4 Jeopardy! Drinking Games to Get You Buzzing!

As the pandemic danger starts to wane in many places, and the world opens up, you’re going to want to get together with pals and have a raucous time. But, also, you don’t want to miss your favorite tv quiz show, Jeopardy!, like, ever.

Socializing vs. ‘Must-See TV’ (but not Must-See TV): The Eternal Struggle.

What to do?

We suggest that you stock up on some alcoholic libations, invite your adult pals to watch with you (virtually, if that’s your jam!), and play a Jeopardy! drinking game! 

Of course, we don’t advocate this as a daily activity; y’all understand that drinking games are just occasional fun, right? You’re smart and know that your livers can only process so much? (Will that do for a legal/health disclaimer? I’m not a doctor.) Remember, too, if you’re going to be drinking to also have plenty of food on hand. (We have some fun snack ideas as well!)

That having been said, here are a few ways to play:

Jeopardy! Drinking Game #1: The Classic!

This drinking game is based on the things that come up on the show often, and a few things that don’t. Here’s what to do:

Take a Sip

• When Johnny Gilbert’s voice bellows “This. Is. Jeopardy!” (ya gotta warm up, right?)
• When a contestant gets an answer wrong.
• When there are still clues left at the end of a round.

Take a Gulp

• When one contestant clears a full category.
• When someone gets a ‘True Daily Double’ (wagers everything, answers correctly)
• When there is a ‘Triple Stumper’ (ie, no one responds correctly or at all)

Drink Everything In Sight

• When a category is left untouched at the end of a round.
• When someone bets everything on a Daily Double and gets it wrong.
• When NO ONE answers the Final Jeopardy! clue correctly.

Jeopardy! Drinking Game #2: Adopt a Player!

In this variation, each lush participant chooses one player to follow throughout the game, and bases their imbibing on that one contestant’s performance. 

(It’s fairer to choose these randomly, btw; first dibs will always be on the champion, so a dibs-based system will make people crabby before the show even begins!)

Take a Sip

• When your contestant gets an answer wrong.
• When there are still clues left at the end of a round.
• When your contestant answers a Double Jeopardy! clue correctly.

Take a Gulp

• When your contestant clears a full category.
• When your contestant gets an answer right after another player has answered incorrectly.
• When your contestant gets a ‘True Daily Double.’

Drink Everything In Sight

• If your contestant doesn’t answer a single clue correctly in a round.
• If your contestant doesn’t make it to Final Jeopardy! because they have no money.
• When NO ONE answers the Final Jeopardy! clue correctly.

Jeopardy! Drinking Game #3: Competition!

In this version, you need to keep your brain on straight, because it’s up to YOU and your smarts to keep from getting alcohol poisoning. This can DEFINITELY get trickier as the game goes,  and you drink, on.

Take a Sip

• When someone else shouts out the correct answer before both you and the contestants can answer
• If a contestant shares your first name or hometown.
• Whenever you swear out loud out of frustration. (This can add up fast!)

Take a Gulp

• When you shout out an incorrect answer.
• When you can’t answer a single thing in a category.
• When no one you’re playing/drinking with can answer a question.

Drink Everything In Sight

• If you’ve accidentally taken too long a bathroom break during commercials (those drinks can work quickly!) and miss the beginning of the new round.
• When someone else watching with you knew the Final Jeopardy! clue and you did not
• When NO ONE (on stage, or at your party) answers the Final Jeopardy! Clue correctly. (Sensing a pattern?)

Jeopardy! Drinking Game #4: Tropes!

This version is not based on gameplay so much as on the clichés of Jeopardy! What do I mean? Read on! You’ll definitely recognize a few of them. 

Take a Sip

• If one of the contestants is a lawyer or librarian (the most common professions for players).
• If a contestant’s story in the interview segment is about how they met their spouse.
• If a contestant is asked how they would spend their winnings and they answer ‘Travel.’

Take a Gulp

• When every player avoids a sports category until it is inevitable.
• If EVERY player is a lawyer or librarian.
• When the host or a contestant tries to pronounce a foreign word like a native language speaker, even when they aren’t.

Drink Everything In Sight

• When someone doesn’t know the answer, so they respond with ‘Turd Ferguson.’
• If the classic ‘Potent Potables’ category shows up.
• When NO ONE answers the Final Jeopardy! clue correctly. (This kinda feels like it should be a rule even when you AREN’T playing a drinking game.)

So there you have it: Four fun variations of how to get hammered while watching America’s Favorite Quiz Show™. Feel free to mix and match the rules, or to combine them all into one truly chaotic Jeopardy! Mega-Drinking Bacchanal! For more Jeopardy!-related fun, check out this list of the 25 dirtiest questions and answers! And if you’re looking for more adult trivia party games, check out our ideas for strip Trivial Pursuit, as well as some more trivia-related drinking games.

Cheers!