Don't let the ALRC fool you, Madison likes to drink. Despite the university's attempts over the years to convince everyone otherwise, UW is a school that likes to have fun. And what better way to have fun than a few rousing drinking games? Everyone plays beer pong and flip cup, and the only real arguments on those games are whether you should leave cups or pull (definitely leave), and whether you should call the game flip cup, flippy cup or (God forbid) tippy cup. And everyone has played the many variations of quarters, circle of death and president, to the point where while they are still fun, you long for something new. Here are five lesser known drinking games that should become household favorites in no time.
1. Mario Kart
Ingredients: Some form of the game Mario Kart, cans of beer.
Mario Kart, like the announcer at every Badger football game, wants you to drive home safely. In Mario Kart, you and three friends start a game of Mario Kart, each with a can of beer. The thing is, you can't drink while driving, and you have to finish a can of beer before the race is over. Some opt to simply let their controllers sit while they slam their beer, while others try driving for a lap before sipping at their beer. Whatever your strategy is, the game is loads of fun, while still advocating as much safety as a game that involves slamming an entire can of beer in three minutes can. Be sure to try other videogame-based drinking games such as Super Smash Bros. for shots and The Man with the Golden Goldschlager.
2. Horse Race
Ingredients: A deck of cards, any drink.
Combining all the excitement of the Kentucky Derby with the alcoholism of a college rugby match, Horse Race is played by lining up seven cards on the side as the track, with each of the four aces as the horses. You wager a certain number of drinks on your horse, which you get to hand out if your horse wins, and you have to drink (along with any handed out to you by the winner) if you lose. If the card the dealer puts down matches your horse's suit, you move ahead one card. Once all the horses have cleared one of the cards along the side, it's turned over. If it matches your suit, you move back one and take a drink. The dealing is fast-paced and fun, and shouting encouragement at your horse is highly encouraged.
3. Thunderstruck
Ingredients: Any drink, a copy of AC/DC's ""Thunderstruck,"" at least five friends.
""Thunderstruck"" is the simplest game yet. All you need to do is sit in a circle and listen to ""Thunderstruck."" The first person drinks when they hear ""thunder,"" and drink until the next utterance of the word. The game progresses quickly during the chorus of ""You've been thunderstruck / Thunderstruck / Thunderstruck / Thunderstruck,"" but soon becomes difficult for the last player, who must chug their drink throughout Angus Young's sweet, albeit lengthy guitar riff. For those who aren't big AC/DC fans, the game can be substituted with almost any repetitive song, including Ram Jam's ""Black Betty,"" MC Hammer's ""Can't Touch This,"" or Daft Punk's ""Around the World."" Ok, that last one was a joke, but drinking games based on songs have near-limitless potential.
