Waterfall is a popular drinking card game known for its chaotic and social nature. While the basic rules are simple, variations exist, so understanding the core mechanics is key to a fun and fair game. This guide will cover the standard rules and answer some frequently asked questions.
How to Play Waterfall: The Basic Rules
The game uses a standard deck of 52 playing cards. The goal isn't to "win" in the traditional sense, but to outlast your opponents by strategically managing your drinks.
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Dealing the Cards: Shuffle the deck thoroughly and deal each player an equal number of cards. Any remaining cards are set aside.
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The First Card: The player to the dealer's left starts by placing a card face up in the center of the playing area.
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Card Values and Actions: The value of the card dictates the action:
- 2: Everyone drinks.
- 3: Girls drink.
- 4: Guys drink.
- 5: Waterfall (explained below).
- 6: Choose someone to drink.
- 7: Heaven (explained below).
- 8: Mate (explained below).
- 9: Rhyme (explained below).
- 10: Categories (explained below).
- Jack: Make a rule (explained below).
- Queen: Question Master (explained below).
- King: Waterfall (explained below, but longer).
- Ace: Waterfall (explained below, and the longest).
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Waterfall (5, K, A): This is the game's namesake. When a 5, King or Ace is played, everyone starts drinking simultaneously. The first person to stop drinking must keep drinking until the next person stops, and so on, creating a "waterfall" effect. The longer the card value, the longer the waterfall lasts. A 5 is the shortest waterfall, the King is longer, and the Ace is the longest.
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Heaven: When a 7 is played, everyone must raise their hand. The last person to raise their hand drinks.
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Mate: When an 8 is played, the player chooses a drinking buddy. Whatever one drinks, the other must also drink.
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Rhyme: When a 9 is played, the player says a word, and everyone must take turns saying a word that rhymes. If someone can't think of a rhyme, or repeats a word, they drink.
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Categories: When a 10 is played, the player chooses a category (e.g., animals, cars, fruits). Players then take turns naming things in that category. If someone repeats or can't name something, they drink.
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Make a Rule (Jack): The player who plays a Jack can create a new rule for the game. This rule is in effect until another Jack is played. Rules should be reasonable and not excessively punitive.
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Question Master (Queen): The player who plays a Queen becomes the Question Master for the round. They can ask any player a question. If a player doesn't answer quickly enough or answers incorrectly, they must drink.
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Continuing the Game: After completing the action associated with the card, the next player places their card face up, and the game continues until the cards run out or players are too inebriated to continue.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I change the rules of Waterfall?
Yes, Waterfall is highly adaptable. Many groups modify the rules, add new actions to different cards, or create entirely new card values and their corresponding actions. The key is to ensure everyone agrees on the rules before starting.
What happens if someone runs out of cards?
They are out of the game, but can still participate and watch or encourage other players.
How many people can play Waterfall?
The more people, the more chaotic and fun it tends to be. You can play with as few as two people but larger groups generally provide a more dynamic experience.
Is there a winning condition?
There isn't a traditional "winner." The game is about social interaction and enjoying the experience. The last person who is able to continue playing (who still has cards) could be considered the winner, in a way.
How do I make Waterfall more challenging?
You can increase the number of drinks per action, implement stricter time limits for certain challenges (like the Rhyme or Categories), or create more complex house rules. Remember to always drink responsibly.
Remember to drink responsibly and never drink and drive. This game is intended for entertainment purposes only. Always prioritize your safety and well-being.
