Sip, Roll, Repeat: 8 Fun Dice-based Drinking Games

When the clatter of dice meets the clinking of glasses, game night takes on a whole new personality. Dice-based drinking games are the perfect way to combine the fun of tabletop randomness with the social atmosphere of a party. If you are looking for ways to show off your favorite DND dice sets, gemstone dice, or even that quirky resin set you picked up, these games are a great excuse to get them on the table.

Whether you want something fast-paced or more strategic, dice games bring energy, laughter, and just the right amount of unpredictability. Below, you will find eight popular dice-based drinking games, along with rules and tips for making them part of your next celebration.

1. SHIP, CAPTAIN, CREW

Why it is popular: Ship, Captain, Crew is a true classic. It mixes luck with just enough strategy to keep everyone hooked.

How to Play:

• Each player rolls five dice.
• The goal is to get a 6 (the ship), a 5 (the captain), and a 4 (the crew).
• You have three rolls to achieve this sequence, keeping dice aside as you lock in the ship, captain, and crew.
• Once you have the trio, the remaining two dice represent “cargo” points.
• The player with the highest cargo assigns drinks, while anyone who fails to get the full trio drinks as a penalty.

Why it works with DND dice sets: If you have a metal dice set or gemstone dice, this game feels even more dramatic. The heavy clatter of a metal D20 on the table makes every attempt at locking in the ship, captain, and crew more exciting.

2. 7-11-DOUBLES

Why it is popular: This one is all about speed, tension, and sudden laughter. Everyone is on edge, waiting for the dice to land.

How to Play:

• Players take turns rolling two dice.
• If you roll a total of 7, 11, or doubles, you can pass the dice to another player.
• If you fail to do so, you must drink.
• The fun twist is that the dice keep moving quickly around the table, so nobody can relax for long.

Party Tip: This game is best with large groups, making it ideal for birthdays, New Year’s parties, or any gathering where people want a quick and lively activity.

3. DRUNKARD'S DICE

Why it is popular: It is a push-your-luck game that rewards risk-takers and punishes greed.

How to Play:

• Players roll six dice and score based on combinations, such as sets of matching numbers.
• After scoring, you can either stop and bank your points or keep rolling.
• Push too far and roll a losing combination, and you not only lose points but also take a drink.

Why it works with fancy dice: If you own resin dice with glitter or gemstone dice with striking patterns, this is the game to use them. The rolling is frequent and flashy, which means your dice will be the star of the table.

4. THREE MAN

Why it is popular: This game is chaotic and hilarious, perfect for groups who enjoy fast-moving social rules.

How to Play:

• Players roll two dice.
• If the total equals 3 or includes a 3 (like rolling 2 and 1), the designated “Three Man” drinks.
• Other rolls trigger different rules, such as assigning drinks or starting a mini side-game.
• After a while, the role of Three Man may be passed to another player, keeping the game unpredictable.

Social Bonus: Because the Three Man is often drinking more than the rest, it creates funny moments that become running jokes for the night.

5. ROLL FOR SHORTS

Why it is popular: Simple, high-stakes, and easy to explain.

How to Play:

• Each player rolls a single die.
• Whoever rolls the lowest number must take a shot.
• Variations include making the lowest two players drink, or reversing the rule so the highest roller drinks instead.

Dice Twist: Try using oversized dice for more drama. A giant resin D20 rolling across the table makes everyone lean in to see who will be unlucky.

6. QUARTORS WITH DICE

Why it is popular: It adds a dicey twist to a drinking game most people already know.

How to Play:

• Normally, players bounce a quarter off the table into a cup.
• In this variation, you must first roll a certain combination (such as doubles) before you earn the right to bounce the quarter.
• If you miss, you drink.

Why it’s fun with dice sets: Using colorful resin dice or metallic dice makes the roll feel more official and adds flair before the quarter even hits the cup.

7. DRUNK JENGA

Why it is popular: Everyone loves Jenga, and adding dice to the mix makes the game even more unpredictable.

How to Play:

• Each Jenga block has a written challenge, such as “take a drink” or “assign two drinks.”
• Before pulling a block, you roll dice to determine which block number you must pull.
• Failing to remove the block cleanly means you drink in addition to completing the challenge.

Extra Fun: Have players bring their own custom dice sets, so every roll feels personal. Watching a gemstone die tumble before a tense block pull is oddly thrilling.

8. KINGS WITH DICE

Why it is popular: Kings is already a party classic with a deck of cards, but adding dice brings new surprises.

How to Play:

• Assign each number on the dice to a card action (such as 1 = waterfall, 2 = you, 3 = me, etc.).
• Players roll dice to determine which action happens.
• Because dice rolls are more random than card draws, the game has a different rhythm and keeps everyone guessing.

Party Vibe: This works well for big groups, especially when everyone is ready to laugh at whatever ridiculous rule comes next.

TIPS FOR HOSTING A DICE DRINKING GAME NIGHT

If you plan to host an evening full of dice and drinks, here are a few tips to make it smooth and fun:

• Use good dice: A high-quality DND dice set rolls more consistently and looks great. Resin dice are colorful and fun for parties, while gemstone dice bring elegance to the table.
• Have snacks ready: Drinking games are more fun when balanced with food. Finger foods like chips, pretzels, or pizza are easy to serve.
• Keep rules simple: Too many complex instructions can slow down the fun. Stick to easy-to-remember rules.
• Stay safe: Always encourage moderation, know your limits, and have water on the table. The goal is to have fun, not to regret the night.

WHY DICE MAKE THESE GAMES BETTER

Dice have always been about chance and drama. In role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons, dice decide the fate of entire worlds. In drinking games, they decide who sips, who laughs, and who ends up telling stories about the night later on.

Bringing your favorite dice sets into these games gives them personality. If you have gemstone dice, every roll feels weighty and dramatic. If you prefer resin dice, the bright colors and swirls catch the light, making them fun to watch as they tumble. And if you use metal dice, every roll sounds powerful as it hits the table.

In short, dice turn ordinary drinking games into something memorable.

FINAL CHEERS

From Ship, Captain, Crew to Drunk Jenga, dice-based drinking games combine the randomness of rolling with the camaraderie of sharing drinks. They are easy to set up, fun to play, and flexible enough to adapt to your group.

So next time you are planning a celebration, grab your favorite DND dice sets, pour some drinks, and let the dice decide your fate. Whether you are playing with gemstone dice that sparkle in the light, resin dice full of color, or heavy metal dice that make every roll sound like a drumbeat, you are guaranteed a night full of laughs, stories, and good company.

Cheers to dice, friends, and unforgettable game nights.