Cheers to the Governor

Cheers to the Governor is a British pub and student classic: a counting game that starts out ridiculously easy and gets harder every single round. The group counts from 1 to 21, everyone toasts the Governor, and the player who said 21 gets to change one number for good. A few rounds in, nobody can remember whether 7 is a bark, a clap or a backwards count, and that is exactly the point. You need nothing but a drink each and a circle of friends.

Setup

• Players: 3–12, sitting or standing in a circle so everyone can hear each other.

• What you need: A drink each. No cards, dice or kit at all.

• Agree house rules: Decide how big a penalty sip is (small), which direction you start in, and that soft drinks are welcome. They should be.

How to Play

1. Count to 21: One player starts with “1”, and the count goes round the circle one number each: “2”, “3”, “4” and so on.

2. Cheers to the Governor: Whoever says “21” shouts “Cheers to the Governor!” and everyone raises a glass and takes a sip together.

3. Make a rule: The player who said 21 now changes one number from 1 to 20. That number is never said again. Instead, players must do whatever the new rule says, such as clapping instead of saying 7, or swapping 4 and 12.

4. Start again: The next player starts the count from 1, and the new rule applies straight away.

5. Slip-ups: If you say a number you shouldn't, forget a rule, hesitate for too long or say the wrong number, you take a penalty sip and the count goes back to 1. The player after you starts again.

6. Keep going: Each time someone reaches 21, another number gets replaced. The game ends when you agree to stop, or when there are so many rules that nobody can make it past 10.

Good Rules to Start With

• Swap two numbers: Say “9” instead of “3” and “3” instead of “9”. Simple, and it catches everyone out.

• Change direction: Whoever reaches 6 says “6” and the count reverses round the circle.

• Skip a player: On 11, the next person in the circle is skipped.

• Sound effect: Replace 15 with a duck quack, a cow moo or a loud “woof”.

• Action: On 18, everyone must touch their nose before the count can carry on. Last to do it drinks.

• Say it in another language: 8 must be said in French, Spanish or Polish.

• Pairs: 13 and 14 have to be said by the same player, one after the other.

Tips for a Better Game

• Keep the early rules simple. The fun comes from stacking them up, not from one impossible rule.

• Rules can't touch 21 itself. Someone always has to be able to say it and finish the round.

• Appoint a referee (or the player to your left) to settle arguments about hesitation. Two seconds is a fair limit.

• Go fast. The quicker the count, the more people trip up.

• Keep penalty sips small. A busy round can produce a lot of mistakes.

Variations

• Count to 31: For a big group, extend the count so more numbers can be changed.

• Write it down: Jot the rules on a beer mat as you go, then hide it. Peeking costs a sip.

• Soft-drink edition: Play with lemonade or water. It's just as chaotic and works brilliantly at family parties.

• Pub quiz warm-up: Play a couple of rounds before the quiz starts to get the table talking.

Cheers to the Governor is about as old-school as drinking games get: no app, no kit and no tidying up. Just a circle of friends, a count to 21 and a slowly growing list of rules that nobody can quite remember.

Drink Responsibly

Project Beer is all for a good laugh, not for getting anyone ill. Keep the measures small, agree that anyone can play with a soft drink or water at any time, eat something first, and never pressure someone to drink. Know your limits, look after your mates, and never drink and drive. If you are under the legal drinking age, play with soft drinks only.