To keep games running smoothly and uniformly, the House of the Rising Sun has, over the years, developed a number of drinking game rules that apply to all games--sort of a Robert's Rules of Order, if you like. We commonly refer to these as "House Rules" and are used at most House-group gatherings. As are our drinking game rules influenced by regionalisms, so too have the House rules.

The term drink is defined to mean one movement from the surface from the table to the lips, and the consuming of a generally accepted amount of beverage. Repeated drinks must repeat the cycle, stopping to touch the drink to the table. Anything else is considered one drink.

We are all adults, so no one has to raise their hands to ask for permission to use the bathroom. Since the departure will tend to disrupt gaming flow, there is a three-drink penalty for such action. The player must announce "Captain Leaky", take three visible drinks, and leave the table. If it does not change game play drastically, the player's turn is skipped. If the player is forced to drink in absentia, the drinks will accumulate until such time as the player returns.

For those of the dark-lung crowd, one may propose a "Captain Smokey" in between rounds, or at their turn if the game does not lend itself to built-in pauses. Captain Smokey must be agreed upon by the majority of players at the table. Players are free to move about, including Captain Leaky for a limited period of time.

We live in the greatest free nation in the world. As such, any player may make a "point of order". Since pointing is rude, one lifts one elbow in the air and declares "point of order". Other players should likewise elbow the motion. The player then makes his or her point, which is voted upon, Roman-style, by the group. The point must have a majority of players approval to carry, and in cases of a tie, the proposer loses. This can be used to settle game rules, mete out penalties to unruly players, or settle any course of action. Singling a player out after he or she has carried a motion is bad form.

Rookie moves are usually defined as either stupid mistakes made by experience players, or gaming errors, such as rolling the dice off the table, dropping cards, etc. Such behavior indicates carelessness, and is penalized by a single drink.

Anyone caught inappropriately exposing themselves shall be made to drink the vilest brew in the house and separated from the rest of the group until the brew is finished. Other penalties, as necessary, may be assessed. Appropriate exposure, as deemed by the majority of players, is acceptable.

The largest single-drink in normal game play is half a beer. The exception to this rule is games such as chandeliers et. al., where excessive volume is a goodly part of the game.

Leaving the game is normally allowable only during breaks in the action. Anyone wishing to bow out must suffer a three drink "bon voyage" penalty. Leaving the games does not excuse one from any penalties already accrued.

While good sportsmanship is encouraged, cheating is often allowable (one can still be a good sport while ditching a card or two). Anyone caught cheating is at the mercy of the table however and punishments should not be light. Anyone caught "duffing", or not properly consuming punishment drinks, is also at the mercy of the table. Punishments in this case should be severe.

Booting, spewing, or reverse drinking is considered grounds for ejection from the game if done at the table and may be grounds for ejection if the player leaves the game to do so.

Back to the house, on to some games, or check out some optional rules.

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