Basketball Drinking Games

By Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief Updated: 02 January 2023

Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief

Blake Roberts is the founder of Betting.US and is currently heading the creative team as Editor in Chief. Born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia, Blake is a great sports fan, with football and basketball being his favorite. He’s our trusted voice for all betting-related matters.

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Basketball Drinking Games

Are you looking for a way to make watching basketball games with your friends more exciting? Then you’ll want to consider these basketball drinking games. They are all extremely easy to play and can be enjoyed with as few or as many friends as you wish. So let’s get started!

🍺 About Drinking Games
🎓 NCAA Drinking Game
🏀 NBA Drinking Game
🌍 All Basketball Drinking Games
❓ Frequently Asked Questions

About Drinking Games

Drinking games come in many different variations. Essentially, most involve a group of participants that must drink a set volume of alcohol when certain events happen. Usually, the object of the game is to try not to drink too excessively, as you can find yourself getting too inebriated very quickly.

Of course, these games are meant to be enjoyable, so it’s important that you don’t drink an excessive amount that is dangerous. While we’ve recommended some volumes of alcohol to take during the basketball drinking games, you can alter these volumes to prolong your enjoyment and play more responsibly.

You’ll also find that some revolve around whether you have placed a wager on the games in question. We suggest that you sign up with a basketball betting app before you start and place wagers on the game as this will further up the stakes of these exciting drinking competitions.

NCAA College Basketball

The NCAA college basketball competition is great for both betting on and playing drinking games. The most exciting time of the year for both activities is March when the March Madness tournament is in full swing. Otherwise, you can enjoy drinking games for college basketball between November 7 and March 12.

The Set-Up

Before you start, choose the game that you want to play the basketball drinking game with. Assemble some friends, whether in-person or online and watch the game together. Make sure that you have enough drinks to last you the whole game. Also, decide on the volume of alcohol to be consumed with each trigger, whether it be a sip, a cup, or a shot. You’ll also need to back one team to win.

The Rules

You will need to drink a different amount of alcohol depending on the event. The more rare or exciting the event, the more that you’ll have to drink.

Firstly, have 1 drink every time:

A team scores on a fast break
When the team you bet against hits a 3-pointer
When a player from your backed team fouls someone
A player on your team misses a free-throw
A time-out is called by your team

Have 2 drinks every time:

A player on your team misses a layup
A player on your team misses a dunk
An announcer says “true freshman”
An announcer says “one and done”
An announcer brings up the tournament bubble
A player on the other team gets an and-one on a three point shot

Have 3 drinks every time:

A player on your team fouls out
An announcer says “true sophmore”
A player on the other team slam-dunks
An announcer compliments a player on the other team’s academic record

Have 4 drinks every time:

When a technical foul is called on your team’s coach
When the other team scores a deep
If the other team scores a buzzer-beating shot
When any player scores through a foul
If a fight ever breaks out
A player gets an “and-one” on a three point shot
An announcer brings up recruiting rankings

NBA Games

This basketball drinking game is also very similar but features alternative drinking actions. It’s best when played while watching NBA games. It’s also important that you pick a team to back, and we suggest betting a line bet at least one team if you want to up the stakes. You’ll find a great legal NBA online sportsbook on our expert guide.

The Set-Up

This NBA drinking game may result in fast intoxication due to the quick nature of professional basketball and the fact that matches tend to be shorter than other professional sports. Once you’ve backed your team, be sure to have enough alcohol. We suggest either half-shots of hard liquor or a sip of beer. It can be helpful to have some poured out in advance.

The Rules

This game can be fun when there are enough players involved to separate your friends into teams based on who backed who. You’ll either drink based on the performance of your team or the other team.

Take a drink when a team scores:

1 drink or 1 half-shot when the team you bet against scores
2 drinks or 1 shot for every 15 points that the team you bet against scores
x

Take a drink when players foul:

1 drink or 1 half-shot when a player from your team fouls
2 drinks or 1 shot when a player on your team reaches 3 fouls
3 drinks or 1.5 shot when a player on your team fouls out
2 drinks or 1 shot for all players when a technical foul is called

Take a drink after exciting events:

1 drink or half-shot when a player on your team is charged with a turnover
1 drink or half-shot when the other team makes a buzzer-beating shot
2 drinks or 1 shot when a player on the other team slam dunks

NOTE: At the end of the game, the losing team must shotgun a whole beer. You can change the rules so that all players drink when special events happen.

All Basketball Games

While the other games are fun to play for NBA games or college games specifically, we wanted to provide a basketball-themed drinking game that you can enjoy on all events, whether minor, major, or international league events. This is particularly useful for late nights when there are only international games to wager on.

The Set-Up

This game is best when played in two teams. Each drinking team should back a different basketball team, with or without a bet. It can be especially enjoyable when all players put in to fund the same bet. Players will then drink depending on the performance of their players.

The Rules

Players on one team take 1 drink when:

The opposing team scores
When a player on your team is fouled
When a player on your team is blocked at the rim

Players on one team take 3 drinks when:

When a player on your team misses a free throw
The opposing team slam dunks
When your team is down 10 or more points at the quarter

Finish a full drink when:

Your team loses
When a player on your team is fouled out

This game can be altered by adding your own rules and changing the volume of drinks to be consumed with each event. One variation could see the volume increase with each quarter. You may also designate a ‘backed player’ on your team. When this player on your team or the opposing team triggers a drink, you must double the volume.