Ride the bus

Infobox CardGame
title = Ride the bus
subtitle =
image_link =
image_caption =
alt_names =
type = Drinking
players = 3-7
num_cards = 52
deck = Anglo-American
play = Clockwise
card_rank = Ace(A)-Two(2)
origin =
related = Drunk Driver
playing_time = 15 minutes
random_chance =
skills =
footnotes =

Ride the bus is a drinking game played through using a standard pack of cards and enough alcohol to support the required players.The recommended number of players is between 3 and 7.If 8 play, one acts as dealer and receives no hand, this rotates each round.

The object of the game is to have the fewest cards at the end of the round.

Setting Up

The first part of the game is for the dealer to set up the table of cards, called The Bus.This requires placing 10 cards face down on the table in a non-overlapping triangle.The triangle consists of 4, 3, 2 and 1 card per layer, with the apex facing the dealer.

Dealing

The dealer deals five cards to each player, beginning on their left. Remaining cards are left aside in the pile.The pile is left aside as it will be used at the end of the round.

The dealer then turns a card in the furthest row of the "Bus".All players with a card with the same face value may choose to play as many as they have.If a player has a playable card, they nominate any other player to take a drink of the victim's choice.

Play continues with the Dealer gradually showing every card in the Bus, being sure to empty each row before uncovering the next.

The round ends once the card in the bottom row of the Bus has been acquired.

End of Round

Once play has finished, all players count up their cards.If no player has four or more cards, the round is over and a new round is begun as in Setting Up.However, if any players have four or more cards, someone must "Ride the Bus".This person is chosen as the player with the most cards. However, if more than one player has the same number of cards, players each take the topmost card from the pile, continuing until one player has a card greater than the others.

Riding the Bus

All cards are collected and shuffled, leaving the "pile" separate.The pile is then used to deal out another "bus" until it is exhausted, the shuffled cards are then used to complete the bus.Whilst riding the bus, the following cards are designated the following ranks:Jack: 1 drink.Queen: 2 drinks.King: 3 drink.Ace: 4 drinks.

The chosen player must then pick "one" card from the longest row, picking one card from each row in order until they reach the short row. If the player selects one of the listed cards above they must take the required number of drinks, remove all upturned cards, replace them with cards from the shuffled deck, and begin from the top row again. They have successfully ridden the bus when the overturn the last card (the card in the shortest) without overturning one of the cards listed above.

Play then continues as in Setting Up.

An alternative method of Ride involves the Rider being dealt a row with a predetermined number of cards. Drinks are only taken with face cards, as above; however, additional cards are simultaneously added to the row, using the same formula: 1 card for a Jack, 4 for an Ace, etc. E.g. if a King is drawn, the Rider takes 3 drinks, and 3 additional (unseen) cards are added to the end of his row. This method is a simplified version of the previous, while maintaining the principles and integrity of the game.

In playing this method, the number of cards in the initial row is generally about ten. Any number of cards up to twelve ensures that the deck of cards will not run out before the bus is finished; playing with more cards introduces the possibility of the deck expiring and requiring reshuffling, leading to many more drinks, and the slim possibility of a never-ending game.

Variation ("Drunk Driver")

This is a two person game, one dealer and one "driver". The dealer lays out 4-8 cards face down, depending on the "drive" the "driver" wants. The rules are fairly simple: for every face card that the driver turns over, they have to take a shot of corresponding value in addition to having the same number of cards put down (Jacks: +1, Queens: +2, Kings: +3, Aces: +4). If doubles are ever revealed two shots are taken. This game is typically done with beer as to extend the drive. The point of the game is to get to a point where no face cards are revealed. If the dealer goes through the entire deck, the drive simply starts over again once the deck has been shuffled. In the interest of parity, DD's can also play "Designated Driver" in which another beverage is substituted for alcohol, but that beverage also needs to be esoteric: Soy milk, for example.

Pass The Keys RuleJokers can be included in the deck. When a joker is flipped, the player now may designate another player to complete the round for him/her (pass the keys).

External links

* [http://media.www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2005/09/30/Pulp/Game-Plan.Ride.The.Bus-1004494.shtml?norewrite200605030913&sourcedomain=www.dailyorange.com "Game Plan: Ride the Bus"] , 9/30/05, "The Daily Orange"
* [http://www.mydrinkinggames.com/ridethebus.htm "Drinking Games Rules: Ride The Bus"]