There are those who may find the title of this article a little strange. After all, the object of any game is to win, isn't it? Why should Chinese drinking games be any different? Fact is, I don't want to get your hopes up. You play Chinese drinking games, you're going to lose. The bright side is that you'll always be the first to experience a righteous buzz.
I have chosen what I believe to be the easiest three games to start with. When you've mastered these three...well, if you master these three games then you'll already be better than I am.
BS! 骰子/筛子 (Tóu zi/ Shǎizi)
Also known as Liar's Dice, Pirate's Dice (because it was in that movie with Johnny Depp), Bluffer's Dice and a plethora of other names. I like this game because it's slow and simple.
How to play:
It’s definitely the easiest of the drinking games. For vocabulary, the only thing you need to know how to do in Chinese is count. Just remember that when expressing quantities of a number, the quantity and the number will be separated by the measure word gè (个) So, “seven fives'” would be “七个五”(qī gè w?). If you can handle this vocabulary, then you are also ready for game number two.
“15, 20” 十五二十 (Shíw? èrshí)
If you have ever seen two people in a bar waving their hands up and down, sometimes open, sometimes in a fist, while frantically screaming, “ten!” “fifteen!” or “twenty!” then you have seen this game being played. It's actually a very simple game, but the speed at which it is played can be a little daunting at times.
How to play:
1) Two people stand opposite each other, with their hands in the ready position –usually elbows pointed down and fists at shoulder level.
2) Simultaneously, the two players say, “十五,二十” (shíw?, èrshí) and bring their hands down to waist level. Each of their hands will either be open, or closed in a fist. A closed hand represents, zero, and an open hand represents five.
3) At the same time as the hands reach waist level, both players yell out a number. This number is supposed to represent the total value of all four hands added together. As there are only four hands, there are five possible results:
1. 0 (méiyou): All four hands are closed into fists
2. 5 (wu): Three fists and one open hand
3. 10 (shí): Two fists and two open hands
4. 15 (shíwu): Three open hands and one fist
5. 20 (èrshí): Four open hands
4) Usually, both players will be incorrect, in which case steps 1-3 are repeated at a rapid (meaning lightning fast) pace. If one of the players happens to shout a number that actually corresponds to the combined value of the hands, then the other person drinks. It is also possible to “foul” if you yell a number that is made impossible by the hand combination that you have chosen. For example:
A. If you have one or both hands open, and say “méiyou!” That is a foul, because it is not possible to be have zero if you yourself already have five
B. If you have no hands open, and you say “shíwu” or “èrshí” – those would also be impossible situations, causing you to foul.
C. If you have both hands open and you say “wu” you would be committing a foul.
It sounds simple enough, but the trick is in the blinding speed. You also have to be able to say your number, hear the other person’s number and count the hands all at the same time. In my experience, this game usually consists of me shouting random numbers at the top of my lungs, (SEVENTEEN?!) and the girl telling me to do another down-down.
It is possible that there are those of you out there who find these first two games are too easy and you want a greater challenge. I respect you for that. At the same time, I pity your naivety.
The bees and the flowers 两只小蜜蜂 (Li?ng zh? xi?o mìfēng)
This game is not simple. This game is not for the faint of heart. However, since this game might be the only way you ever get to kiss that smoking hot guy or girl over there, I suggest you learn it well, young grasshopper.
How to play:
I know, sending you in all alone like this is like giving you a slingshot and telling you to take down an F-22 fighter jet: you will lose. But there is a plus side. You will drink. You will have fun. And when all else fails, you can teach your Chinese friends the fine art of beer pong.
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Finally, explained in proper English! I've had Chinese friends and foreign friends alike try to explain these games to me, and I end up getting pushed into a game only to end up with a confused look on my face, saying "I have to drink...why?"
I don't think they play birds and bees here though. A little too risquee for rural areas, perhaps.
Feb 16, 2012 21:00 Report Abuse