On the Bus: The Ultimate Card-Guessing Drinking Game

On the Bus: Your Ticket to Party Fun!

Alright, you lovely lot! Gather 'round the table, crack open a cold one, because we're about to embark on a journey... a perilous, boozy journey 'On the Bus'! This absolute classic of a drinking game is a staple for a reason: it's a brilliant blend of luck, a dash of memory, and a whole lot of laughs. Perfect for kick-starting any gathering, 'On the Bus' will test your card-guessing prowess and decide who'll be taking a one-way ticket to Drunkville (responsibly, of course!). So shuffle those cards, prepare your palates, and let's get this party rolling!

What You'll Need:

• One standard deck of 52 playing cards (no jokers, unless you're feeling wild for a variation!).
• Plenty of your favourite beverages (beers, ciders, spirits, or even soft drinks for those taking it easy).
• A table or flat surface to play on.
• A designated 'bus driver' (optional, but good for keeping track of the fun!).
• A good sense of humour and a commitment to responsible drinking!

How to Play 'On the Bus'

The game is typically played in two main phases: the 'Guessing Rounds' and the grand finale, 'The Bus Journey'.

Phase 1: The Four Rounds of Peril (and Pint Assigning!)

Each player takes turns guessing attributes of a drawn card. The dealer will draw one card per player for each round. If you guess correctly, you assign drinks to other players. If you guess incorrectly, you take the drinks yourself!

1. Round 1: Red or Black? (1 Drink)

   The dealer asks each player, "Red or Black?" before drawing a card. Guess the colour of the card. If you're right, assign one drink to another player. If you're wrong, take one drink yourself.

2. Round 2: Higher or Lower? (2 Drinks)

   The dealer deals each player their first card face up. Then, for their second card, they ask, "Higher or Lower than your first card?" (Ace is always high, 2 is low). Correct guess? Assign two drinks. Incorrect? Take two drinks.

3. Round 3: In Between or Outside? (3 Drinks)

   Each player is dealt two cards face up. The dealer then asks, "Will the next card be In Between these two values, or Outside?" (e.g., if you have a 4 and a 9, an 8 would be 'in between', a King would be 'outside'). Correct guess? Assign three drinks. Incorrect? Take three drinks.

4. Round 4: What Suit? (4 Drinks)

   For the final guessing round, each player is asked, "What suit will your next card be?" (Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, or Spades). Correct guess? Assign a whopping four drinks! Incorrect? Bottoms up for four drinks!

IMPORTANT: Keep all your face-up cards in front of you after these rounds. They're crucial for the next stage!

Phase 2: The Pyramid of Doom (Building the Bus)

Once all four initial rounds are complete, it's time to build the 'Bus'!

1. The dealer lays out a pyramid of cards face down. A common size is 5 cards in the bottom row, then 4, then 3, then 2, then 1 at the top.
2. Starting with the player to the left of the dealer, players take turns revealing one of their face-up cards from the initial four rounds.
3. The dealer then flips over a card from the bottom row of the pyramid.
4. If the player's revealed card matches the value of the pyramid card (e.g., both are a 7), the player can assign drinks equal to the row number (bottom row = 1 drink, second row = 2 drinks, etc.). The pyramid card remains face up.
5. If there's no match, the player moves to the next card in their hand and the next pyramid card (or the next player's turn, depending on group preference – clarify this beforehand!).
6. Players continue revealing their cards and matching them to the pyramid, assigning drinks as they go. The goal is to get rid of as many of your hand cards as possible by matching them to the pyramid.

Phase 3: The Bus Journey (The Grand Finale!)

After the pyramid round, one unlucky soul is chosen to go 'On the Bus'. This is usually the player with the most cards left in their hand, or the one who received the most drinks during the pyramid round. The group can also simply vote for the "best" candidate!

The Journey:

1. The Bus Driver's remaining cards are collected and shuffled back into the deck.
2. The dealer then deals five cards face down in a row. These are the 'stops' on the bus journey.
3. The Bus Driver's mission: guess the colour (Red or Black) of each of the five cards in sequence.
4. The dealer flips the first card. If the Bus Driver is correct, they move to the next card.
5. If they are incorrect at any point, they must take a drink (often a larger amount, like a shot or a full drink, depending on group rules!) AND they must restart the journey from the very first card.
6. The Bus Driver keeps going until they successfully guess the colour of all five cards in a row. Only then are they allowed off the bus!

Rules and Tips for a Smooth Ride:

• Ace High: Unless explicitly stated, Ace is usually the highest card (above King).
• Same Value: In 'Higher or Lower', if the card drawn is the same value as the previous, it's typically considered a 'wrong' guess, and you drink.
• Drink Amounts: The suggested drink amounts are just that – suggestions! Feel free to adjust them to suit your group's preferences and responsible drinking limits.
• Fair Play: Always be fair with assigning drinks – no targeting unless it's a friendly, agreed-upon rivalry!
• Dealer Rotation: Rotate the dealer each round or after the whole game for fairness.

Variations to Keep Things Fresh:

• Joker Rule: If you include Jokers, they could mean 'everyone drinks', 'assign 10 drinks', or even a 'skip your turn' card.
• Team Play: Split into teams for the pyramid phase, pooling your cards and sharing the drinking glory (or shame!).
• Custom Bus Rules: Instead of just Red or Black, make the Bus Driver guess 'Higher or Lower' for each card, or even the exact suit! You could also shorten the bus journey to 3 cards or lengthen it to 7.
• The 'Shot' Bus: For those feeling particularly brave (and responsible!), a wrong guess on the bus could mean a shot.

Drink Responsibly:

At Project Beer, we're all about having a cracking good time, but your safety is paramount. 'On the Bus' is a game of chance and fun, not a race to get sloshed. Please know your limits, stay hydrated with water between alcoholic drinks, and ensure everyone is having a good time safely. Don't let anyone pressure you to drink more than you're comfortable with. If you're driving, don't drink. Simple as that. Look after yourselves and each other!