How to play the "shotgun" game

Everyone has played it, but what are the official rules to the "shotgun" game?

Things You'll Need

• A Car
• Friends

Instructions

1. All players agree on the rules. Feel free to change any of these official rules to suit your taste.

2. Upon meeting the claim threshold, the first person to declare "shotgun!" gets to sit in the front seat.

3. The "claim threshold" is the point at which someone may declare "shotgun" to claim the front seat. Traditionally, this occurs when all players are en route to the car, and at least one player other than the driver is in plain view of the car.

4. The driver may not call shotgun.

5. An optional rule states that whomever called shotgun on the "way there" may not call shotgun on the "way back." Traditionally, this rule does not play, as it's a dog-eat-dog world out there, and if you can call shotgun both times, you deserve it.

6. The driver may override a shotgun call. This often occurs if one of the players is an attractive member of the appropriate gender. Deal with it.

7. Optional rules such as "first to touch the door," while fun, can cause injury and someone could potentially lose an eye. Play this rule at your own risk.

8. Anyone complaining that the shotgun game is for children, especially if most of the players are over 30, should be banned from playing and must sit in the back seat until they learn better.