Overview
Ride the Bus is a popular drinking card game that involves a combination of luck and strategy. The game is simple to learn but can get quite competitive as the rounds progress. The objective of the game is to avoid being the player who has to “ride the bus,” which usually involves drinking a large quantity of alcohol. Here’s a detailed guide on how to play Ride the Bus:
Equipment Needed
- A standard deck of 52 playing cards
- Alcoholic beverages (optional)
- Friends to play with
Setup
Before starting the game, shuffle the deck of cards and place them face down in the center of the table. Each player should have a drink of their choice ready.
Gameplay
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to play Ride the Bus:
1. Dealer Selection
One player is chosen to be the dealer for the first round. The dealer will shuffle the cards and deal them out in a pyramid formation with five rows. The first row should have just one card, the second row two cards, and so on until the fifth row has five cards.
2. Guessing Game
Starting with the first row, the dealer will turn over each card one by one. Before each card is revealed, the players must guess whether the next card will be higher or lower in value than the previous card.
3. Drinking Penalty
If a player guesses incorrectly, they must drink according to the row they are in:
- First row: Sip of drink
- Second row: Two sips
- Third row: Three sips
- Fourth row: Finish half of their drink
- Fifth row: Finish their drink and is the person who must “ride the bus” in the next round
4. Riding the Bus
Once the pyramid is completed, the player who ended up in the fifth row must “ride the bus.” This usually involves a designated drinking challenge or a significant amount of alcohol to consume.
Variations
Ride the Bus has many variations that can make the game more challenging or interesting. Some popular variations include:
- Blind Bus: The player who has to “ride the bus” must flip over the next card in the deck without looking and drink according to the card’s value.
- Wildcard: Designate a card as a wildcard that can be used as a substitute for any other card.
- Decreasing Rows: Start with a larger pyramid (e.g., 7 rows) and work your way down to a single card.
Strategy Tips
While Ride the Bus is a game of chance, there are some strategies that players can use to increase their chances of avoiding riding the bus:
- Pay Attention: Keep track of the cards that have been revealed to make more informed guesses.
- Take Risks: Sometimes it’s worth taking a chance on a card that seems unlikely to be higher or lower.
- Bluff: Pretend to be confident in your guesses to throw off other players.
Conclusion
Ride the Bus is a fun and interactive card game that is perfect for social gatherings or parties. With a mix of luck and strategy, players can enjoy the thrill of trying to avoid being the one who has to “ride the bus.” Remember to drink responsibly and have a great time playing this entertaining game!
