The origins of the game, not unlike beer pong, are obscure, though anecdotal accounts claim that the game was created on college campuses in the 1950s. Whenever someone draws a king, all players pour a little of their beverage into the cup. The person to draw the final king in the deck must chug down the contents of the cup-i.e., the not-so-regal Kings Cup. Seven is often “Seven is Heaven,” where the last person to get both hands in the air must drink. For instance, if a player draws a two (“Two is You”), that player can point to anyone at the table, who then must take a sip of their drink. Players take turns drawing the cards and performing the action.
A ring of cards is arrayed around an empty cup, called the Kings Cup. While the name and rules vary widely, the set up is the same. Also known as Kings, Circle of Death, and Ring of Fire, Kings Cup is a popular icebreaker or past-time at college or house parties.
