Horse race Rules
Which horse will bring you victory… or just a hangover?
Game Details
Hoe speel je het drankspel Paardenrace?
The Horse Race drinking game (or racing aces) is an exciting and unpredictable party game. You only need a deck of playing cards (no jokers). In this game, the four Aces act as the “racing aces” (the horses). The Horse Race rules are simple. Players wager sips on the horse they think will win. By flipping cards from the deck, it’s determined which horse moves one step forward. But watch out, the race is full of surprises!
The Racetrack
To start, take the four Aces (the racing aces) and lay them next to each other. Then, shuffle the deck of cards and place seven cards facedown vertically, perpendicular to the Aces (see example below). The track is now ready.
Placing Bets and The Race
Now that the horses are at the starting line, you can place your bets. Each player chooses a horse (an Ace) and wagers a number of sips. The rule is simple: the number of sips you bet, you must drink immediately yourself. The race can begin!
Step 1: Draw a card
Appoint one player as the dealer. This person takes the remaining deck of cards and flips over the top card.
Step 2: Horse moves forward
The suit of the card determines which Ace moves forward. A Hearts card means the Ace of Hearts moves one step forward.
Step 3: Horse moves backward
As soon as all horses pass a facedown card, you flip it over. The Ace with the same suit must take one step back.
Step 4: The Finish
The first horse to pass the last card wins. Did you guess correctly? Then you get to give out your wagered sips (doubled!).
Frequently Asked Questions about Horse Race
How many players do you need for Horse Race?
According to the Horse Race rules, you can play the drinking game with as few as 2 players, but it’s most fun with 4 or more players.
Can you play multiple rounds?
Yes, many groups play several races in a row. You just take a short break of a few minutes between rounds so the losers can drink their sips.
What happens if multiple people bet on the winning horse?
All winners get to give out their wagered sips. So, if multiple players bet on the same winning horse, all of those players get to give out their sips.
Which cards are used as the ‘horses’ or ‘racing aces’?
Typically, the four Aces are used as the ‘racing aces’ (horses).
Horse Race Drinking Game Variations
Already used to the basic rules of Horse Race and want to spice things up? These new variations make the race crazier, more exciting, and will cost you more sips.
Odds
Turn the seven track cards face up. Each suit revealed increases the odds for that horse by 1 (starting at 2:1). This means the horses with a lower chance of winning get to give out more sips if they win.
Comeback Sprint
Are three cards of the same suit as the horse in last place drawn in a row? That horse automatically sprints to second place.
Double Leap
Do you draw the same card suit twice in a row? That horse immediately moves two steps forward. Perfect for those who love chaos in the race.