the end.
3.5. Adapt to the Group
Pay attention to how other players are playing. If everyone is hoarding cards, it might be a good idea to discard yours more aggressively. If others are discarding quickly, you might want to hold on to your cards for higher-value matches.
4. Variations of Ride the Bus
While the standard rules are widely played, there are several variations you can incorporate to spice things up:
4.1. Progressive Drinking
Instead of fixed drink values during the bus ride, increase the number of drinks with each card. For example, the first face card is one drink, the second is two, and so on.
4.2. Double Pyramid
Build two pyramids instead of one. This variation extends the game and adds more complexity to the card-discarding strategy.
4.3. Special Card Rules
Assign special rules to certain cards. For example, if a player discards a 7, they can make another player skip their next turn in the pyramid phase.
4.4. Reverse Pyramid
Build the pyramid upside down, with one card at the base and five at the top. This changes the dynamics of the game, as the higher-value cards are revealed first.
4.5. Wild Card
Add a wild card (joker) to the deck. Whoever gets the wild card can use it to match any card in the pyramid.
5. Ride the Bus and Responsible Drinking
Drinking games are fun, but it’s crucial to prioritize responsible drinking. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind:
5.1. Set Limits
Decide how many drinks you’ll have before you start playing, and stick to that limit.
5.2. Stay Hydrated
Drink water or other non-alcoholic beverages between alcoholic drinks to stay hydrated.
5.3. Eat Food
Eat a meal before playing to slow down the absorption of alcohol.
5.4. Know Your Limits
Pay attention to how your body is reacting to alcohol, and don’t be afraid to stop playing if you feel uncomfortable.
5.5. Never Drink and Drive
Arrange for a designated driver or use a ride-sharing service to get home safely.
5.6. Be Mindful of Others
Encourage responsible drinking among your friends and don’t pressure anyone to drink more than they’re comfortable with.
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9. Ride the Bus FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Ride the Bus drinking game:
9.1. How many players do you need to play Ride the Bus?
You can play with as few as two players, but the game is more fun with four or more.
9.2. Can you modify the drinking rules?
Yes, you can customize the drinking rules to suit your preferences. For example, you can increase or decrease the number of sips or substitute shots for sips.
9.3. What happens if the dealer runs out of cards during the pyramid phase?
If the dealer runs out of cards, reshuffle the discard pile and continue building the pyramid.
9.4. Can you play Ride the Bus with non-alcoholic beverages?
Yes, you can play with non-alcoholic beverages if you prefer not to drink alcohol.
9.5. Is Ride the Bus a good game for parties?
Yes, Ride the Bus is a great game for parties because it’s easy to learn and can accommodate a large number of players.
9.6. What is the best strategy for avoiding riding the bus?
The best strategy is to strategically discard your cards during the pyramid phase by matching them with the flipped cards.
9.7. Can you play Ride the Bus with a modified deck of cards?
You can play with a modified deck, but it may affect the game’s balance and strategy.
9.8. What happens if two players have the same number of cards and the same highest-value card at the end of the pyramid phase?
The player with the next-highest card in their hand rides the bus. If those cards are also the same, continue comparing cards until a difference is found.
9.9. Are there any age restrictions for playing Ride the Bus?
If alcohol is involved, players must be of legal drinking age. Otherwise, there are no age restrictions.
9.10. How long does a game of Ride the Bus typically last?
A game of Ride the Bus can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the number of players and the pace of the game.
10. Ready to Play?
Now that you know the rules, strategies, and variations of the Ride the Bus drinking game, you’re ready to gather your friends, grab a deck of cards, and start playing. Remember to drink responsibly and have fun! If you encounter any issues with your Polar products, don’t hesitate to visit polarservicecenter.net for assistance.
At polarservicecenter.net, we’re committed to providing you with the resources you need to enjoy your Polar devices and stay informed. Our team of experts is always available to answer your questions and provide guidance. Contact us today for assistance. Our address is 2902 Bluff St, Boulder, CO 80301, United States and phone number is +1 (303) 492-7080.
