The Irish poker drinking game is a fun, social card game that's perfect for parties or gatherings with friends.
Combining elements of traditional poker with drinking game twists, it offers excitement and unpredictability. The game is easy to learn and requires only a deck of cards, a group of players, and some drinks.
In the Irish poker drinking game, players take turns guessing the outcome of card flips, with correct guesses leading to others drinking and incorrect guesses resulting in penalties for the guesser. The mix of luck and strategy makes the Irish poker drinking game a favourite for those looking to have a good time.
Below is a guide on how to play the Irish Poker drinking game, including rules, tips and everything else you need to get started.
How to play Irish poker drinking game
The Irish poker drinking game is a fun, simple card game that combines elements of traditional poker with drinking challenges. To play, you’ll need a standard deck of cards, drinks, and a group of friends. The game typically begins with each player receiving four cards, placed face down in front of them, which they cannot look at initially. Below are the various rounds that typically unfold, as well as the Irish poker drinking game rules.
Round 1: Red or black?
The first round starts with players guessing whether the first card in their hand is red or black. If they guess correctly, they assign one drink to another player (the amount assigned can be chosen by the group), but if incorrect they must take one drink themselves.
For example, if a player guesses their card is red and it turns out to be a red card (hearts or diamonds), they are correct and can assign one drink. If the card is black (spades or clubs), their guess is incorrect and they must drink.
Round 2: Higher or lower?
After the first card has been guessed correctly or incorrectly by all the players, the next round involves the player guessing if the second card is higher or lower than the first card revealed in their hand. Again, correct guesses allow the player to assign drinks, while incorrect guesses result in the player drinking. However, round-by-round the jeopardy increases meaning correct and incorrect guesses are now worth two drinks.
For example, if the first card is a three, the probability is that the next card will be higher, so the player should guess higher. It is also worth noting that aces are usually considered low, so they are lower than all other cards.
Round 3: In between or outside?
Next, the players have to guess if the third card is in between or outside the range of their first two cards. Correct guesses lead to assigning drinks (three this time), while wrong guesses mean more drinking for the player in question.
Round 4: What suit is it?
The final round has players predicting the suit of their fourth card. If correct, the player assigns four drinks, but if incorrect, must take four drinks themselves.
For example, if a player guesses that their fourth card is a spade and the card revealed is indeed a spade, they are correct and can choose another player to take the drinks. If the revealed card is a diamond, heart or club, their guess is incorrect, and they must take the drinks themselves.
Final round: Ride the Bus
After the four rounds, players can play a further round called “Ride the Bus”. This round works as follows.
Eight community cards from the remaining deck are laid face down on the table, arranged in two rows of four. The top row of the ‘bus’ represents drinks that are to be assigned, while the bottom row of the ‘bus’ represents drinks that are to be taken.
First, one card in the top row is revealed and players look at their four upturned cards to see if they have a match. For example, if one player has a 10 in their hand and a 10 is revealed in the centre, then they have a match (irrespective of suit) and can assign one drink to another player of their choice.
Next, the first card from the second layer is revealed and any players with matching cards must themselves take one drink.
As with the previous four rounds, the jeopardy increases with each round, so for the second cards in each layer players should assign or take two drinks, and this increases to three and four drinks respectively for the final two cards in each layer that are revealed.
With the tension being racked up due to the increased jeopardy, the Irish poker drinking game Ride the Bus round is the ideal way to end proceedings!
Irish poker drinking game variations
While the above rounds are the most common when playing the Irish poker drinking game, there are also a number of other variations and different versions of the game that can be played.
Rapid-fire Irish poker
For those who love a challenge, this version introduces a time limit for each round. Players must make their guesses quickly, adding a sense of urgency and excitement. Hesitate, and you might end up drinking more than you planned!
Irish Poker with dice
Players can opt to use dice instead of cards. Players can guess whether the roll will be odd or even, higher or lower than the previous roll, or predict the exact number for added difficulty.
Blindfolded Irish poker
This version involves each player having one of their cards placed face-up in front of them that they can’t see, but everyone else can. This twist introduces an element of deception, making players rely on their intuition and reading their opponents’ reactions when making their guesses.
Bluffing Irish poker
Add a layer of bluffing by allowing players to challenge opponents’ guesses. If a player thinks the guesser is wrong, they can call them out. If the challenge is correct, the guesser drinks, but if not, the challenger drinks!
Have fun, responsibly!
The Irish poker drinking game is meant to be a fun, social drinking game that is enjoyed with friends. Always remember to play and drink responsibly.
Find out more about the Irish Poker Open here.
