Quick answer: You pour some of your drink into the center King’s Cup. The player who draws the fourth King must drink the entire cup.
What Does King Mean in King's Cup?
The King controls the game’s central finale. Keep track of how many Kings have appeared so everyone knows whether the next King is the fourth.
What Happens on Each King?
- First King: the drawer pours a small amount into the center cup.
- Second King: the second drawer adds a small amount.
- Third King: the third drawer adds a small amount.
- Fourth King: the drawer completes the finale agreed before the game—traditionally drinking the center cup.
The fourth King can appear at any point in the deck, so the round may end early. Some groups continue drawing afterward; decide that before starting.
Common King House Rule
Skip the mixed cup by adding written challenges to a bowl, earning one letter in KING, or answering a final trivia question.
House rules differ by group. Confirm the meaning before the first card is drawn, allow anyone to choose a non-alcoholic alternative, and never pressure a player to participate.