Anyone can play cards. But when the dice start rolling, things get tactical. Dice drinking games bring risk, bluffs, and snap decisions to the table — and that's exactly what makes them so addictive. Here you'll find the best dice drinking games for people who want more than pure luck. Whether you're playing with beer, Aperol, or lemonade — the dice always roll.
📖 This article dives deeper into a topic from our guide Rules for dice games
What sets dice drinking games apart from card games
With card drinking games, you draw a card and react. With dice games, you make decisions. Roll again or hold? Bluff or play honest? That "should I really?" moment — that's when the whole table comes alive.
Dice drinking games are also faster. A round often takes less than a minute. That means nobody sits around waiting for their turn. Everyone's constantly in the game, constantly under pressure, constantly laughing.
The classic among dice games is Mäxchen — almost everyone knows it, and you only need two dice and a cup. But if you want something solid on the table, the wooden Shut the Box is the all-time favorite in our shop. Looks great, makes a satisfying clatter, and works with two or more players.
Pro tip: Upgrade your dice for a better experience
Standard dice work fine, but with heavy metal dice, every roll feels like an event. Our metal dice sets come in silver and gold — and yes, the flex factor at the table is very real.
How to get the most out of every dice drinking game
Mind your group size. Most dice games work best with three to six people. Two is fine too, but above eight it gets slow — better to switch to a group party game at that point.
Check your surface. Dice on glass sound like an earthquake. Dice on carpet disappear. A wooden table or a dice cup solves both problems. Sounds obvious, but it saves the evening.
Settle house rules immediately. Nothing kills the vibe faster than "that doesn't count!" in round four. Agree on the rules beforehand — including the penalty for cheating. Our recommendation: anyone caught cheating drinks double.
And if someone in the group doesn't drink alcohol: no problem. Dice games work just as well with soft drinks or non-alcoholic beer. The excitement comes from the game, not the drink.
▸ Reading tip
Mäxchen, Schocken, Chicago — all the essential dice game rules at a glance. So you don't have to Google them when it's time to play.
More drinking game categories
Dice aren't the only thing we do.
Dice game vs. card game — when you need which
Short answer: both. But if you have to choose, here's the honest breakdown.
Dice games win when the group is smaller, when strategy is wanted, and when you want something physical on the table. The clatter of the dice, the reveal under the cup — a card game doesn't have that.
Card games win with large groups, with people who don't know each other well, and when speed is key. Draw a card, read it out, do it. No explanation needed.
The best solution: bring both a dice game and a card game. Start with cards to warm up, then switch to dice once the vibe is set. Free shipping on orders over €50 makes it easy to bundle both into one order.
Dice drinking games that shake up every round
Whether it's Shut the Box, Mäxchen variants, or metal dice for the extra flex — here you'll find dice drinking games that deliver more than just chance. Get the game that takes your next night to a whole new level.
Free shipping on orders over €50
Frequently asked questions about dice drinking games
The classics are Mäxchen, Schocken, and Chicago — all you need is two dice and a cup. For more variety, there's Shut the Box as a wooden game or metal dice sets for your own game variations.
Most dice drinking games work with two or more players. The sweet spot is three to six players — enough dynamics, but everyone stays constantly in the game.
Of course. The excitement comes from bluffing and risk-taking, not from the drink. Just use soft drinks, juice, or non-alcoholic beer — works just as well.
At minimum: two dice, a cup, and drinks. With a set like Shut the Box or our metal dice, the evening gets a whole lot classier though.
Depends. Dice games bring more strategy and suspense, card games are quicker to explain and better for large groups. Best bet: bring both.