Ride the Bus is a challenging and fun drinking game that requires strategy and luck. The game involves using cards to create a pyramid of your own, and must correctly guess the suit or rank of each card to avoid drinking.
In this article, we’ll show you how to play the game, the rules, setup, and tips for a great time.
How to Play The First Part of The Game
The rules of Ride the Bus are as follows:
1. The game is typically played with a group of three or more people.
2. Each player is dealt four cards face down.
3. The remaining cards are placed in a draw pile.
4. The game is played in four rounds, each with its own set of rules.
5. In the first round, players must guess the suit of the card. If they are correct, they move on to the next card. If they are incorrect, they must drink.
6. In the second round, players must guess the rank of the card. If they are correct, they move on to the next card. If they are incorrect, they must drink.
7. In the third round, players must guess whether the next card will be higher or lower than the previous card. If they are correct, they move on to the next card. If they are incorrect, they must drink.
8. In the fourth round, players must guess the exact card. If they are correct, they win the game. If they are incorrect, they must drink.
Each Round Of The First part of the Game Explained With an Example
To make it easier for you we break down each round of the first part of the game with an example:
Round 1: Suit Guessing
- The dealer lays out four cards face down in a row.
- The first card is turned over and it’s the 6 of hearts.
- The player must guess the suit of the card and says “diamonds.”
- The card is not a diamond, so the player must drink.
- The next player has a turn and guesses the suit of the next card.
Round 2: Rank Guessing
- The dealer lays out four cards face down in a row.
- The first card is turned over and it’s the 7 of spades.
- The player must guess the rank of the card and says “eight.”
- The card is not an eight, so the player must drink.
- The next player has a turn and guesses the rank of the next card.
Round 3: Higher or Lower
- The dealer lays out four cards face up in a row.
- The first card is the 10 of diamonds.
- The player must guess if the next card will be higher or lower and says “higher.”
- The next card is the Jack of clubs, which is higher, so the player moves on to the next card.
- The player continues guessing if the next card will be higher or lower.
Round 4: Red or Black
- The dealer lays out four cards face up in a row.
- The first card is the Queen of hearts.
- The player must guess if the next card will be red or black and says “red.”
- The next card is the 2 of clubs, which is black, so the player must drink.
- The player continues guessing if the next card will be red or black.
Second part of the game: Building the Pyramid:
- Before the game begins, the dealer lays out a pyramid of cards face down.
- The first row of the pyramid has one card, the second row has two cards, and so on, until the fifth row has five cards.
- The dealer then deals out four cards to each player, with the remaining deck placed in the center of the table.
- To begin the game, the dealer turns over the first card of the pyramid.
- If a player has a card that matches the card in the pyramid, they can place it on the pyramid and choose another player to take a drink.
- If a player does not have a matching card, they must draw a card from the deck.
- This process continues for each card in the pyramid until the pyramid is complete.
Third part of the game: Riding the Bus:
- After the pyramid phase is complete, the dealer shuffles the deck and places it face down on the table.
- The dealer then turns over the first card in the deck.
- If the card is a red card, all players must guess if the next card will be higher or lower. If the card is a black card, all players must guess if the next card will be red or black.
- The dealer then turns over the next card in the deck.
- If a player guesses correctly, they move on to the next card. If they guess incorrectly, they must take a drink and start over with the first card again.
- This process continues for each card in the deck until all players have successfully guessed the next card or until the end of the deck is reached.
- If a player successfully guesses all four cards in a row, they can make another player take a drink.
Rules of Ride the Bus
To ensure that the game is played safely and responsibly, here are some rules to follow:
1. Players must be of legal drinking age.
2. Drink responsibly and do not exceed your limits.
3. No physical contact is allowed while playing the game.
4. If a player cannot or does not want to complete the guess, they must drink.
5. Do not pressure or force anyone to drink.
Tips for Making the Most of Ride the Bus
Here are some tips for maximizing your enjoyment of the game:
1. Use a beer with a low alcohol content to avoid getting too drunk too quickly.
2. Play in a well-lit and spacious room to avoid accidents and injuries.
3. Use a sturdy and stable table to avoid spills and injuries.
4. Be strategic with your guesses, as some cards may be easier to guess than others.
5. Keep track of the cards that have already been played to improve your chances of guessing correctly.
6. Be prepared to drink, as the game can be challenging and difficult to win.
7. Assign a designated driver or arrange for alternative transportation if necessary.
FAQs
Can Ride the Bus be played with less than three people?
While Ride the Bus is typically played with a group of three or more people, it can be adapted for smaller groups by using a smaller deck of cards or altering the rules.
What happens if a player guesses incorrectly in the fourth round?
If a player guesses incorrectly in the fourth round, they must drink.
Can players help each other guess the cards?
No, players must guess the cards on their own.
Conclusion
Ride the Bus is a challenging and fun drinking game for groups that requires strategy and luck. By following the rules and tips outlined in this article, you’re sure to have a memorable and enjoyable experience.
Remember to drink responsibly, take breaks as needed, and most importantly, have fun! With its unique gameplay and challenging rules, Ride the Bus is a great game to play with friends and family.
Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, “Ride the Bus” is sure to provide hours of entertainment and excitement. So, gather your friends, grab your drinks, and get ready to ride the bus!