Quarters
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Quarters is a popular drinking game which involves players bouncing a quarter off of a table in an attempt to have the quarter land, usually into a shotglass (or cup) on that table. The game is popular at parties, especially in colleges and universities in the United States and Canada.
The player bouncing the quarter is referred to as the "shooter". In some variations the glass is empty and each player has a separate glass to drink from, while in other variations the glass that the shooter is aiming for contains an alcoholic beverage.
The quarter is customarily bounced on the face whether heads or tails. Some games may allow a player to bounce the quarter on the edge, particularly by rolling it down their nose.
Contents |
[edit] Common variations
[edit] Standard Quarters
Players take turns shooting, generally proceeding counterclockwise around the table. If the quarter lands in the glass, then the shooter chooses any player in the game to take a drink, either from their own beverage, or perhaps from the glass containing the quarter. The shooter's turn ends when he or she misses.
After a miss the shooter passes the quarter to the next player. Sometimes, after a miss, the shooter can opt to play "chance", which gives them another attempt. A successful "chance" shot means the shooter can continue shooting normally, but a miss results in a penalty drink.
If the shooter hits three in a row, they are allowed to make up a rule, similar to the rules in President. Rules should be creative and fun, and can involve performing a ritual when drinking, or prohibiting certain common words. A player who breaks any of the rules must take a penalty drink. As the game progresses and the players become more and more inebriated, the many rules often prove difficult to remember.
Players are disqualified from the game when they cannot, or do not want to, consume any more beverage. The last remaining player is the winner.
[edit] Speed Quarters
Another popular variation on Quarters is played as a frantic, competitive game, with two quarters and two empty cups (glasses can be used, but are at risk of breaking). There should be at least four players around the table. Two players on opposite sides of the table are chosen to start at the same time, and each is given a quarter and a cup. In larger games of ten or more players, three cups may be placed at thirds around the table. Each player must attempt to successfully bounce their quarter into a cup as quickly as possible. If a player misses, the player must quickly try again. As soon as a player gets their quarter into the cup, they pass the quarter and the cup to the player on their right. If a player shoots the quarter into the cup on the first try, then they may pass it to any player at the table except the player who is currently shooting the other quarter (unless that player is directly to the right, in which case the player can pass it to the right in the normal manner). Another version of the game allows the player who shoots the quarter into the cup on the first try to choose to pass the cup either to the player on their right or on their left, letting the cup continue in that direction until it is sent back by another player or collides with the opposing cup.
If a player ever has both quarters at the same time, then the player is the loser. This happens when that player is attempting to get their quarter into the cup, but unsuccessfully, when the player to their left makes a shot and passes the second quarter and second cup to the loser. The player to the left is said to have "screwed" the loser, and signifies this by immediately stacking their own cup inside the loser's cup. This action serves to prevent the loser from attempting another shot, since often the loser is unaware that the player to the left has "screwed" them.
At this point, the loser is allowed one final shot into the stacked cups. If the loser misses, they must drink the penalty beverage, which is often a shot or a large portion (perhaps all) of a regular drink. If the loser makes the final shot, then the tables have been turned on the other players. Some rules insist that all other players take penalty drinks, others require only the player who "screwed" the loser to drink, and others give the loser the choice to make any player at the table drink. Sometimes the player who "screwed" the loser is given a single shot just like the loser had, and the two take turns shooting until someone misses. A brave loser is allowed a second or even third attempt to make their final shot by declaring "double or nothing" and taking another shot; missing requires drinking double or triple the penalty amount while winning absolves the loser of their debt.
Another option for the penalty beverage is that the player who "screwed" the loser is allowed to spin a quarter, and the loser has to drink a beer or a mixed drink for as long as the quarter remains standing. People playing may try to keep the quarter spinning, or even stop it with a finger in order to hold it up, (in this case most play that if the quarter is indeed stopped, the person drinking must finish the rest of their drink) in these cases the loser must still drink until the person allows the quarter to fall. In the case where the loser makes the first shot, they must then spin a quarter and everyone else drinks for as long as the loser allows it to spin.
After the loser has completed drinking, play typically resumes with the loser deciding who receives the cups to resume play, of course the loser may not give one player both cups, some rules specify more strictly how the cups are redistributed.
Substituting shot glasses for regular glasses tends to speed the game even further, as it is easier to make shots. In this variation, the gameplay is continuous, and each player has their own beer. In this way, players may be "screwed" several times while they are trying to drink from previous plays, or are fumbling for lost quarters. Generally a good penalty for being passed is a 2-3 second sip, as penalties occur far more often.
[edit] Aggressive Quarters
This variation often employed while playing another quarters game such as speed or standard quarters. Each player has a cup of their own. While the other game is in progress, those not involved in the main game attempt to bounce extra quarters into the cup of another player. If they make it, that player must drink the rest of the beer in their cup and remove the quarter. Players may or may not be allowed to cover their cups with their hands. Bowls sometimes are used to replace the cups, and when done the game is known as "Super Aggressive".
[edit] Baseball
In the baseball variation of quarters, four glasses are lined up in a row, each one slightly taller than the previous one, each marking single, double, triple, and home run. Beyond that, the game is played much like real baseball, each quarter flip representing a hit or a strike and the game runs for nine "innings". A pencil and paper are required to keep score and track the game's progress throughout each inning and which "runners" are on base.
[edit] Chandeliers
In the chandeliers (aka Carousel Quarters or Super Quarters) variation of quarters, one central glass is surrounded by one individual glass per player. The central glass is preferably taller and narrower than the surrounding glasses. When the quarter lands in an individual's glass, they drink their beverage. When the quarter lands in the central glass, players race to drink their individual glasses and the last to finish must then also consume the central beverage.
Chandeliers can be played with somewhat of a handicap for each player. Players that are less able to rapidly consume large beverages may have smaller amounts places in their individual glasses. Players that are less able to handle a large overall amount of beverage may use a taller or narrower individual glass.
There are several notable opportunities for foul play. A foul and potentially dangerous tactic is to slip a piece of ice into a target player's beverage, causing his rapid consumption of beverage to come to a stop upon discovery of the ice. Another foul tactic is to slip a spare quarter into an individual's glass. When a quarter then lands in the central glass and everyone begins racing to down their beverage, the target individual pauses to mistakenly tell everyone that they've made a mistake and the quarter did not land in the central glass. The other players then point out the quarter in the central glass but only after finishing their individual beverages.
[edit] Ultimate G quarters or “Sammy G Quarters”
In Ultimate G quarters variation of Quarters, one central glass is surrounded by one individual glass per player. Players take turns trying to land the quarter into the central glass; if the player shooting the quarter misses he/she is to spin the quarter and drink their beverage until the quarter falls on its side. If the player shooting the quarter lands the quarter inside the central glass, then the shooter chooses any player in the game to take a drink, the “Chosen Player” is then made to take a penalty drink while the quarter spins until the quarter stops. Players can also attempt to keep the quarter spinning to ensure that the player that is drinking drinks more.
A fun game overall, the game is made more challenging as each player is encouraged to drink as fast as ones possible while the quarter is spinning.
[edit] 3 Cup (Jenkintown style)
Commonly played around the Philadelphia area, this game is a team game. No shot glasses are used in this game. 3 regular medium sized glasses are arranged in a horizontal line so they are spread apart and are not touching. 2 quarters are used.
This is a team game. (2 vs. 2) Your teammate will shoot on one outside cup, and you will shoot in the other outside cup. Don't shoot in the middle cup, if you make it you have to drink all three and get no points.
When your team is up, you each have one chance to bounce the quarter into the cup. If a person makes it, it counts as one point and the other opponent drinks it. If you don't make it, you don't shoot again. Once both teammates have shot, it is the other team's turn to shoot. If you and your teammate both make it in the same turn, then it counts as 3 points, the other team drinks all 3 cups, and it is your team's turn again. It is like a bring back in pong.
You keep score of how many shots your team has made. In Jenkintown, PA this is played up to 11, win by two. There is redemption like beer pong, where once a team gets 11, each player on the opposing team can shoot till they miss. They can win in redemption.
[edit] ATX (Austin, Texas) quarters
This version, commonly played in Austin Texas, more specifically by students of Austin High School, involves one quarter and, by tradition, a central coffee cup. The coffee cup is used because it is the ideal height and volume. The game starts with someone filling the coffee cup with beer at least halfway. Traditionally the beer is either Keystone (Light or ice) or Natural (Light or Ice) because they are the cheapest and most readily available beers. Players take turns trying to bounce the quarter in the cup, off a wooden table or like surface. When a player makes it in he or she then picks another player to drink the contents of the cup. Once the cup is drained it is commonly turned upside down on a rag or other kind of cloth to get the quarter out, and avoid getting beer on the table. A player gets to go again if they make it in, this repeats until they miss a bounce or miss a rimshot. A rimshot is when a quarter bounces on the rim of the cup and does not go in. After a rimshot a player then must goes again and either, make it in and pick a drinker, get another rimshot and have to go again, or if they miss after getting a rimshot the player then has to drink the mug, and the quarter passes to the next player.
[edit] BX Tap Out
A game growing in popularity has its origins in none other than The Bronx, N.Y. hence the name "BX" Tapout. All you need to play this game is 2 shot glasses, 4 or more cups, a bunch of quarters, and alot of beer..I cannot stress this enough..A lot of beer.Usually between 5 and 8 people start a game. You can play with less but its freakin crazy. This is one of those games that gets the cops called. The object of the game is to not tapout. The 4 cups will be placed at the center of the table and filled about 1/4 with beer. The game starts with two players at opposite ends of the table. Each of those players has one of the 2 shot glasses. At the same time each of those players will take their first shots and the game begins. The game does not pause. You can get up to go to the bathroom but if you do the game does not stop and you take the risk of getting screwed by your friends. So basicly dont leave the table unless you plan on tapping out. You must bounce the quarter into the shot glass. You keep shooting until you get a quarter in. When you make a shot you pass the glass to your left. If you make it on your first or second shot you may pass the glass to anyone at the table except the person with the other glass. If you are still shooting and the person to your right makes a shot then he has skipped(aka got) you. Because you still have a glass, his glass goes to the person to your left instead of you. Now you have to drink because you got skipped. You must drink a small amount of beer around 1/4 of a cup or beer pong amount. You may not resume shooting until you have finished drinking. If you and the person to your right make a shot at the same time the tie goes to the person on the right. You have to drink. If you get skipped and are drinking, the person to your left who has just gotten the glass has an oppurtunity to screw you if he makes it in on his 1st or 2nd try. Example: If you get skipped and start to drink and the person on the left makes it in on the 1st shot he gets to pass the glass to anyone he wants. He is most likely going to pass it to the person on your right. Now your drinking and the person on your right is shooting and trying to skip you and make you drink again. The drinks stack up and you cannot shoot until you drink everything you are required to. The cups in the middle that you are drinking from get refilled by anyone at the table. So drink the first one fast cuz it can get ugly. The game is fast paced so pay attention. I've seen people have an entire pitcher worth of beer get stacked up on them. This is when people tap out. Because they can no longer handle the amount of beer that they have to drink before they can shoot again. Once some one taps out there is a bathroom break. These are the only breaks you get.. cherish them. Its also a good idea to have a puke bucket on hand. Some people play that you automatically tapout when you puke some say keep it going as long as you dont miss the bucket. Also once some taps there is an official chant that must be chanted to harass the sissy for quitting. You can make up your own house chant but the standard tapout chant goes as follows...
NaH na NAh na .... Nah na Nah na .... Hey hey hey.... You suck D**K
Official Tap out tourneys have been held at the Famous Charlie's Inn in The Bronx.
[edit] Suicide Quarters
The red cup starts empty. The first person shoots, if he makes it in the empty red cup everyone pours some of their beer in to the red cup and the shooter gets to go again. If he makes it again then he gives the cup of beer to whomever he chooses, if he misses he pours more beer into the cup and gives the quarter to the next shooter. The next person shoots and if he misses, then he also pours more beer into the cup and passes the quarter to the next shooter. This keeps going if people keep missing or until the cup is full. If anyone makes it then they give the cup to whomever they choose and get to go again on an empty cup, and the same rules apply as before, if he makes it in an empty cup everyone pours beer into the cup. There are chances, just like in regular quarters, if you hit the rim you can go again, but if you miss you have to drink the cup.
[edit] Monkey Bounce & Touch The Cup
Monkey Bounce and Touch The Cup are English variations of Quarters that are regularly played in the top bar of the Student's Union at the Southampton Solent University (formerly Southampton Institute). The names are adjusted due to the lack of a coin in the United Kingdom that is worth 25 pence, or referred to as a "quarter". Alternatively, both games are usually played with a two pence coin, due to its large surface area and low value (so it doesn't matter if they're lost - although there is a forfeit, see below).
Monkey Bounce is very similar to Standard Quarters, only with a few twists. The glass in the centre of the table is always an empty half-pint glass; for more experienced players, however, a pint glass is an acceptable substitute. Players take it in turns to attempt to bounce the 2p into the half-pint glass; successfully doing so allows the bouncer to nominate another player to drink two fingers of their chosen beverage. In the event that the coin bounces back off the rim of the glass, this is referred to as a "rim job" and the player gets another free go; however, three consecutive rim jobs means the bouncer has to drink the two-finger penalty. At this stage it is generally accepted that their turn is over and the coin passes to the next player; however it has also been known that the player gets to keep trying until they are successful or miss the glass entirely.
Other differences with Monkey Bounce include rules that define penalties should the coin end up somewhere other than in the glass or on the table. For example, if the coin drops to the floor the bouncer must drink two fingers as a penalty. If the coin is lost on the floor, the bouncer has two minutes to find the original coin or they must finish the rest of their drink and immediately buy another as well as replace the coin. This rule often leads to players "saving" people by catching the coin before it falls to the floor - if they do so, the bouncer is obliged (but not required) to not nominate the catcher if they successfully bounce the coin in future. Alternatively, it can also result in some players allowing the coin to fall to the floor as "payback" to a person who had previously nominated them.
Some rules that exist but are not usually enforced relate to other vessels that the coin might end up landing in - most commonly, these are ash trays. Some hardcore players will demand that a coin landing in an ash tray requires the bouncer to empty the contents of the ash tray into their drink and consume it all; an alternative is to fill the ash tray with a contribution from your glass and then drink directly from it. This is not a rule that is commonly in force due to some serious health and safety concers, however it has been known to happen in the SISU union in the early 2000s.
In early 2004, Jon Wellstead and Michael Paul pioneered the concept of EXTREME Monkey Bounce - this involved placing the glass on a stool "island" approximately two feet from the table and attempting to bounce the coin in from there. If any player successfully bounced the coin into the glass, they were able to nominate any other player to consume their entire beverage. However, EXTREME Monkey Bounce was more of a binge drinking game as the coin spent more time on the floor than anywhere else, thus resulting in lots of player penalties.
Another version of EXTREME Monkey Bounce, concocted by Max Greenwood in 2003, stated that the coin had to touch the ceiling or a wall before it could enter the glass under the rules of the game. This version, though tremendously fun, was doomed to failure as the "Legends Table" in the SISU had no adjoining walls, thus rendering the ceiling the only legal surface that was in play.
Touch The Cup works in much the same way as Monkey Bounce, with a few fundamental differences. The half-pint glass in the centre of the table is filled with contributions from every player's own drink (thus making a dirty pint, or half-pint in this case). When a coin is bounced into the glass, the bouncer nominates another player to down the contents of the "cup". Before the nominee, or anyone else at any point during the game, touches the cup, they must say the words "Touch The Cup" audibly. Failure to say "Touch The Cup" before lifting the glass will result in a second dirty half-pint having to be consumed by the offender. This rule often results in some world-class stupidity, with players often grabbing the glass as soon as they are nominated without saying Touch The Cup, thus resulting in the penalty. They then put the glass down to refill it, then pick it up again without saying Touch The Cup, which results in a further penalty. New players to the game regularly fall foul of this fundamental rule and are quickly singled out for bullying by more experienced players as a form of "induction" into the circle.
Assuming the nominee does remember to say Touch The Cup before picking up the glass, they must then down the contents of the glass and catch the 2p in their teeth at the end. They must then go around the table and ask for the other players to fill the glass with their drinks by saying "Contributions Please!" with the coin still between their teeth. Dropping the coin while contributions are being administered will result in the player having to consume the contents of the glass, once full. After the glass is once again full, it is replaced in the centre of the table and the game begins again.
It is also worth noting that the International Drinking Rules that relate to receiving are always in effect during games of Monkey Bounce and Touch The Cup. In other words, if a player passes the coin to another player and they take it from them, the passer can shout "Receiving!", which will result in the receiver having to drink two fingers. The word "Owzat!" has also been known to be shouted as a substitute for "receiving".
[edit] Other
- Xtreme quarters, chandeliers variation
- Icetray quarters
- Qrazy Quarters
Zach Hart, a graduate of University of California, Santa Barbara, is known as the "King of Quarters" after his quarters video spread across the internet and television (VH1, Bravo, KFC Europe).
While his feats and stunts were impressive, some have questioned his drinking ability because he is not seen consuming any beverages in the video.
[edit] Beverages
The most common beverage used is beer, since it makes the continued drinking more filling, while diminishing the shooter's accuracy, thus increasing the difficulty further.
The players must determine before-hand how much is to be consumed each time a player is required to drink. This depends on the variation being played and the appetites of the players.
Numerous variations and special rules are available on the Internet. Nearly every compilation of drinking games includes an entry on Quarters.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Griscom, Andy. (1994). Beer Games 2, Revised: The Exploitative Sequel. Revised edition. Mustang Publishing. ISBN 0-914457-67-5
- Griscom, Andy. (1999). The Complete Book of Beer Drinking Games. Revised Edition. Mustang Publishing. ISBN 0-914457-97-7
- Kheper Games. (2001). Got Liquor? Drinking Game Set. Basic speed quarters rules. [1]
- Samuel Goodwin. (2006).
![[1]](http://www.dormgear.net/images/got-liquor.gif){kind=link}