Quarters
The classic coin-bounce table game: land a coin in the cup, nominate a drinker, and keep the rounds moving. Easy to learn, needs almost no kit, and works with soft drinks too.
2–10 players · easy
Quarters is the classic table-top accuracy game: bounce a coin off the table so it lands in a cup, then nominate who drinks. It needs almost no kit, scales to any group size, and works just as well with soft drinks as with beer. Easy to learn, surprisingly competitive, and ideal when the cards are still in someone else's coat pocket.
Setup
Players: 2–10, sitting around a sturdy table.
What you need: One coin (a 10p or 20p works well), one sturdy cup or tumbler per round (or a shared cup in the middle), and a drink each.
Table: A firm surface helps the bounce. Soft picnic tables make the game harder.
Agree house rules: Decide whether a coin that hits the rim and falls in counts, how big a penalty sip is, and whether soft drinks are allowed (they should be).
How to Play
Place the cup: Put an empty cup in the centre of the table, or in front of the player whose turn it is if you prefer the “personal cup” variant.
Bounce the coin: On your turn, bounce the coin once off the table so it lands inside the cup. A clean bounce — not a slide or a throw — is the point of the game.
Success: If the coin lands in the cup, you choose another player to take a sip. You may also take another turn (optional house rule: maximum three successes in a row).
Miss: If the coin misses, play passes to the next person clockwise. No drink for a simple miss.
Challenge (optional): After a success, the nominated player can challenge you to make the same shot again. If you miss the challenge, you drink instead; if you make it, they drink a double sip.
Carry on: Keep going until you agree to stop. There is no formal winner — only bragging rights for the steadiest hand.
House Rules Worth Trying
Personal cup: Each player has their own cup in front of them. You must land the coin in someone else's cup to nominate them.
Speed quarters: Two coins, two players opposite each other racing to land three cups first.
Team bounce: Pairs alternate shots; first team to five successful lands wins the round.
Soft-drink only: Perfectly valid for designated drivers, non-drinkers, or a quieter afternoon.
Tips for a Better Game
Use a short tumbler rather than a tall pint glass — the target is fairer.
Keep sips small. Quarters can rack up drinks quickly if the group is competitive.
Wipe the table if it gets sticky; a damp surface kills the bounce.
Mind your furniture: coins and enthusiasm can chip cheap tables, so pick a robust one.
Quarters is as old-school as pub games get, and that is the charm. One coin, one cup, a steady bounce, and a circle of friends — no app required.