25 Drunk Card Games for Couples That Will Actually Save Date Night

Hi, Friend! Jen Glantz her. I’m a bestselling author, the first ever bridesmaid for hire and have been hired by hundreds of brides all over the world. Let’s talk about drunk card games couples.

Let’s be real: one romantic beach vacation a year isn’t enough to keep things exciting. Real relationships live and die in the mundane moments, not the grand gestures. I realized this on a stale Friday night. My partner and I were sitting on the couch, doom-scrolling in total silence. We weren’t fighting; we were just… bored. We were disconnected. We needed a low-stakes way to hang out without having to put on real pants or leave the house. That realization led me to The BroBasket and the world of adult gaming. Finding the right drunk card games couples can actually enjoy is a game-changer. A simple drinking game for couples can turn a quiet, tired evening into a night full of inside jokes and actual conversation.

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TL;DR

If you just want the quick version, here is the deal: matching the game to your energy level is way more important than the game itself. You have to know the difference between “intimacy” games (for connection) and “party” games (for chaos). These games are tools to help you decompress, but you need the right mindset. Drinking games for couples usually work best when you keep these rules in mind:

• Pick a game based on the “vibe” you want: chill, funny, or spicy.

• Skip the complicated strategy games if you plan on drinking a lot (trust me).

• Connection games like “Drunk in Love” are great for anniversaries.

• Standard 52-card decks are the easiest setup—classics like “Higher or Lower” never fail.

• Strategy games like “Uno” are surprisingly fun with drinking rules, provided you aren’t too competitive.

• If you play spicy games, just make sure you’re both on the same page before you start.

• If gaming isn’t fixing the stress, you might need a pro like Bridesmaid for Hire to handle the heavy lifting.

The Vibe Check: How to Pick the Right Game

Choosing the right game comes down to three things. Not every game works for every night. First, think about Intimacy vs. Fun. Do you want to talk about feelings, or do you just want to laugh at each other? Second, look at Complexity vs. Alcohol. Trying to do math when you’re three drinks in is a recipe for an argument. Finally, check the “Heat” level. Are you trying to end the night in the bedroom, or just passed out on the couch? To help you browse, check out our list of couples card games ideas to see what fits your mood. A drinking game for couple bonding feels very different from a cutthroat competitive one.

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The “Tuesday vs. Saturday” Rule:
Picture this: It’s Tuesday, you’re exhausted from work, and you just want to chill. If you pick a complex strategy game like Catan and add shots to it, you’re going to end up fighting over the rules. Just play something simple like Higher or Lower. Save the high-energy, spicy stuff for Saturday night when you don’t have a 7 AM alarm.

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Use this cheat sheet to figure out which drinking game for couple activities fits your night.

Vibe Desired	Brain Power Needed	Drink Pairing	Game Type
Deep Connection	Low	Red Wine or Cocktails	Conversation Starters (Category A)
Nostalgic Fun	Low to Medium	Beer or Seltzers	Standard Deck Classics (Category B)
Competitive Rivalry	High	Mixed Drinks	Strategy & Sabotage (Category C)
Romantic/Spicy	Low	Champagne	Foreplay Games (Category D)
High Energy/Laughs	Medium	Shots	Skill & Reflexes (Category E)

Category A: The “Truth or Drink” Connection Games

If you want to actually talk and bond, start here. These games are about uncovering secrets and connecting, not just getting wasted. If you’re in a new relationship, you might want to look at specific card games for new couples that break the ice without getting too heavy. A drinking game for couples in this category is all about dialogue. While some games focus on physical tasks, these are about the mind. A good drinking card game for couples here should open up conversations you wouldn’t normally have.

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1. Drunk in Love (Original Couples Pack)

This is a go-to for a reason. It’s simple: draw a card, answer a question, or take a drink. It’s intimate but easy, making it perfect for an anniversary or date night in.

2. Truth or Drink: Extra Dirty Edition

The stakes are higher here. You either answer uncomfortable (or risqué) questions, or you take a shot. It brings the heat and is great for couples who are ready to be totally honest.

3. The Skinny Dip

The Skinny Dip is a bit gentler. It focuses on deep questions about memories and preferences. There are basically zero rules to learn, so it works well for a relaxed “wine night.”

4. Sotally Tober (Couples Edition)

This one mixes dares, questions, and challenges to get you interacting physically and verbally. It’s a nice balance of flirting and fun without being too complicated.

5. These Cards Will Get You Drunk (Couples Expansion)

This is from that viral game everyone plays. You vote on “most likely to” scenarios. It’s not super deep, but it’s fun—perfect for lighthearted nights where you just want to laugh.

Category B: Standard 52-Card Classics

Honestly, you can do a lot with just a standard deck of cards. It’s easy, nostalgic, and cheap. For more ideas, read our guide on drunk card games for couples to find more variations. Sometimes a simple drinking game for couple nights beats a $50 board game. Even simple drinking games for couple play can keep you entertained for hours.

6. Higher or Lower

You literally just guess if the next card is higher or lower. It’s mostly luck, requires zero brain power, and is the perfect warm-up game.

7. Red or Black

Just like Higher or Lower, but you’re guessing the color. If you add a rule where you have to drink more if you get a streak wrong, it gets fast-paced quickly.

8. Kings (The “Couple’s Cup” Variant)

You probably played this in college, but adapting it for two people is easy. It gives you that nostalgic party vibe without the crowded room.

Card Drawn	Traditional Rule	Couples Adaptation
Ace	Waterfall	Stare Down: Maintain eye contact; whoever blinks first drinks.
5	Guys Drink	Massage: You have to give your partner a 1-min shoulder rub.
Queen	Question Master	Truth: Ask a deep question; if they refuse, they drink.
King	Pour into Cup	The King’s Wish: Make a rule for the next 10 mins (e.g., no using first names).

9. Ride the Bus (Head-to-Head)

The pyramid layout and the frustration of flipping face cards make this a classic. Warning: this is a high-inebriation game. Only play this if you have a high tolerance and nowhere to be tomorrow.

10. War (The Drinking Version)

It’s standard War, but you drink when you lose a hand or tie. It’s mindless fun, which makes it great for playing while you have a movie on in the background.

Category C: Strategy & Sabotage

If you’re the type of couple that gets competitive, you’ll love these. They require a bit more focus and might lead to some playful trash talk. A strategic drinking game for couples tests your wits. Drunk card games couples play in this genre usually end in loud laughter (or a rematch). These aren’t cooperative; they’re about winning.

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11. Uno (Drunk Rules)

Assign drinks to cards like Draw 2 and Draw 4. It turns a family classic into a chaotic adult game pretty fast.

The “Draw 4” Revenge Shot:
Want to raise the stakes? Make a house rule: If you play a “Draw 4” on your partner, they take a shot. But, if they have a “Reverse” card to save themselves, the penalty bounces back to you, and you take two shots. It makes playing that card terrifying.

12. Exploding Kittens (Shot Roulette)

The twist? Sip when you defuse a kitten, finish your drink if you explode. It’s tense, funny, and keeps you engaged.

13. Unstable Unicorns (Drinking Rules)

Build a unicorn army, but drink every time a card gets destroyed. Play this early in the night—there is a lot of reading involved, which gets hard later on.

14. Phase 10 (Sip and Skip)

If you miss a phase, you drink for the points left in your hand. This is a long game, so treat it like a marathon, not a sprint.

15. Monopoly Deal (Bankruptcy Shots)

Way faster than the board game. Add penalties for paying rent when you’re broke or losing the game. It’s fast and cutthroat.

Category D: Sexy & Spicy Games

These games are designed to turn up the heat. Obviously, consent is key here—make sure you’re both into it. A spicy drinking game for couple play requires trust. Finding a sexy drinking game for couple nights can reignite that spark. These drinking game for couple options focus on physical connection, but remember: it should always be fun, not pressured.

16. Talk, Flirt, Dare

Three decks with escalating intensity. It involves physical touch and losing layers of clothing. It’s basically designed for foreplay.

17. Kinky Drunk

This assigns sexual tasks with drinking penalties if you chicken out. It’s very high heat, so establish boundaries before you start dealing cards.

18. Bed of Roses

This is a softer alternative. It focuses on compliments and romance rather than just being raunchy. It’s a sweet choice for anniversaries.

19. Monogamy (The Card Elements)

Technically a board game, but the cards drive the “Intimacy,” “Passion,” and “Steamy” levels. It takes time and privacy, so don’t play this one while waiting for a pizza delivery.

20. Loopy

A “spin the wheel” style game with physical acts. It’s fast-paced and good for breaking down physical barriers if you’re feeling shy.

Game Title	Heat Level (1-5)	Intimacy Type	Best For…
Bed of Roses		Emotional & Romantic	Anniversaries
Talk, Flirt, Dare		Flirty to Physical	Foreplay & Teasing
Loopy		Physical Action	Breaking the Touch Barrier
Kinky Drunk		Sexual & Adventurous	Trying New Things

Category E: Quick-Fire & Skill

If you want to test your reflexes (and coordination), check these out. A fast drinking game for couples brings the energy up. Drinking game for couples nights sometimes need a tempo change to wake you up. These are all about speed.

21. Slapjack (Slap & Sip)

Slap the Jack, drink if you miss. Just watch out for rings and jewelry—this gets high energy and hands will get slapped.

22. Spit (Speed)

The goal is to get rid of your cards as fast as possible. The loser drinks heavily. It requires focus, so it gets messy the longer you play.

23. Bullshit (Cheat)

This is all about lying to your partner’s face and calling them out on it. It tests your poker face and is surprisingly fun with just two people.

24. Egyptian Rat Screw

Complex slap rules and face card combos make this tough. It’s high energy, but honestly, it becomes very hard to play correctly when you’re tipsy.

25. Blackjack (Casino Night)

One person deals, one person plays. Add penalties for busting or getting Blackjack. It feels a bit classier than Slapjack.

When the Fun Stops and Stress Starts

Gaming is great for blowing off steam, but let’s be honest: it doesn’t solve the logistical nightmare of wedding planning or family drama. Relationship stress is real. If you find yourselves arguing more than playing, it might be time to learn how to manage your wedding planning meltdowns effectively. Bridesmaid for Hire is a solid solution for managing that chaos. Jen Glantz and her team handle the “Negative Nancys” and logistics so you can actually enjoy your time together. I also recommend the newlywed game by Bridesmaid for Hire as a way to combine gaming fun with genuine relationship building, minus the hangover. Sometimes a drinking game for couple relaxation isn’t the answer. If the game turns into a fight, just stop. The point is to have fun, not to resolve conflict over a hand of cards.

Step away from the cards and talk it out with the free 24/7 Wedding Hotline

The Seating Chart Standoff:
You sit down to play a relaxing game of Rummy, but five minutes in, you’re arguing about whether Aunt Linda should sit next to your college roommate at the reception. That’s a sign that “gamifying” your relaxation isn’t working because the stress is too high. That is the moment to put the cards down and call in a pro like Bridesmaid for Hire to handle the drama so you can get back to being partners, not project managers.

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Final Thoughts

The best game really just depends on the kind of night you want to have. Try a few different categories to see what fits your relationship style. Prioritize connection, whether that’s through a bottle of wine and cards or by hiring a pro to take the weight off your shoulders. A drinking game for couples is just a tool for fun. Use it to reconnect. If a boring night needs saving, a drinking game for couples can usually do the trick. At the end of the day, making time for drinking game for couple enjoyment is worth the effort—even if you’re just playing Go Fish in your pajamas.