Hey party people! If you’re looking for a riotous adult drinking game for large group that’s easy to learn but increasingly difficult to master, Cheers to the Governor is about to be your new favorite. Think you can count to 21 without messing up? Well, think again! This game turns simple counting into a hilarious test of memory, focus, and just a touch of sneaky strategy.
I. Core Rules of Cheers to the Governor
If you like Flip Cup, Quarters, Never Have I Ever, and classic Beer Pong, you might enjoy the challenge of remembering wacky rules from Cheers to the Governor. Ready to test your memory and see how long you last in this chaotic counting game? Here’s the breakdown:
- Gather Your Crew: Assemble your adult drinking buddies (ideally 4+ players for maximum chaos).
- Start the Count: Someone begins with “1,” then the next person says “2,” and so on around the circle.
- Reach 21: The goal is to count to 21 without messing up.
- Cheers, Governor! Whoever says “21” takes a victory drink and becomes the first Governor.
- Governor’s Rule: The Governor invents a wacky rule to replace a number (e.g., clap instead of saying “7”).
- The Challenge: Remember the original numbers AND the Governor’s crazy rules!
- Mess Up = Drink Up! Flub a rule or forget the sequence? Take a drink and start back at 1.
Gameplay Notes:
- Disputes: If there’s confusion, a quick majority vote decides, or the Governor’s ruling is final.
- Ideal Player Count: 4+ players is best for maximum rule madness.
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II. Cheers to the Governor Variations
Okay, now you know the basics of Cheers to the Governor. It’s time to spice things up and turn the chaos dial to 11! Here’s a breakdown of rule ideas, from easy starters to mind-bending madness.
Easy Peasy (Get the Party Started)
These are perfect for getting everyone in the groove…and maybe a little tipsy:
- Instead of “5” everyone says “Buzz.”
- On multiples of 3, shout a random animal name.
- Every time “7” comes up, everyone points their thumbs upwards.
- “Meow” instead of 4
- Whistle on 8
- Snap your fingers for 12
- Pat your head for 6
- Wave your hands for 15
- Do a little jig for 18
- “Bee” for 3
- “Gate” for 8
- “Floor” for 4
Medium Mayhem (Turn Up the Heat)
Ready for things to get weird? Try these:
- Say “13” in a spooky voice.
- On “11,” switch places with the person to your left.
- Every time you say a prime number, do a little happy dance.
- Whoever says a certain number (or multiple) switches places with a designated person.
- Say the opposite of the actual number (ex: 16 when the number is 5).
- Count in a different language for a few rounds (Spanish, French, etc.). Resources online can help!
- Question Master: The person who says a certain number has to ask a question. Anyone who answers drinks!
Hardcore Hilarity (Prepare for Chaos)
These are where things get truly ridiculous. Hold onto your drinks!
- Use sign language to say your number.
- Whenever someone reaches a multiple of 5, the counting direction reverses.
- Say your number in a different language each round.
- Combine actions and sounds with specific numbers (ex: pat your head and bark like a dog for 7).
- Whenever a chosen number or multiple comes up, the counting direction reverses (clockwise to counterclockwise, or vice versa).
- Instead of the number, say the result of a simple math equation (5+2 for 7, 10-4 for 6, etc.).
- Any grin, chuckle, or smirk results in a drink.
- Advanced Challenge: Randomly assign multiple rules to each number – prepare for brain-melting fun!
III. Craft Your Own Custom Rules
Take Cheers to the Governor to the next level with your own unique rule creations!
Get Inspired
Stuck for ideas? Here’s how to get those creative juices flowing:
- Actions Aplenty: Clapping, jumping, spinning… get physical in fun and unexpected ways.
- Silly Sounds: Animal noises, random catchphrases, or even busting out your best celebrity impression.
- Theme Party Power: Is it movie night? Base rules on characters or quotes! Sports fans? Tie it into your favorite team.
- Inside Jokes FTW: Nothing’s funnier than rules only your friend group will get. Remember that embarrassing story about Dave and the pizza? Rule idea!
Balance is Everything
- Ease them In: Start simple, especially if there are new players. Don’t want to totally overwhelm them (yet).
- Mix it Up: A few easy rules, a couple of medium-difficulty ones, and maybe one totally bonkers rule to challenge everyone.
- Avoid Rule Overload: Too many complex rules spoil the fun. Find the right balance of simple and challenging.
Test It Out
- Before declaring your new rule to the whole group, try it with one friend first. Make sure it makes sense and flows well.
Own Your Power
- As Governor, you’re not just making rules, you’re setting the stage! Explain your rule with a dramatic flair, get everyone hyped up!
IV. Advanced Strategies: Outsmart Your Friends
Okay, now you know how to play Cheers to the Governor. But are you ready to win? Get sneaky and outwit your opponents with these tips:
- Know Your Enemy (the Numbers!): Primes, multiples, numbers close to rule-change numbers… keep an eye on those danger zones to avoid getting caught out.
- The Governor’s Gambit: When you’re ruling the game, think like a mastermind:
- Simple Chaos: Change a super common number (like 3 or 5) for maximum confusion.
- Target Practice: Got a friend who’s always forgetting rules? Design one just for them!
- Strategic Silence: Pick a rule that you’re secretly good at remembering. Then lay low and let everyone else take the fall!
- Mind Games Can you almost get to 21, making the next person more likely to mess up? A little manipulation goes a long way.
- Master of Misdirection: Fake a stumble, look totally confused… mess with your friends’ heads! Just don’t confuse yourself in the process.
- Embrace the Fail: Honestly, some of the best moments in this game come from epic blunders. Laugh it off, because the chaos is half the fun!
Disclaimer: Cheers to the Governor is still a game of chance. These tips might help, but sometimes the stars (and numbers) just don’t align. It’s about having a blast either way!
V. Themed Variations: Turn Your Party Into an Event!
Ready to take Cheers to the Governor to the next level? Get creative with these themed rule ideas for epic game nights:
- Movie Night Mania:
- Quotable Classics: Swap numbers for famous movie lines. “Frankly, my dear…” for 4!
- Impersonation Station: Say your number in the voice of your favorite movie character. Your terrible Arnold Schwarzenegger impression will crack everyone up.
- Genre Bender: Horror night? Only use lines from scary movies. Sci-fi marathon? Stick to robots and aliens!
- Spicy Sevens:
- Sevens are Wild! Every rule has to involve the number 7. Get your math brain ready!
- World Wonders: Base rules on the Wonders of the World. Anyone who messes up the Colosseum rule…drinks!
- The Luckiest Number: Seven-themed everything: snacks, drinks, maybe even costumes for extra silliness.
- More Theme Madness!
- Superheroes and Villains: Rules inspired by your favorites (Iron Man voice for 10, anyone?)
- Song Lyrics Extravaganza: Replace numbers with lines from popular songs. Can you get through the whole alphabet?
- Historical Figures Frenzy: Bust out those Napoleon impressions!
- Meme Mania: For the internet-obsessed, use viral memes and catchphrases as rules.
Tips for Themed Triumph
- Know Your Crowd: Pick a theme everyone loves and knows something about. Obscure movie references won’t be as fun.
- Prep Work Pays Off: Have a few rule ideas ready to get the ball rolling.
- Go All Out: Decorations, snacks, even costumes take your themed game to the next level!
VI. Cheers Around the World: Discover Global Drinking Games
Turns out, the world loves a good counting game with a side of adult beverages! Here’s a taste of how Cheers to the Governor gets a twist across the globe:
- Ring of Fire (Australia): Think of it like Cheers to the Governor’s rowdier cousin. Instead of saying numbers, you tap the table in a pattern. Mess up, and it’s drinks all around!
- Last Man Standing (Germany): This one’s a battle of focus! Count up, but replace multiples of a chosen number with actions (clapping, stomping, etc.). Last one left without messing up is the champion.
- Knucklebones (Ireland): Numbers meet charades! Everyone throws out hand signals representing numbers. It gets surprisingly tricky, surprisingly fast…and hilarious!
- Tequila King (Mexico): Like our Governor, but with tequila! The Tequila King sets increasingly wacky rules, and there’s lots of bluffing and trickery involved.
The World is Your Game Board!
This is just the start! Do some digging and see what other awesome variations are out there. Here’s where to look:
- Friends from Around the Globe: Got buddies who grew up elsewhere? They might have the perfect game to spice up your next party.
- Travel the Web: Blogs and websites dedicated to travel often have sections on local games.
- Game On!: There are forums for international game lovers – a goldmine for rule ideas!
VII. Safety First: Party Hard, Party Smart
Okay, let’s be real. Cheers to the Governor is a blast, but it’s easy to get a little carried away. Remember, drink responsibly, so the fun doesn’t turn into something you’ll regret tomorrow! Here’s how:
- Know Your Limits: Feeling a bit too loose? Time to take a break. Everyone handles alcohol differently, so don’t push yourself.
- Pace Yourself: Water is your best friend! Alternate those drinks, and maybe take a few rounds off to chill.
- Fuel Up: Food in your stomach slows down the party train. Snack breaks are a must!
- Hydration Station: Chug that water throughout the night. Tomorrow-you will be grateful.
- Plan Ahead: Designated driver? Safe rideshare plan? Have it sorted before the fun starts.
- Alcohol-Free Fun: Mocktails galore! Or invent a non-alcoholic version of the game – silly dares instead of drinks!
- Buddy System: Look out for your friends. Encourage each other to drink safely, and don’t let anyone get pressured.
