Game of Thrones Drinking Game - Hair of the Dog
Originally published August 2017Now that the show is well into its seventh season, I have finally taken the plunge and begun watching the first season of Game of Thrones myself. Good timing, right? For years, people have been telling me to watch it because "it would be something [I would] like." Due to laziness and accessibility, I hadn't gotten around to it till just recently. What I've learned, having finally taken the time to sit and watch the show, is that it certainly deserves something to make it a bit more interactive. How about a Game of Thrones drinking game?
Having read some of the books and having been told some of the revelatory moments in later seasons, I feel confident in coming up with some general rules that will apply to the various seasons of the show. George RR Martin's writing style indicated to me that while his cast of characters may change, what they say and do to one another will not. I imagine the show will share similar patterns.
Game of Thrones Drinking Game Rules - Hair of the Dog
Meme Moments
Since the show first came out, it was a meme goldmine. The internet was overflowing with pictures of Sean Bean leaning against his two-handed sword with the phrase "Winter is coming" printed below him. While that meme has died like many others when you say the phrase, people who haven't even seen the show still know what you're referencing. Even if you avoid social media and memes, it is nigh impossible to get away from the particular phrases of Game of Thrones that stick out in people's minds, who then regurgitate them like trained parrots. They're also said a lot in the show.
Take a sip of your drink whenever you hear one of the iconic phrases of the show you might recognize. This includes:
Winter is Coming
A Lannister Always Pays His/Her Debts
Summer Child
You Know Nothing, Jon Snow
Image: HBO
Titillating Triumphs
While later seasons and later books might reduce the amount of intercourse that takes place during the story, it still doesn't change the reputation the show has for being very nude and very HBO. HBO and Showtime love taking advantage of the fact that they have creative control over their shows and throwing in as much nudity and sex as they reasonably can to capture the attention of their audience. Even if you're bored by the political intrigue, you can still expect at least one pair of boobs to make their way on-screen at some point during the hour.
Take a sip of your drink whenever a new scene transpires that involves a sexual act, or if there is at least one pair of boobs visible.
Bonus: Take an extra sip or finish your drink if the scene includes some full-frontal action.
Bookmark Epitaph
If Game of Thrones was known for anything other than the amount of sex that takes place during the story, it would be for the amount of named characters who die. George RR Martin had very few qualms about killing off his characters who had a significant impact on the plot and the events therein. Since most movies and shows are reluctant to kill their heroes, it's something of a refreshing and startling surprise to see so many characters on both sides of the morality scale kick the bucket.
Take a sip of your drink whenever a named character dies. The bigger the death, the bigger the sip.
Image: HBO
Praising the Deities
After playing countless fantasy video games, watching fantasy movies, and reading fantasy books, I have lost the ability to keep track of the various gods and spirits to whom the characters pray. Game of Thrones has its own group of gods... and then it has some others. There are the old gods to whom the Starks pray. There are the new gods that Stannis follows and fears. There are spirits that the people of the inconsequential Daenerys storyline follow. It's tough to keep track, but if you can, it's worth a drink or two.
Take a sip of your drink whenever a character references one of the various deities of the world, ie The Mother, Lord of Light, etc.
Bonus: Take a sip whenever a character uses a phrase that was derived from their religious references, such as "Seven Hells!"
House Honorifics
Game of Thrones, as the name suggests, is all about different families of varying wealth and power attempting to become more rich and more powerful. Since it involves a lot of schmoozing or attempts at earning praise and recognition for loyalty and prowess as warriors, it's a lot about reputation. Thus, people like to mention their names or make sure that other characters mention their names, to remind everyone of their importance. It should also remind you to take a sip.
Take a sip of your drink whenever a character says "Lord____" or "House____" with the family name. For example, "Lord Stark" or "House Lannister."
If you want to get crazy, drink whenever they say "My Lord" or "Your Grace."
Image: HBO
To the North! To the Wall!
Almost as often as the characters like to mention their names or their gods, they like to mention the North and the Wall. A huge section of George RR Martin's world, the North is a mystical place of ice and darkness. It's where a majority of his fantasy elements reside in his fantasy tale. It's an area of the world that most characters wish to avoid and are thankful for the massive barrier that separates them from it. As a result, the North and the Wall that keeps it at bay are mentioned frequently... frequently enough to quench your thirst.
Take a sip of your drink whenever a character mentions the North or the Wall.
Image: HBO
Nevermore
This is a pretty straightforward one. Since the world of Westeros prefers to use ravens & crows as carrier pigeons, they tend to pop up a lot over the course of the show and make an easy entry for just a basic drinking rule.
Take a sip of your drink whenever a crow or raven shows up.
Image: HBO
Hodor!
This last one is a bit of a bonus. If the show follows the books with some specificity, there are likely moments in which this rule should not be followed for the sake of safety and health. If you choose to follow it, it may feel like you're playing a power hour and have changed the rules from "every minute" to "every second." You may also go several episodes without ever using the rule. It is a veritable game of roulette in which you may get by without a single sip, or you may suffer, depending on the episode. When it rains, it pours.
Take a sip of your drink whenever a character says "Hodor."
While there aren't as many rules as I've conjured up in the past, I'm fairly certain that this collection of lush suggestions is enough to entertain and inebriate. As I progress through the show, I may update and add to the list, should I find any new patterns that are worthy of a drinking rule. Until then, drink safely and responsibly, and enjoy the show.
Found this entertaining and want more reasons to wet your whistle? See the other drinking games I've authored for the Hair of the Dog feature:
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