King's Game

Numbers are shuffled out face down and the king gives an order like "No. 3 to No. 5". Each player taps only their own name to peek, so the king draws a card without knowing who is who.

How to use

  1. Add three or more names (with two players only single-target orders come up).
  2. Press Deal numbers and pass the phone around — everyone taps their own name to peek, then taps again to hide it.
  3. Whoever got the crown says so and presses Draw an order. The numbers on the card are the targets. Deal again for the next round.

Orders name numbers, never people. If the card named a person, the king would know who they were picking before drawing — and the only thrill of this game is not knowing.

The king is excluded from the targets. An order you give yourself is just a dare card.

The extreme tier opens only after an age confirmation, which stays in this browser and is never sent anywhere.

The roster is shared with the other drinking games here, so you type the names once.

Question list

King's game order ideas — mild

Safe enough for a table with coworkers or people you just met.

  • Number 1 gives number 3 three genuine compliments
  • Number 2 talks like number 4 for 30 seconds
  • Numbers 1 and 2 say a random word at the same time — if they differ, both drink
  • Number 3 gives number 1 a nickname for tonight
  • Number 2 sings one line, number 5 sings the next
  • Number 4 describes their first impression of number 2 in one sentence
  • Number 1 asks number 3 one question — 3 has to answer
  • Number 5 keeps a straight face for 10 seconds while number 2 tries to break it
  • Number 3 shows their phone wallpaper
  • Numbers 1 and 4 invent a toast and shout it together

King's game order ideas — spicy

For a table that already knows each other well.

  • Number 2 names one strength and one flaw of number 5
  • Number 1 introduces number 3 in one sentence, like setting them up on a date
  • Number 4 shares one recent embarrassing story
  • Number 3 takes three questions from number 1 and answers all of them
  • Number 2 reveals the top name in their recent calls — first name only
  • Numbers 1 and 2 swap roles and talk as each other for 30 seconds
  • Number 5 names three of their own flaws

In depth

How the king's game works

The king's game deals one number per player, face down, and makes one of them the king. The king then gives an order that names numbers rather than people, so nobody knows they are on the hook until their number is called. That single unknown is the whole game.

A round has three beats: deal the numbers, let everyone peek at their own, then have the king read the order out while the named numbers own up. Deal again before the next round — reusing numbers lets people guess who is who by the second round.

Why a phone beats paper slips

The usual way to play is to tear up napkins or chopstick sleeves and write numbers on them. Handmade slips leak in two ways: the king's slip often looks different, and the slip sits on the table where a neighbour can read it.

Keeping the numbers on screen, hidden by default, removes both. Once everyone has peeked and re-hidden, the table shows nothing but Tap to check, and dealing again is one button instead of another torn napkin.

How the 32 orders were chosen

An order had to clear three rules: finishable in 30 seconds while seated, nothing physical or requiring you to leave the table, and no contacting a third party for real. Most party mishaps start with "go outside and…" or "text them right now".

So the deck leans on talk. Compliments, impressions, first impressions, taking questions — things that end at the table, and that anyone can swap for a sip if they would rather not.

Three heat levels and the age gate

Mild, spicy and extreme. Picking spicy keeps the mild cards in the deck as well, so the table does not jump straight to the deep end and the deck does not get thin.

Extreme unlocks only behind an age confirmation. A single checkbox would flip on with no friction at a table that includes minors or strangers, which is exactly when it should not. The confirmation lives in this browser only.

Sharing the roster and the card order

Retyping six names on a phone is the real friction in games like this. The share link packs the roster, the heat level and this round's seed into the URL, so whoever opens it sees the same names standing and gets the same numbers and card order.

The extreme tier never travels in a link. If one URL could unlock it, the age confirmation would mean nothing, so it applies only if the receiving browser has confirmed on its own.

What to play alongside it

If you would rather point at a person than a number, spin the bottle fits better. For a table that only wants questions, try truth or dare questions; for forced choices, the balance game.

When you only need to pick who drinks, dice or the ladder game is quicker. The king's game earns its place when nobody wants to keep inventing what the loser has to do.

FAQ

How many players do I need?

Three or more works best: a king plus two targets is what makes an order like "No. 3 to No. 5" possible. Two players still works, but the deck narrows itself to orders with a single target. The roster holds up to twelve names.

How are the numbers hidden?

Every seat starts as Tap to check. You have to tap your own name to see your number, and tapping again hides it. Since one phone goes around the table, hide your number before passing it on.

Does the king get an order too?

No, the king is left out of the targets. The king still holds a number, so after the round you can press Reveal the king to see who it was.

What is in the extreme tier?

Dating history and past confessions — first loves, types, exes, a linked-arm toast. Nothing explicit and nothing that asks for physical contact. It needs an age confirmation that stays in this browser.

What if someone cannot do the order?

They drink instead and play moves on, and a non-alcoholic drink counts. Pressuring someone ruins a table faster than any card.

Related tools

  • Balance Game — Pick one of two in secret, reveal together, minority drinks. Three heat levels.
  • Spin the Bottle — Spin to pick one person with equal odds, with back-to-back picks blocked.
  • Random Mission Cards — Draw a mission and finish it before the built-in timer runs out, or drink.
  • Five Fingers — Fold a finger when the statement is true for you. First to fold all five drinks.