True American is a unique combination of a drinking game, an obstacle course, and pure chaotic fun. It’s like someone blended Twister with beer pong, then threw in a dash of pop culture trivia for good measure. The beauty of True American is that it’s super flexible. You can play with a few friends or a whole party crowd. Plus, the rules are loose enough that you can customize it to your liking, making it a different experience every time.
Here’s brief summary of how you play:
- The Setup: Create a “castle” (table) with a bottle of liquor (“the king”) and beers arranged around it (“pawns”). Designate four “zones” with furniture or objects to stand on (the floor is lava!).
- Turns and Movement: Players take turns moving clockwise around their zone, earning the right to grab a “pawn” (beer) and advance zones.
- Trivia and Challenges: Each turn involves a pop-culture challenge or a silly action to complete.
- Winning: The first player to reach the “castle” and take a swig from the “king” wins!
Hold onto your butts – by the end of this post, you’ll know everything you need to host your own True American party and embrace the glorious chaos!
Section 1: True American Basics: What You’ll Need
1. Clear the Room!: Safety First for True American Fun
Okay, maybe we won’t be landing any crazy flips, but here’s the thing: True American gets messy and chaotic! Think of it as an indoor obstacle course fueled by drinks and laughter. That’s why we need to prioritize safety for maximum enjoyment.
Imagine the Chaos: Picture this: you’re scrambling for the last beer in the zone, someone’s yelling “Types of Cereal!” and BAM! You trip over that coffee table that definitely shouldn’t be in the playing area.
Safety Isn’t Boring, It’s Smart: We want the focus to be on the game, not on dodging injuries. Let’s take a few minutes to create a safe, open space for all the True American action.
Quick Safety Checklist:
- Furniture Shuffle: Move chairs, sofas, and tables out of the playing area. Think about creating a large, open circle to move around in.
- Out with the Rugs: Roll up any area rugs to prevent slipping.
- Save the Breakables: Secure lamps, picture frames, etc., to avoid accidental damage.
- Obstacle Check: If you use pillows, blankets, or other items as part of the course, make sure they are stable and won’t cause trips.
The More Open Space, the Better: The clearer the playing field, the better the flow of the game and the lower the risk of hilarious (but potentially painful) collisions!
2. Build the Castle: Detailed instructions on setting up the central beer ‘castle’
Okay, now it’s time to create the heart of True American – the glorious beer castle! This is the focal point of the game, where all the action will converge.
- Choose Your Castle Location: Find a spot in the center of the room with plenty of space around it. A small table or even a sturdy box works as your Castle’s foundation.
- Place the King: Your bottle of liquor is royalty! Pop it right in the middle of your table – long live the King!
- Create the Pawn Lines: Now for the soldiers. Arrange your beer cans in four straight lines going outwards from the King. Think of them like protective walls (that you’ll soon be tearing through). Aim for at least 5 beers per line.
- Secure Your Castle (Optional): We don’t want a castle collapse mid-game! If you’re worried about things getting wobbly, slip some coasters or cut-up cardboard under the King and the base of your beer lines.
3. Create the Course: Step-by-step for designing zones and choosing obstacles
Okay, now we turn your living room into a chaotic, hilarious obstacle course! Remember, the goal is to make it fun, challenging, and (most importantly) safe.
- Visualize the Zones: Picture your room cut into four big zones, kinda like slices of a very weird pie. The Castle is the center, and those beer lines act like borders.
- Choose Your Obstacles (5 per Zone): Time to raid the house! Chairs, sofas, pillows, blankets, sturdy boxes – it all works. The weirder the mix of obstacles, the better. Aim for at least 5 obstacles per zone.
- Place Your Obstacles Strategically:
- Spread them out within each zone, but create a flow that encourages zigzagging, hopping, maybe even some creative limbo moves! Adjust the spacing and types of obstacles as needed to create a course that’s both fun and challenging.
- Safety Check: Make sure there’s enough space to maneuver between obstacles. Adjust your course layout to minimize the risk of collisions and keep the laughter flowing. A few light bumps are part of the fun, but we want to avoid serious injuries!
Section 2: True American Rules – Easy to Understand
1. Game Start
Forget organized starts – True American kicks off with a hilarious scramble that sets the tone for the whole game.
The Classic Start:
- Gather Your Players: Everyone participating in the game should huddle around the castle.
- Prepare for Takeoff: Have all players open a beer can.
- Yelling & Shenanigans: One player starts the countdown by yelling, “One, two, three…” followed by a random historical figure’s name (e.g., “JFK!”). Everyone else responds with the next logical figure in history (e.g., “FDR!”).
- The Beer Dash: The last person to shout out a name, or anyone who yells the wrong answer, is out! They have to finish their beer and sit out the next round.
- Grab Your Pawn: After the yelling settles (hopefully!), everyone rushes to grab a beer can from one of the lines radiating out from the castle.
- Find Your Starting Zone: Choose any of the four zones surrounding the castle to begin your journey.
Fun Variations to Spice Up the Start:
- Shotgun Start: Instead of opening beers beforehand, have everyone shotgun a beer at the beginning of the countdown. The first person to finish their beer gets the first pick of a pawn and zone.
- Quote Challenge: Instead of historical figures, the leader yells out the beginning of a famous quote. Everyone else has to shout out the next part of the quote. The last one or the person who gets it wrong finishes their beer and sits out.
- Dance Off: For a truly active start, yell out a random dance style after the countdown. Everyone has to bust a move in that style for a designated time (e.g., 5 seconds). The person who hesitates or can’t keep up finishes their beer and sits out.
2. Navigating the Madness: Movement Rules, Zones, and Winning Moves
The initial chaos has subsided, and now it’s time to strategize your path to the castle! Remember, the floor is your enemy – stick to the obstacles to stay in the game.
The Rules of Movement
- The Floor is Lava: The cardinal rule: the floor is off-limits! Use the obstacles within each zone as stepping stones to avoid elimination.
- One Space at a Time: On your turn, you can move one space clockwise to the next obstacle within your current zone.
- Zone Change: Once you conquer your current zone by reaching the ‘central space’ (the obstacle closest to the castle), you can advance to the next zone on your left.
Understanding Zones
- Four Zones, Four Paths: The playing area is divided into four equally sized zones arranged around the castle.
- Obstacle Islands: Think of the furniture and items in each zone as your lifeline. Use them wisely to progress through the zone!
- The Central Space: Each zone has a ‘central space’ – the obstacle closest to the castle. This is key for winning!
How to Win Moves
- The Count: Each round starts with a countdown. One player yells a number (one to five) – that’s how many spaces you must move on your turn.
- Challenge Time! The same player also picks a category (e.g., types of candy, movie stars, 90s sitcom characters). The goal is to quickly name items in that category without repeating or hesitating. Drink up if you mess up!
- Claim Your Pawn: The last person standing in the challenge wins the round and gets to immediately grab a “pawn” (beer) from the castle and chug it. This also gets you closer to the King!
3. Sample Challenges Inspired by “New Girl” and Ideas for Customization
True American is a hilarious mix of obstacles and quick-thinking challenges. Use these ideas as a starting point, and let your imagination run wild!
“New Girl” Inspired Challenges:
- The Nick Miller Quote Challenge: One player shouts out a memorable Nick Miller quote. The others must complete the quote or name the episode it was from.
- Jess’ Quirky Categories: Think like Jess with categories like: “Types of Birds”, “Reasons to Call Your Mom”, or “Emotions Expressed Through Dance.”
- Schmidt-isms: Someone shouts out a classic Schmidt line (e.g., “Youths!”). Others have to act out the scene or come up with even more ridiculous Schmidt-like sayings.
- Winston’s Pranks: The challenge could mimic one of Winston’s pranks (messy ones off-limits, of course!). Think harmless riddles or silly scavenger hunts.
Customization: Make It Your Own
- Pop Culture Fanatics: Love movies, music, or memes? Base your challenges on your favorite fandoms.
- Get Active: Incorporate challenges that require physical skill (balancing, silly poses, etc.) to mix things up!
- Themed True American: Plan a themed party and make the challenges match (think 80s movies, superheroes, or your favorite TV show). View our TV Show & movie drinking games list if you need an idea.
Winning Connection: Remember, these challenges are what earn you those moves on the board and get you closer to the castle! “
4. Winning the Crown: How to Claim Victory at the Castle
After navigating the zones, dodging challenges, and downing those pawns, the ultimate goal is to reach the castle and become King or Queen of True American! Here’s how it goes down:
- The Final Push: Once the castle is empty of beer pawns, the race to the center is on! Players can move as many spaces as they like if possible.
- Claim the Throne: The first player to reach a central space in any zone gets to dash to the castle.
- Drink & Conquer: Here’s how to seal your victory:
- Finish Your Beer: If you have a beer in hand, finish it off!
- Take a Swig from the King: Grab the liquor bottle at the center and take a triumphant swig.
- Declare Your Reign: Let loose with a hilarious victory cry! Think, “All hail the True American legend!” or something equally ridiculous.
Section 3: True American: Play it Your Way
The beauty of True American is its endless potential for customization. Here’s how to make it your own and take the party to the next level:
1. Team Mode: Cooperation & Competition
Dividing Teams: There are several ways to do this:
- Random Number Pick: Have everyone hold up a number between 1 and 4 on their foreheads. The numbers that match are on the same team!
- Themed Teams: If you have a themed party, divide teams according to the theme (e.g., Superheroes vs. Villains)
Teamwork Tactics: Players on the same team can strategize and help each other get to the castle. They also win as a team – the first person from their team to reach the castle claims victory for everyone!
Double the Chaos: With teams, you can introduce even crazier challenges, like two players from opposing teams having a thumb war while balancing on one leg!
2. Difficulty Tweaks: Adjusting the Game for Beginners or Hardcore Players
Beginner’s Luck: Make it easier for newcomers:
- Extra Pawns: Start with more beers in the castle for more chances to move.
- Simpler Challenges: Start with easy categories and less pressure.
The Hardcore Challenge: For True American veterans, ramp up the difficulty:
- Fewer Pawns, More Intensity: Less alcohol means fewer opportunities to move and increased pressure.
- Obstacle Changes: Introduce wobbly or unstable obstacles mid-game for extra chaos.
- Brain-Busting Challenges: Categories that require deep knowledge or challenges involving trivia.
Section 4: Become a True American Master
You’ve played the basics, but now it’s time to level up your True American game! Here are some tips and strategies to become a true legend:
Pro Tips: Smoother Gameplay
- Obstacle Master: Before the game starts, take a mental tour of the zones and visualize routes you can take.
- Quick Thinker: Practice rapid-fire brainstorming in categories. This will come in handy during those tense challenges.
- Smooth Operator: Be a good sport throughout the game. Encourage fellow players, help clear obstacles if possible, and celebrate everyone’s victories.
Epic Variations: Creative Ideas for Themed True American Parties
- Historical Havoc: Build your course using old-timey furniture, dress up in historical costumes, and use trivia categories based on different eras. The King could even be a bottle of mead!
- Superhero Showdown: Obstacles become superhero challenges (balancing poses, riddles), and the liquor bottle is replaced with a “kryptonite” prop.
- Fandom Frenzy: Center everything around your favorite shared fandom (Harry Potter, Star Wars, etc.) Decorate with themed items, create challenges based on trivia, and see who reigns supreme as the fandom master!
Additional Pro Tips
- The Rule Keeper: Designate one person to be familiar with all the rules and settle any disputes quickly so the game keeps rolling.
- Official Scoreboard (Optional): If your group is extra competitive, keep a scoreboard to track who has won the most rounds.
- The True American Trophy: Make or buy a silly trophy that the winner gets to hold onto until the next True American showdown.
The True American Master Mindset:
Beyond the strategies and silly themes, a true master embraces the spirit of the game. That means fostering a sense of fun, inclusivity, and just a dash of healthy competition. Encourage everyone to let loose and enjoy the ride!
Section 5: FAQ
Q: I don’t have much space. Can I still play True American? A: Absolutely! Scale your course down by using fewer obstacles and maybe making the zones smaller. Or, condense it to three zones instead of four. The key is to have enough obstacles to make it fun and challenging.
Q: It seems like a lot of alcohol. Are there non-alcoholic options? A: Yes! Replace the beer with your favorite soda or sparkling water. For the liquor bottle centerpiece, use a fancy juice bottle or a non-alcoholic spirit.
Q: What if I don’t have a lot of furniture to use? A: Get creative! Use pillows, blankets, overturned boxes, or even inflatable pool toys as obstacles. The goal is to make it challenging to navigate!
Q: Is True American safe for kids? A: Modify the game for all ages! Replace alcohol with kid-friendly drinks and focus on silly challenges like acting, charades, or drawing.
Q: Can I play True American outdoors? A: Definitely! If you have a backyard or park space, set up your course outside. Remember to use obstacles that can withstand the elements.
Q: How long does a typical game of True American last? A: There’s no set time limit, making it perfect for parties! A casual game can last around an hour, while more competitive groups might play for several rounds.
