Stump, the drinking game
History Stump is a drinking game that has no proven start date of inception. Some believe it to have been created around the early 1990's in the northeastern part of the United States. It has been played throughout the country and in many areas of the world. It may be a spinoff of a Hamershlagen, a German drinking game that also involves a hammer, nails, tree stump, and beer.
The official rules of Stump,
Goal
The goal of the game is to be the last man or woman standing. If your nail is the last remaining nail above the plane of the wood, you are the victor!
Supplies:
1 tree stump'"' - Approximately 3' - 4' in height. Circumference can vary dependent on number of people playing. Different types of wood can be used. 1 hammer - Several different types of hammers can be used. A traditional 21 oz curved-claw hammer is common. Nails - 1 nail per person per game. 16d (penny-nail) 3 1/2" is best however all diameter and sizes can be used. It will however impact the game. Larger nails are easier to hit however smaller nails are easier to sink once contact is made. Beer - Beer in hand is a rule.
Initial Setup:
Everyone surrounds the stump equidistant apart from one another. Each player is to hammer a nail in front of where they are standing about 1/2" into the wood. The nail should be driven in far enough so that it does not easily wiggle. This is to prevent a nail from popping out in the event that it is not directly hit. The nail should be placed roughly 1" to 4" from the edge of the stump. This is up to the preference of each player. A separate nail should be placed directly into the center of the stump. This nail is referred to as the Task Nail and is essentially a rule nail. Historically this nail is a larger nail however a similar nail to those being used is acceptable.
Now that everyone is ready to play, the hammer is spun on it's head (with the handle pointing up) on top of the task nail. Which ever direction the hammer points to after it completes spinning gets to start the match. If the hammer lands between 2 nails, the person to the left of the handle will begin. It is this persons responsibility to yell IDENTIFY in order to get everyone to identify which nail is theres as well as prelude the start of the game. Traditionally people will use a foot to identify a nail. The last person to identify your nail must take a sip.
If this is not the first game, the winner from the last round starts off the match.
""The Match""
The hammer circulates clockwise around the stump from player to player. During an individuals turn, the person is to flip the hammer (in the air) and in one fluid rotation attempt to drive someone else's nail below the plane of the wood. If a nail is struck even in the slightest bit, the owner of the nail must drink a sip. After your flip is completed, pass the hammer to your left as play continues. This process will go on until there is one person left standing with their nail above the plane of the wood. At the conclusion of the game, the players circle the stump in order of how they finished (from winner all the way to looser). A waterfall commences beginning with the victor and ending with the first person to have their nail be driven into the stump.
""Additional Rules""
- Beer in hand when it's your turn. If you take your turn with out a beer in hand you will be penalized one drink. - You must flip the hammer in the air and in 1 fluid motion bring it down onto an opponents nail. The hammer may swing either forwards or backwards as long as it is done in one fluid motion. - If the hammer does not adequately rotate in one fluid motion, your opponents may yell Cock! and you are penalized and must take a sip. Cock is to reference you cocking your hammer back after the flip is completed versus bringing it down in one smooth motion. - If the hammer is dropped during your flip, the tosser is penalized and must take a sip. - At times a nail is struck and sparks develop (from the metal on metal contact). This signifies a social and everyone is expected to yell "Sparks" and cheers each other. - If chips of the stump are knocked off the stump during play, everyone is to yell "CHIPS!" and a social is to commence where everyone drinks.