Circle of Death
Also Known as...
Ring of Fire, Connection, Death Ring, Dealer of Death, Circle of Fire
Also Refers to...
Players
4+ (5+ preferred)
Equipment
Booze, Deck of Cards
Intoxication Level
90 proof (Very High)
Setup
A full deck of cards is spread out into a circular shape face down (players may never look at the cards before drawing). Players gather around the circle with Booze.
Gameplay
The Starting Player chooses (flips over) a card from the circle. The next player then chooses a card. If the cards are of the same suit, or Rank both players must drink to their rank as counted by the next player whom is not required to drink. Card ranks are face value with Ace being 1, Jack being 11, Queen being 12, and King being 13. The counting player may count as fast or slow as they wish, but they must count in order. Then the third player chooses a card. If the third player flipped matches the second player they both must drink and the fourth player may count. If the third player matches the second player and the first player in the same manner (rank, or suit) then all three players must drink while player four counts.
For Example, if Paddy draws a 6 of clubs then Scotty draws a Jack of Clubs they must drink (because they both have clubs). Mel (the next player who is not required to drink) counts to 11 and Paddy may stop at 6 while Scotty must drink till 11.
If Mel then draws a Jack of Hearts, then Mel and Scotty must drink (because they both have Jacks). Slice (the next player not required to drink) will count to 11 and both Mel and Scotty must drink until 11. However, if Mel draws a 3 of clubs then Mel, Scotty, and Paddy must drink (because they all have clubs). Slice (the next player not required to drink) will count to 11, Mel may stop at 3, Paddy at 6, and Scotty must drink until 11. This "chain effect" would continue if Slice also drew a club.
The chain effect can go both directions by a middle card completing the chain. For example, if Mel (to the left of Scotty) has the 9 of Hearts from the last time around the circle and Paddy (to the right of Scotty) has just drawn the Queen of Hearts, and Scotty draws the 8 of Hearts, they would all have to drink (because they all have hearts). Slice (the next player not required to drink) will count to 12, Scotty may stop at 8, Paddy at 9, and Mel must drink until 12.
The Chain Effect may also be in two different manners (Suit one direction and rank the other). For example, if Mel (to the left of Scotty) has the 9 of Hearts from the last time around the circle and Paddy (to the right of Scotty) has just drawn the Queen of Clubs, and Scotty draws the Queen of Hearts, they would all have to drink (since Paddy matches Scotty's hearts and Mel matches Scotty's Queen). Slice (the next player not required to drink) will count to 12, Paddy may stop at 9, but Mel and Scotty must drink until 12.
If at anytime all players at the table are required to drink, all Players must finish their drinks and refill, then the next player may draw. This may happen 2 or more times in a row if the next player draws a card that also causes all players to drink. This is not recomended for smaller tables (due to the increased likelyhood of happening).
Play continues until all cards have been flipped.
Honor Code (Variation A)
Some do not have the next player count, instead all players simply drink an estimate of the amount they require. This may be less drink intensive because players would not be able to count slowly.
Timed Death (Variation B)
Some play that those required to drink must drink for seconds rather than having a player count. This may be less drink intensive because players would not be able to count slowly.
Dealer of Death (Variation C)
Some designate one player the dealer. The dealer is responsible for counting out loud the seconds for players to drink. The dealer should make the count as accurate as possible to actual seconds. If the dealer is one of the players that must drink, the dealer must keep track by tapping the table until they finish.
Some play that all players must refer to the dealer as the "Dealer of Death" if a Player refers to the dealer by anything other than the "Dealer of Death" the player must drink for 5 seconds (counted by the Dealer of Death). This may be less drink intensive because players would not be able to count slowly.
Little League Rules (Variation D)
Some Play that when any previously played cards are no longer matches to the last card dealt, they are discarded. This version is less drink intensive because drawn cards can not match previously drawn cards from the last time around the circle.
Circle Sweeps (Variation E)
Some play that after play returns to the player that started the round all cards flipped are discarded, the player that started the round is skipped and the next player begins a new round (so that the starting player of the last round will now play last in the new round)
Don't Break the Circle (Variation F)
Some play that if a player breaks the circle of cards with their chosen card, they must drink.
Connection (Variation G)
Some play that the entire deck is dealt out amung the players face down and they may not look. Players then play from their deck rather than pick from a circle. This game is usually called Connection (since there is no circle).
Share the Pain (Variation H)
Some Play that if the cards are of the same suit, players add up the values of the two cards and the two people have to drink the total number. When three or four cards of the same suit are drawn in a row, all the values are added up and all three or four players must drink. This variation is usually played with either the Little League Honor Code or the Timed Death Variation considering the game is very drink intensive as it is. This variation is also sometimes played with the Double Ranks variation.
Double Ranks (Variation I)
Some Play that if the cards are of the same rank, players drink double the value of their card and the two people have to drink for that many seconds. This variation is usually played with either the Little League Rules variation or the Circle Sweeps Variation considering the game is very drink intensive as it is. This variation is also sometimes played with the Share the Pain variation.
Sweet Revenge (Variation J)
Some play that if a player required to drink is able to completely finish their beer while a Counting Player is counting , then the Counting player must finish their beer. If the counting player suspects a player is almost out of beer prior to the count, they may instruct the player to re-fill. Many who play this variation also require the player to show the counting player how mush they have left if the Counting player requests to see prior to the count.
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