Take a sip when Trump says “China” or when Biden says “here’s the deal.” Take a shot when either mention Russia. Finish your drink when you forget what question the candidates were even asked. The instructions are simple, despite the political climate being more muddled than ever. Sit back, watch the politics unfold, and drink.
Political drinking games have been a popular pastime among Americans for years, but since 2016, the visibility of these games has increased alongside the rise of social media. As the 2020 election cycle closes and we find ourselves close to election night results, social media has flooded with memes and interactive activities.
Just this past month, the Presidential and Vice Presidential debates have led to many different drinking games appearing on social media platforms and publications, including delish.com, washingtonian.com, and debatedrinking.com, a website dedicated to helping viewers get tipsy during political events.
“We like to think that people can play our games with friends or family members of different parties and watch the debates in the same room,” said Dan Mueller, owner of debatedrinking.com.
Some adhere to the rules of the game, while some play fast and loose with how they participate. But at its core, the drinking games are about more than just getting wasted. They’re making it entertaining for citizens to listen and get involved with democracy.
Engagement is the goal. Listening to the politicians and their stances, but also discussing with those playing.
“We also like to think that drinking games like ours provide a reason for people who might not otherwise be interested in watching a political debate to actually tune in,” Mueller said.
For some, that is the case. Sarah LeBlanc, 25, said in an online interview that while she isn’t the most politically active, the activity of a drinking game during the Presidential debate was what got her to tune in.
As both debatedrinking.com and the participants interviewed noted, the more obvious appeal behind these games is the appeal of alcohol consumption, which, while entertaining, can have potentially negative effects on participants and their engagement. Of course, the consumption of alcohol is risky behavior that can impair judgment and cause health issues if consumed in unhealthy quantities.
Additionally, according to one study, the inclusion of non-alcohol centered entertainment games in political debate viewing can distract participants.
“Playing bingo while watching a debate may be distracting, reducing the democratic benefits that participants may receive in other contexts. Instead of paying attention to the substantive comments made by the candidates, bingo players may be listening for specific words to complete their bingo cards.”
Joshua Scacco, a political communications expert at USF, cited this study as a warning against participating in these games. While the entertainment might act as an interactive gateway to engage with the political process, he said, there are other and better ways for adults to stay involved. Satirical television and writings, he suggests, might be a better option.
But, distracted or not, there is a correlation between politics and alcohol consumption beyond just the games. On election night 2016, alcohol delivery service Drizly.com rose by 86%.
“Realistically, we know that people see the drinking games as an excuse to get drunk on a Tuesday, but we also know that it can give viewers a reason to pay closer attention to the words that come out of the candidates,” Mueller said.
