bakerstreet | one, two, three, jfk.

TRUE AMERICAN

True American is the drinking game equivalent of Calvinball; ie, a game with very little in the way of structured rules. Only three rules are consistent throughout:
A. It's American history themed.
2. The floor is lava.
C. There's lots of drinking.
Of course, that doesn't mean you can't take inspiration either from the TV show it's from, or rulebooks people have tried to put together to play it themselves. But ultimately, players are free to make up rules as they go along (so long as they can make it involve American history and / or drinking), for whatever ridiculous reasons they see fit.

Having trouble? Don't overthink it. The game is made up as it goes along, so really, do whatever you want and have fun!

However, here are a few optional prompts if you're unsure how to jump in! And feel free to mix and match as to your heart's content.

1. BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN: You and a 'randomly' chosen player have been sent behind the iron curtain until a new deal can be reached... aka, you and someone else are sent into a closet and have to kiss with tongue until you're allowed out (and send photographic evidence to prove it).
2. CLINTON RULES: Every time you break a rule, you have to remove a piece of clothing. However, since the rules are made up as you go along, someone (or you?) could take advantage of this...
III. JFK! FDR!: You're teamed up with someone you don't (or do?) particularly like. You have to drink with them and help them complete counts and answer calls (or whatever you or other players decide it means for the purpose of the game).
Δ. ELLIS ISLAND: Join the game with randomly chosen beers at Ellis Island. The quality of the beer decides where you get to go in the game (though higher quality beer will get you drunker faster...), but you have to only answer to the name you're given at Ellis Island or you take a penalty (whatever that means). Or you could wildcard it and pretend to have the plague, which means you get to drunkenly chase everyone around the playing floor.
5. ELI WHITNEY: Your name is Eli Whitney, and you invented the Cotton Gin. So it's time to drink a lot of gin. Like, a lot of gin.
F. AMERICAN DREAM: Passing out doesn't mean you lose! It just means someone has to wake you up and you have to describe your American dream. If it's not a good dream, you'll get a penalty (whatever you want that to mean).
6. I AM NOT A CROOK: Everything you hear in True American is a lie (knock on wood), so you were caught in a lie or a cheat! You have to take a Nixon penalty and resign from your office (and your pants) or get dirt on your opponents. What's a secret they'd prefer kept?
VII. BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG: You are the recycling bin, and everyone has to throw their empty beer cans at you. And there are a lot of beer cans. But if you can make it to the end without falling onto the floor (which is lava), you get to claim a prize. Whatever you want. Winning the game, or kissing someone, or taking your opponent down for good... Whatever.
Θ. FREEDOM OR DEATH: This round's challenge involves being locked in a closet. You've already had a few drinks-- if you can't get out of the closet in five, you have to take a penalty. The penalty is... whatever you want it to be. Kiss someone you hate? Get back at an enemy? Get more beer cans thrown at your head?
9. HOWARD DEAN SCREAM: Can you scream like Howard Dean? Can you scream like Howard Dean five times in a row after lots of alcohol without puking? You don't wanna be sent to Sing Sing, right?
X. HAMILTON RULES: Everything is the same but you have to rap. Failing to rap will get you sent to the Sweatbox... where you can only speak in Disney songs.

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[Somebody teach her this one, she loves party games.]

[Things get interesting when this historical figure gets tipsy...]

[ Warm-up game: make him take off his tie. ]

[ Extremely open to him being locked in a closet. ]

Joan forgot why she agreed to this about three beers ago; partying with rich people means the booze is a lot stronger than she's used to. And then there was a lot of talking and a lot of moving and shoving and chanting and Joan isn't sure, exactly, why she's in a closet with the bland looking guy, but that's life.

The answer becomes clear when she hears people banging on the closet door and chanting kiss! Kiss! Kiss! and Joan rolls her eyes and looks at Beige Eggshells McRolodex.

"You wanna get this over with or what?" Romance itself.