The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

UP AND DOWN THE RIVER

APPROXIMATELY 4 TO 5 PLAYERS, EACH WITH A DRINK (BEER)
SIT AROUND A TABLE. A STANDARD DECK OF CARDS IS SHUFFLED
AND FOUR CARDS ARE DEALT TO EACH PLAYER. THE DEALER THEN FLIPS
THE REST OF THE CARDS ONE BY ONE FACE UP AND LAYS IT ON THE
TABLE. FOR THE FIRST CARD PUT DOWN IF SOMEONE HAS THE SAME
CARD (OBVIOUSLY OF A DIFFERENT SUIT) THEN THAT PERSON WILL
TAKE A DRINK. IF THEY HAVE MORE THAN ONE CARD THEY HAVE TO
TAKE AS MANY DRINKS AS THERE ARE CARDS (EX.- A PAIR OF FOURS
YOU DRINK TWICE). FOR THE SECOND CARD LAID DOWN YOU MUST TAKE
TWO DRINKS FOR EVERY CARD IN YOUR HAND THAT IS THE SAME AS
THE ONE LAID OUT. AND SO ON UP TO THE FOURTH CARD.
AFTER THE 4TH CARD IS PLAYED THE NEXT CARD COUNTS FOR FOUR
DRINKS A CARD BUT IT'S TO BE GIVEN AWAY TO SOMEONE ELSE
PLAYING THE GAME. IF YOU HAVE TWO CARDS YOU CAN SPLIT IT
BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE OR GIVE ALL OF THEM TO ONE PERSON. THE
NEXT CARD COUNTS FOR THREE DRINKS, ETC. UNTIL ONE DRINK.
THEN YOU GO AGAIN UNTIL ALL THE CARDS IN THE DECK ARE USED.

Submitter comment: THIS IS A FAVORITE WAY OF GETTING DRUNK IN A RELATIVELY
SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. USUALLY PLAYED WHILE PEOPLE ARE
GETTING READY TO GO TO A PARTY OR GAME.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Date learned: 10-00-1988