Up and Down the River
Four face-up cards each, the dealer draws – whoever has the value drinks. Doubling every round.
Also known as: Ride the River
How do you play Up and Down the River?
One player is the dealer and lays four cards face up in front of each player. Then the dealer draws a card from the deck.
Whoever has a card of the same value drinks – one sip per matching card. The number of sips doubles every round.
After the fourth round the game turns: the dealer draws a fifth card, and whoever has that value may give out four sips.
Agree on drinks and amounts before you start. The game works just as well without alcohol.
What you need for Up and Down the River
Missing something? Here’s matching equipment.
Deck of cards
Plastic cards survive spilled drinks.
Our pick: Copag 1546 Plastic Playing Cards, Poker Size, Red/Blue (Jumbo Index, 2 decks)
See a matching card deckAd – Affiliate link (advertising)Alternative: KEM Arrow Black & Gold Plastic Playing Cards, Poker Size (2 decks)* – Affiliate link (advertising)
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Up and Down the River: FAQ
How many players do you need for Up and Down the River?
Up and Down the River is played with 3–8 players.
What do you need for Up and Down the River?
For Up and Down the River you need: Deck of cards, plus drinks of your choice.
How hard are the rules of Up and Down the River?
Rule difficulty: Medium. The instructions above are all you need to start.
Can you play Up and Down the River without alcohol?
Yes. Up and Down the River works just as well with water, soft drinks or alcohol-free beer. Agree on drinks and amounts before you start.