Waterfall Game Rules: How to Play & Card Rules

What's the Waterfall Game? 🤔

Ever found yourself needing a party game that's easy to learn, gets everyone involved, and doesn't require a ton of brainpower? Waterfall might just be your answer. It's a card-based drinking game that's more about luck and following some fun (and sometimes chaotic) rules than any deep strategy. It’s a classic for a reason.

What You'll Need 🛠️

You probably have these things already:

A Standard Deck of 52 Cards: Jokers are optional; they can add an extra layer if you're feeling it.
One Sturdy Bottle: This will sit in the middle.
Drinks: Whatever your group prefers.
Cups: One for each player.
Players: Generally, 4-12 people works well, but it's flexible.

Getting Set Up ⚙️

This part is straightforward:

Gather 'Round: Everyone sits in a circle around a table.
Centerpiece: Place the bottle in the middle.
The Card Ring: Carefully arrange the cards face down in a continuous circle around the bottle, making sure they're all touching.

How to Play Waterfall 🎲

Once you're set, here's how it goes:

Starting Player: Often the oldest player starts, or you can decide randomly. Play then moves clockwise.
Draw a Card: On your turn, gently pick one card from the circle. Try your best not to break the ring – it's easier said than done sometimes!
Follow the Card's Rule: Each card has an action or rule (detailed below).
Stack It: After the action, place the card on top of the center bottle. This stack will grow and get more precarious as the game goes on.
Penalties:
- If a player breaks the circle of cards when drawing, they take a penalty drink (often a sip from the center bottle or their own drink, decide beforehand).
- Same penalty if a player knocks over the stack of cards on the bottle.
Game End: The game continues until all cards from the circle are drawn.

The Cards & Their Rules 📜

Here's what each card means:

Red 2, 3, or 4: Give Sips 🥤
- You assign sips matching the card's number. You can give them all to one person or split them up.
Black 2, 3, or 4: Take Sips 🥤
- You take sips matching the card's number.
Five: Partner 🍻
- Choose another player as your partner. For the rest of the game (or until another 5 is drawn), whenever one of you drinks, the other drinks too.
Six: Never Have I Ever 💬
- Everyone holds up three fingers. Starting with you, each player says "Never have I ever..." (something they haven't done). If others have done it, they lower a finger. The first player with no fingers left drinks. If you need ideas, there are plenty of Never Have I Ever questions out there.
Seven: Category 💡
- You pick a category (e.g., "Car Brands," "Animals," "Breakfast Cereals"). Going clockwise, each player names something in that category. The first to hesitate or repeat drinks.
Eight: Finger On Nose 👆
- Keep this card. Later, at any point, you can subtly put your finger on your nose. Other players must race to do the same. The last one to do so, drinks.
Nine: Make a Rule 📜
- You create a new rule that everyone must follow for the rest of the game (e.g., "no using first names," "must tap your head before drinking"). This rule is absolute, even over a King.
Ten: Waterfall! 🌊
- When a Ten is drawn, everyone starts drinking their beverage.
- The player who drew the Ten starts. The player to their left starts drinking too and can only stop when the Ten-drawer stops.
- This continues around the circle: each player can only stop drinking when the person to their right stops.
- It ends when the player who drew the Ten stops drinking.
Jack: Guys Drink 💂‍♂️
- All the guys playing take a drink.
Queen: Girls Drink 👸
- All the girls playing take a drink.
King: Ruler 👑
- You're The Ruler. You can make players do minor things or set temporary rules that apply while you hold this title (until the next King is drawn). Some like to place the card on their forehead.
Ace: Sniper 🔫
- Keep this card. When you choose, make a "gun" with your hand, point it at someone, and start counting. The target must say "STOP!" They then take sips equal to the number you counted to.
Joker (Optional): House Rule 🃏
- If using Jokers, the group decides their effect before the game (e.g., reverse play, skip a turn).

Mixing It Up: House Rules & Variations 🔥

Waterfall is very adaptable. Some common tweaks include:

Thumb Master: For the Eight, instead of "Finger on Nose," the cardholder becomes "Thumb Master" and can place their thumb on the table; last to follow drinks.
Combined Penalties: Decide if breaking the circle AND toppling the tower at once means two penalties.
King's Cup Elements: Some groups incorporate ideas from King's Cup, like pouring into a central cup with Kings.

The Dojo's Take 🍻

Waterfall is a solid party game because it's simple, interactive, and usually leads to a good few laughs. It fits right in with the kind of fun we like at Drinking Dojo – bringing people together. If you're after a game that blends luck and social interaction without too much complexity, Waterfall's worth a try.

Curious about other ways to boost your game nights? See how our Dojo features work.

Drink Responsibly 🙏

Remember, the aim is to have fun. Drink responsibly, know your limits, and make sure everyone's comfortable.

Your Questions Answered: FAQ ❓

What's the main difference between Waterfall and King's Cup/Ring of Fire? 🏓 They're similar, but Waterfall often emphasizes stacking cards on a central bottle and has specific penalties for breaking the card circle or tower. The "Waterfall" action for the 10 card is also a key feature. Ring of Fire is often another name for King's Cup.
How many people are ideal for Waterfall? 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Around 4-12 players usually makes for a good game, but it's adaptable.
What if the card tower on the bottle gets really unstable? 🍾 That's part of the challenge and fun! Players just need to be careful. If it seems too difficult, your group can always adjust.
Can we play Waterfall with non-alcoholic drinks? 💧 Of course. The game's mechanics are fun regardless of what's in the cups.
If a 'Nine' rule conflicts with a 'King's' rule, which wins? 📜 Traditionally, a rule made by a 'Nine' card is permanent for that game and overrides even a King's temporary command.
Are Jokers necessary? 🃏 Not at all. They're just an option if you want to add another layer of unpredictability.