How to Play Spoons

Spoons is a drinking game for four or more people. It is played at high speed, and concentration is the key.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Spoons
• Cards
• Spoons

Playing the Game

1. Set up the players around a small table. Everyone should be able to reach the middle of the table without stretching.

2. Set up a number of spoons in the center of the table, with one less spoon than the number of players. Fan the handles to the outside in a starburst pattern.

3. Select one player to be the dealer, and deal 4 cards to each player.

4. Play begins when the dealer begins pulling cards off the deck one at a time, looking at the card to see if he wants to keep it, and then passing it or a discard from his own hand to the player at the right.

5. The person at the dealers left passes his cards to a discard pile.

6. The object of the game is to get four of a kind, but you don't have to announce it right away.

7. Although you have your 4, continue passing cards until the other players are distracted, then sneak a spoon from the middle of the table.

8. The other players must grab a spoon as soon as they see you take one.

9. The player left without a spoon must drink.

Tips & Warnings

• Speed is essential, both to make the game fast and fun, and to keep people distracted enough to sneak a spoon out.
• If the deck runs out without anyone getting four of a kind, begin passing the discard pile.
• Don't wait to hand the player at your right your discards. Set them on the table and let them stack up if they are playing too slowly.
• Don't use knives or forks instead of spoons. The frantic grab at the end can be vicious.

[ecm1980]

on 4/26/2009 We have played this game all my life in our family. But when was drinking put in? I have never in my life heard of playing spoons as a drinking game...it's a great game without it. However, good explanation of how to play.

[vallain]

on 12/2/2008 What's with the drinking? We never played it as a drinking game. It was just fun for the whole family, like musical chairs.

on 8/8/2006 Make sure the spoons are in a circle with the handles pointing out and the points touching in the center. If you get the first spoon, use it to hit the center of the rest of them. This will send them flying in all directions, chased by everyone left in the game. But be careful. I've seen more than one kitchen table destroyed when a group of adult men play this way, to say nothing of the loss of good silverware.

on 8/8/2006 There are many penalties that you can use instead of drinking. A person without a spoon could be kicked out of the game. You might blindfold that person, then make them eat a spoonful of whatever food substance you can think of. You could get a free arm punch, the victim having to do a Truth or Dare, etc, so be creative!

on 7/16/2006 This is used normally in the non-alcoholic way of playing. When you pick up your spoon, push all the rest of them down to the other end. Or flick one off the table near a person you don't like and pick up your spoon when they have their back turned.

NOTE 1: This is technically cheating, but sometimes you get away with it.
NOTE 2: Don't try this if you are inexperienced in spoons.

Strategy 2: Don't even bother with your cards, just pass them on and wait for someone else to get four and then just pick up a spoon.

NOTE: This can backfire really badly, say you had a 2,3,4 and a 5. And all the other people you were playing with, one had 3 2's one had 3 3's and one had 3 4's. ...