21 (drinking game)
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- This article is about a drinking game. For the card game also known as 21, see Blackjack. For the basketball game "twenty-one", see Variations of basketball.
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21 is a drinking game typically played by players sitting in a circle. The game begins with one player calling the direction of play by saying, "To my left" or "To my right". That player will then also say a number, or string of numbers. The choice of numbers will dictate the direction of the game from then on.
Saying one number (i.e. "one") will cause the game to pass to the next player in line (and in the direction initially declared). Two numbers (i.e. "one, two") will reverse the direction of the game from that initially declared. Three numbers will continue the game in the original direction but will skip one player.
The onus of calling out the next number in the sequence will pass according to the string of numbers declared by the preceding player.
For example, an initial call of "To my left, one", will mean that the player to the immediate left of the starter must say the next number, which in this case is "two". Alternatively, a call of "To my left, one, two", will mean that the player to the immediate right of the starter must say the next number, which in this case is "three". Finally, a call of "To my left, one, two, three", will mean that the player to the immediate left but one must say the next number, which in this case is "four".
The player with the onus of calling the next number has the same option; he may call one, two or three numbers. The direction of play will chop and change accordingly. The one exception to this is the restriction on calling two numbers following a two-number call. This is referred to as 'doubling a double', and in some versions of the game is prohibited so as to make sure that play does not get stuck between two players. Some versions also prohibit calling two numbers after a string of three numbers, i.e. so the next person to call is the person that was missed out; this is known as "reversing into a hole" or, in some circles, "rogering the chaplain's daughter".
Assuming there are no mistakes, the game will continue in sequence up to number 21. The player who finds himself burdened with calling number 21 is liable to consume his entire remaining beverage.
The object of the game is to ensure the sequence continues to number 21 - the group objective. At the same time players will not wish to be the one to say 21 and be liable to consume their entire beverage, so skillful use of the numbers will be required to direct the play away from themselves. Clearly this is a game of concentration.
When the sequence reaches 21, the losing player having just consumed their entire beverage is given the consolation of making a new rule to the game, before it begins again. New rules commonly take the form of replacing a number or group of numbers (multiple of 5 are...) with a word phrase, ("TEN is now 'I love Chocolate cake!'") or action (the umpires signals for 4 and 6 for example) or swapping the place of numbers e.g. "swap 3 and 8" so the series would be 1, 2, 8, 4, 5, 6, 7, 3, 9... Twenty-One itself is not normally changed.
21 is a nomic game.
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[edit] Mistakes
- Failing to call out the next number in the sequence when it is your turn to do so, or only after undue hesistancy.
- Calling out the wrong number.
- Calling a number out of turn.
- Breach of new rules
A mistake will cause the sequence to stop. A penalty will then be issued to the player at fault before the game restarts.
The penalty for a mistake is usually an order to consume two finger's width 'fingers' of one's beverage.
Saying the number "twenty-one" is itself a punishable error; usually with two fingers but occasionally with a whole pint as if the speaker had said it in the course of the game. Instead, the phrase "twenty-plus-one" may be used to refer to the game or to the number which must not be said.
One of the classic mistakes in 21 is for a player to say the number 18 on its own. The next player is then free to call 19 and 20, so that the first player is forced to call 21.
During the game, players will periodically need to visit the bar to replenish their drinks (it is best to buy in large rounds so that the number of trips is minimised). Sometimes, the person at the bar will miss the end of a sequence and its consequent new rule. In some traditions such people must not be told the new rule, but must work it out through observation and trial and error. The same applies to anyone joining the game halfway through.
[edit] Additional Rules
All the while the game goes there are other rules that players may enforce. A common example is to outlaw pointing throughout the game; participants who wish to mock failing players must point with their elbows.
Another example is the 'face-mister' concept whereby one player each round (from one reaching of 21 to the other) is appointed to make a 'face' which will be indicated by the chosen player before the round starts. The player may make the 'face' at any time and the last person to copy the 'face' is given a penalty. The game then continues until 21 is reached then a new 'face-mister' is appointed.
[edit] International drinking rules
This game is best played according to the International Drinking Rules.
