Slap the Bag Drinking Game: Rules, Wine Bag Setup & How to Play

Slap the Bag is a boxed-wine drinking game where someone drinks from the wine bladder, slaps the bag, and passes it to the next person.

That is basically the whole game. The culture around it is louder than the rules: pull the bag out of the box, hold it up like a weird party trophy, drink, slap, pass.

There is no official rulebook. Some groups treat Slap the Bag as a quick party ritual. Others turn it into a judged circle game where weak chugs or sad little taps get booed into a retry. We prefer the version that is funny and quick, not the one where someone tries to prove something to a bag of warm wine.

SLAP THE BAG RULES — QUICK VERSION

Remove the wine bag from a box of wine.
Players stand or sit in a circle.
One player drinks from the spout or from a small pour.
After drinking, they slap the bag.
They pass the bag to the next player.
If the group is judging turns, a bad slap or tiny sip can mean a retry.
Keep pours reasonable and stop before the bag becomes everybody’s worst idea.

To play Slap the Bag: take the bag out of boxed wine, pass it around the group, and have each player drink before slapping the bag and passing it on. The game usually ends when the bag is empty, the group moves on, or everyone realizes boxed wine has been making too many decisions.

What You Need to Play Slap the Bag

One box of wine
A group of players
Cups, if you want a cleaner version
Napkins or towels

Red wine stains. White wine still gets sticky. Either way, do not play this over a white couch unless you enjoy explaining yourself.

Best Number of Players for Slap the Bag

Players	How It Plays
2 to 3	Not ideal. It becomes less of a game and more of a questionable snack.
4 to 10	Best range. Fast, social, and not too chaotic.
10+	Works as a party ritual, but use cups if people do not want to share the spout.

How to Set Up Slap the Bag

1. Remove the Bag

Open the cardboard box and pull out the plastic wine bag. Keep the spout accessible.

2. Decide Direct Spout or Cup Version

The classic version uses the spout. The cleaner version pours into a cup, then the player slaps the bag after drinking. Same dumb energy, fewer shared-mouth concerns.

3. Choose the Turn Standard

Decide if the group is just passing the bag or judging each turn. If you use judgment rules, define what counts as a real slap and a real drink before someone starts acting like a wine referee.

How to Play the Slap the Bag Drinking Game

DRINK → SLAP → PASS → REPEAT

1. Drink from the Bag

The active player takes a reasonable drink. This should be a sip or short pull, not a medieval endurance test.

2. Slap the Bag

After drinking, the player slaps the wine bag. A loud clean slap is the entire brand. Do not punch it unless you want wine on the ceiling.

3. Pass It On

Pass the bag clockwise or to whoever the group chooses next. Keep the pace moving.

Slap the Bag House Rules & Variations

Classic Circle Version

Everyone drinks, slaps, and passes. No scoring. No winner. Just a shared lapse in judgment.

Boo-and-Retry Version

If the group decides your drink or slap was weak, you have to go again. Use this carefully. It is funny once. It gets stupid fast.

Cup Version

Pour a small amount into a cup, drink it, slap the bag, and pass. This is the best version for bigger groups.

Our Recommended Slap the Bag Rules

COLLEGEWARES SLAP THE BAG RULES

Use the cup version for groups bigger than six.
Keep drinks to small pours or short pulls.
One slap only. No punching the bag.
No forced retries after someone clearly wants to stop.
End when the bag is empty or the joke has peaked.

Is Slap the Bag Good for Parties?

Slap the Bag is better as a quick party bit than a full drinking game. It works at pregames, tailgates, and crowded house parties because it takes almost no explanation.

If you want a more structured group game, use the party drinking games hub or something with clearer turns like King’s Cup.