Quarters

1 Overview

Quarters is a classic drinking game in which players take turns bouncing a quarter off a hard surface and trying to land it in a glass. When successful, the shooter assigns a drink to any other player and gets to keep shooting. Miss and the quarter passes to the next person. Requires no preparation, no special equipment, and works for 3 to 10 players.

Drink responsibly. Know your limits.

2 Setup

• 1 quarter (or similar coin)
• 1 shot glass or short cup in the center of the table
• Drinks for each player

Players sit in a circle around the table. The glass goes in the center. Choose who goes first -- typically the person who suggests playing.

3 Gameplay

1. The current shooter holds the quarter and bounces it off the table, aiming to land it in the glass.
2. The quarter must bounce off the table before going into the glass. You cannot drop or toss directly.
3. Miss: Pass the quarter to the player on your left.
4. Make it: See "When You Make It" below. You keep shooting until you miss.

4 When You Make It

• First make: Assign 1 drink to any player of your choice.
• Second consecutive make: Assign 2 drinks to any player (can be split or all to one).
• Third consecutive make: Make a rule. Any rule you declare applies for the rest of the game. Common examples: no first names, no pointing, no swearing. Violations result in a drink.
• After your third consecutive make, you may continue shooting. Each subsequent consecutive make lets you assign drinks and optionally create additional rules.

5 Bouncing Technique

• Flat drop from low height. Hold the quarter flat and drop it from 4 to 6 inches above the table surface. A flat drop creates a predictable arc.
• Consistent wrist motion. Some players prefer a slight forward flick of the wrist to add spin and control. Experiment and find what gives you consistent results.
• Distance matters. Most players bounce from 8 to 12 inches from the glass. Too close removes the arc; too far loses accuracy.
• The table surface matters. Hard, smooth surfaces (glass tables, lacquered wood) give better, more consistent bounces than soft or textured surfaces.

6 Variants

Speed Quarters

Two glasses and two quarters start at opposite ends of the table. Two players shoot simultaneously. If you make it before the player behind you in the sequence, that player drinks. Fast, chaotic, and great for large groups.

Survivor Quarters

Set a number (e.g., 5 makes wins the game). First player to land 5 consecutive makes wins and chooses one person to finish their drink.

Reverse

If you land the quarter in the glass and immediately call "reverse," the turn order switches direction for that round.

7 FAQ

8 Common Mistakes

Bouncing from Too High

The most common beginner mistake is dropping the quarter from too far above the table. A high drop creates too much bounce energy, sending the quarter flying past the glass. Keep your drop height between 4 and 8 inches above the table surface. The quarter should rise only a few inches after hitting the table before curving into the glass.

Using the Wrong Glass

A tall glass is harder to land in than a short glass because the opening is farther from the table. Standard rules use a shot glass. If you substitute a taller glass, the game becomes significantly harder and the pace slows down. When choosing a glass, lower and wider is easier; taller and narrower is harder.

Ignoring the Rule About the Bounce

The defining rule of Quarters is that the coin must bounce off the table before landing in the glass. Dropping the quarter directly into the glass (without a bounce) does not count as a make. Some new players do this accidentally; others try to game it. Make sure everyone agrees on this rule before the first shot.

Not Clarifying Consecutive Make Rules

Arguments most often arise around what counts as "three consecutive makes." Clarify at the start whether a miss resets the count entirely or just pauses it. Standard rules say any miss resets to zero consecutive makes, even if the shooter made 10 in a row before.

9 Responsible Play

Quarters can escalate quickly because skilled players can make multiple consecutive shots and assign many drinks in a short window. Keep the following in mind to make sure the game stays enjoyable for everyone.

• Set drink size before you start. A "drink" should be clearly defined. Typically one sip from a standard-sized beer, not a gulp, not a full cup. Ambiguity about drink size leads to either boring or dangerously rapid consumption.
• Cap consecutive makes. A common house rule limits a single player to assigning no more than 5 to 6 drinks per turn, no matter how many consecutive makes they achieve. This prevents one skilled player from dominating the entire game.
• Non-alcoholic participation. Quarters works perfectly with non-alcoholic drinks. The coin-bouncing skill element is the same regardless of what is in the glass. Non-drinking players can take a sip of water or soda, or simply pass on the drink and accept a different social penalty agreed on before the game.
• Know your limits. No game outcome is worth your health. If anyone is feeling unwell, the game stops. Period.