Drunk Jenga

1 Overview

Drunk Jenga (also called Drunken Jenga or Tipsy Tower) is a drinking game version of the classic Jenga block-stacking game. Before playing, write a drinking rule on each of the 54 wooden blocks. Players take turns pulling blocks from the tower and following whatever rule is written on them. If the tower falls on your turn, you face a penalty drink.

It is one of the easiest party drinking games to customize for your group's humor and tolerance level. You can make it as mild or as wild as you want. Best for 3 to 8 players.

Drink responsibly. Know your limits.

2 Setup

1. Using a permanent marker, write one rule on each of the 54 Jenga blocks. Keep rules visible and legible -- write on the flat broad face of each block.
2. Build the Jenga tower (alternating rows of 3 blocks, perpendicular to the row below).
3. Make sure everyone has a drink.
4. Decide the collapse penalty before starting (typically "finish your drink" or "take 3 drinks").

You can pre-write the blocks once and reuse them indefinitely, or write fresh rules each time for variety.

3 Gameplay

1. On your turn, use one hand to pull any block from below the highest completed row.
2. Place the pulled block on top of the tower.
3. Read the rule on the block and follow it immediately.
4. If the tower falls during your pull or placement, you drink the collapse penalty.
5. Play passes to the left.

Standard Jenga rules apply: one hand only, you can touch blocks to test stability but must replace them without removing if you start with a different block.

4 Rule Ideas for Blocks

Customize for your group. Here are popular categories:

Drink Rules (simple, use liberally)

• Take 1 drink / Take 2 drinks / Take 3 drinks
• Finish your drink
• Give 2 drinks (assign to anyone)
• Everyone drinks
• Player to your left drinks
• Player to your right drinks

Social Rules

• Waterfall: everyone starts drinking, you stop first, then person to your left, etc.
• Categories: name a category (brands of beer, countries, etc.) and go around until someone fails
• Thumb master: you become thumb master until someone else draws this block
• Never have I ever (one round)
• Truth or Dare (caller's choice)

Challenge Rules

• Arm wrestle: loser drinks
• Rock Paper Scissors vs. player of your choice: loser drinks
• Name 5 [topic] in 10 seconds or drink
• Impression: do your best impression or drink
• Most likely to... (everyone points, most fingers = drinks)

Wildcard Rules

• Make a rule: invent a new rule for the rest of the game
• No first names for the rest of the game (violations = drink)
• No pointing (violations = drink)
• Swap seats with someone
• Free block: no rule, skip your turn

5 Tips

• Target middle blocks from lower rows. Middle blocks in lower rows have two neighbors supporting the upper structure and can often be removed cleanly. End blocks on lower rows destabilize the tower faster.
• Use one finger to test before committing. Gently push a block to feel if it moves freely before gripping it. If it resists, try a different block.
• Slow is fast. Panicky, jerky pulls cause collapses. Smooth, slow extraction is almost always safer.
• Write a mix of rules. 15 to 20 "drink 1 or 2" blocks, 10 social rules, 10 challenges, 10 wildcards, and a handful of "finish your drink" blocks makes for a balanced game that doesn't get brutal too fast.

8 FAQ