"Never Have I Ever", also known as "I've Never…" or "Ten Fingers", is a drinking game in which players take turns asking other players about things they haven’t done. Other players who have done this thing respond by taking a drink. A version that requires no drinking, usually played by children and underage adolescents, has players counting score on their fingers instead.
Rules
The verbal game starts with all players getting into a circle. The first player starts by saying a simple statement about what they have never done before starting with "Never have I ever". Anyone who at some point in their life has done the action that the first player says, must drink. Then the game continues around the circle, and the next person makes a statement. An additional rule indicates that the player is allowed to change the question after drinking all player’s cups. If there is no one taking a drink, then the one who said the particular "Never have I ever…" statement must take a drink. This rule often forces the players to strategize more and makes for less disposable/pointless suggestions. A further variation holds that whenever only one person is drinking, that person must give a detailed account of why they are drinking. Another variety of this game involves putting up five or ten fingers, putting one down whenever something mentioned has been done. Those who end up putting down all of their fingers must take several successive drinks. "Never have I ever" can be played as a card game or online using mobile devices. The only difference is if no one has done said statement, the online poll for the question is checked. If the majority of online voters have done it, then everyone has to drink; otherwise, the person who asked the question has to drink. Even though "Never have I ever" is primarily played as a drinking game, depending on the questions, it can also act as an icebreaker. Especially helpful at work get-togethers to introduce new employees to the fold. "Never have I ever" can also be played by children using appropriate kid-friendly questions or cards. Conversation games such as this one can help to build friendships, and players often admit to things that they previously had not. As with Truth or Dare?, the game is often sexual in nature. In some variations, the game may be incorporated into other drinking games, such as Kings.
