Never Have I Ever

1 Overview

Never Have I Ever is a social drinking (or non-drinking) game for 3 to 20+ players that requires no equipment whatsoever. Players take turns making "Never have I ever..." statements about things they have never done. Anyone who HAS done the thing drinks (or loses a finger in the non-drinking version). The person who runs out of drinks (or fingers) first loses.

It is one of the most widely played party games in the world because it requires nothing, scales to any group size, and generates genuine conversation and revelations about the people you think you know. Works equally well as a casual icebreaker or a boozy party game.

Drink responsibly. Know your limits.

2 Setup

No materials required. Optionally:

• Each player starts with a full drink (drinking version)
• Each player holds up 10 fingers (finger version -- non-drinking)
• Cards from a "Never Have I Ever" card game deck if you want pre-written prompts

Sit in a circle or around a table. Choose who goes first -- typically the person who suggested playing or the youngest player.

3 Gameplay

1. The current player says a "Never have I ever..." statement about something they have genuinely never done.
2. All players who HAVE done that thing take a sip of their drink (or put down one finger).
3. No explaining required, but stories often emerge naturally -- this is part of what makes the game fun.
4. Play passes to the left. Repeat.

Key rule: You must be honest. Lying defeats the purpose and ruins the social dynamic. The game works because players are genuinely revealing things about themselves.

Confession option: Some groups play that if only one person drinks on a statement, they must briefly explain the story. Completely optional but highly entertaining.

4 Great Never Have I Ever Prompts

Classic (Safe for Most Groups)

• Never have I ever been on an airplane
• Never have I ever pulled an all-nighter
• Never have I ever eaten sushi
• Never have I ever broken a bone
• Never have I ever been to Europe
• Never have I ever won a trophy or award
• Never have I ever been in a car accident
• Never have I ever met a celebrity
• Never have I ever been camping
• Never have I ever been fired from a job

Funny / Embarrassing

• Never have I ever fallen asleep in public
• Never have I ever sent a text to the wrong person
• Never have I ever walked into a glass door
• Never have I ever cheated on a test
• Never have I ever lied about reading a book
• Never have I ever been mistaken for someone much older or younger
• Never have I ever pretended to be sick to skip school or work
• Never have I ever gotten lost in a place I've been before

Adventurous

• Never have I ever gone skydiving or bungee jumping
• Never have I ever been to a foreign country where I didn't speak the language
• Never have I ever hitchhiked
• Never have I ever eaten something I couldn't identify
• Never have I ever slept outside without a tent

5 Variants

Finger Version (Non-Drinking)

Each player holds up 10 fingers. Instead of drinking, players put down one finger for each statement they've done. First player with no fingers up loses (and typically drinks or does a dare).

10-Statement Game

Each player writes 10 "Never have I ever..." statements on paper before anyone shares them. Shuffle all papers, read anonymously, and guess who wrote each one. Add a drinking penalty for wrong guesses.

Card Game Version

Commercial "Never Have I Ever" card games include hundreds of pre-written prompts, removing the need to think of statements on the fly. Good for groups that run out of ideas quickly or want a structured experience.

6 FAQ