Quarters Drinking Game Rules: Classic and Speed Quarters

Quarters is the original bar game: bounce a quarter off the table and into a glass. Make it and you pick who drinks. Miss and the quarter moves on. All you need is a coin, a glass and a hard table, which is why it’s been around longer than beer pong.

What you need

  • A hard, flat table (wood works better than glass or a tablecloth)
  • A quarter or two
  • A short, wide glass or cup to bounce into, plus a drink for each player
  • 3 or more players

Classic Quarters

  1. Put the empty glass in the middle of the table and sit around it.
  2. The first player bounces the quarter off the table, aiming for the glass. The quarter has to hit the table first; dropping it straight in doesn’t count.
  3. Make it and you pick someone to take a drink, then shoot again.
  4. Miss and the quarter passes to the player on your left.
  5. Three in a row earns you a rule that lasts the rest of the game, like no pointing or drink with your left hand only. Anyone who breaks it drinks.

Speed Quarters

  1. Give two shot glasses and two quarters to players sitting across from each other.
  2. On “go”, both bounce until they make it, then pass the glass and quarter to the left.
  3. If you make your shot while the player to your left is still shooting, stack your glass into theirs. They drink, then keep shooting into the stack.
  4. Make it on your first try and you can pass to anyone.

Tips

  • Grip it flat between your thumb and first finger, and bounce it about a hand’s length in front of the glass.
  • Firm and flat beats high and fancy. Save the arc for pong.
  • Beer or seltzer, not shots. Quarters speeds up once someone gets hot, so keep water on the table.

FAQ

Does the quarter have to bounce?

Yes. It has to hit the table before it goes in.

What do you bounce it into?

A short, wide glass for classic Quarters, or a shot glass for Speed Quarters.

Can you play without alcohol?

Yes. Swap drinks for points or dares.

More party games: Circle of Death (Kings Cup), Power Hour, Rage Cage, Slap Cup, Chandeliers, flip cup, Boat Race, Beer Die, Beer Ball, Dizzy Bat. See them all on our party games page, or play the classic with the full rules of beer pong.