Game 3: Quarters
Date Collected: April 12, 2008
Quarters is a drinking game which actually goes back many years. I observed this game for a few rounds and discovered this unofficial sport/game has a very simple, standard set of rules:
• At least 5 players, 2 shot glasses, 2 quarters, one beer
• Players sit around a table with the beer in the middle
• A shot glass and quarter are placed on opposite sides of the circle to start.
• On the start, each player attempts to bounce the quarter off the table and into the shot glass.
• Once the player lands the quarter into the glass, they pass it on to the next player.
• The object is to pass up the shot glass in front of you. If this is accomplished, the player who is passed up must chug the beer in the middle and game starts over.
• If a player makes the bounce on the first attempt, the shot glass can be passed to any player at the table. Good strategy is to pass it to the player who sits before the player with the second shot glass in an attempt to pass him/her up sooner.
This was a fast paced game in which lots of banging on the table took place, as well as swearing, shouting, and cheering. This game can be difficult even when players are sober, so as they became more intoxicated the game took longer and longer.
Context: The few rounds I observed took place between male and female competitors. The game took place at a house party on April 12th,2008. I tended to find this game at more house parties where the crowd was somewhat smaller and the people were more acquainted with one another.