🍺 Up and Down the River – The drinking game in two phases
Number of players: 3–6
What you need: 32 cards (Skat deck – without 2–6)
Drinking factor: Moderate , but with shots it quickly gets wild .
🔄 Gameplay:
The game consists of two phases :
“Up the River” (Round 1) and “Down the River” (Round 2).
⬆️ Phase 1: Up the River – Every man for himself
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Each player receives 4 cards face up in front of them.
The cards remain visible. -
The dealer now reveals cards from the deck one after the other (e.g. 4 cards in a row).
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Whoever has a matching card in front of them has to drink.
→ Example: If a Queen of Hearts is drawn and you also have a Queen, you have to drink. -
For each match, you take a sip.
For example, if you have two matching cards in a round, you get two sips.
⬇️ Phase 2: Down the River – Now it’s time to distribute
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Now cards are drawn again – but this time each card is a drink distribution .
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The first card drawn = 1 sip , the second = 2 sips , etc.
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Whoever has a card in their hand that matches the card drawn,
may distribute the number of sips .→ Example: If a King of Clubs is drawn and you have a King, you may distribute 1 drink .
If a 9 of hearts is drawn on the third turn and you have a 9? → Distribute 3 sips!
🔁 Game end:
When all the “River cards” have been drawn, either the next round begins (new dealer) or you chill out and collect your last brain cells.
🍻 House rules (optional, but fun):
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All 4 cards match? → Drink a shot!
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Last river card? = “Kill Card” – everyone drinks!
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No match in a round? → You're the "dry one" – and still hand out a sip out of sympathy 😄
