Slap Slap Clap

A rhythm game of memory, misdirection, and complete hand-gesture-induced collapse.

What Is This Madness?

Slap Slap Clap is the party game where you and your friends create bizarre hand gestures, lock into a rhythm, and try not to completely embarrass yourselves in front of people you were once proud to call your mates.

You’ll forget moves.
You’ll mix up faces.
You’ll 100% end up clapping like a confused seal while someone screams “That was MY gesture!”

It’s fast. It’s brutal. It’s hilarious. And the longer it goes on, the harder your brain short-circuits.

Players

• Minimum: 4 people
• Maximum: Infinity, or until your circle becomes a human ouroboros
• Works in person or over Zoom if you hate yourself

Step 1: Create Your Gesture

Everyone sits in a circle and invents their own unique hand gesture.
It can be anything, as long as it’s quick and repeatable. Some favourites include:

• Devil horns 🤘
• Arms in the air like you just scored the World Cup winner 🥳
• Glasses made from finger and thumb like you’re Harry Potter 🧙
• A double middle finger salute (if you’re playing the Rated R edition)
• Anything that makes you look cool or like a total twat. Both are valid.

Go around the circle and show everyone your gesture once, everyone copies. That’s it.
No rehearsals. No repeats. You’ll forget at least two. That’s part of the fun.

Step 2: Get the Rhythm

Now, the table/circle starts the ritual chant of the gods:

Slap Slap Clap
(Slap both thighs twice (or the table if you’re sat at one.) Then clap once.)

Think “We Will Rock You” by Queen, but instead of becoming a champion, you become a gesture-guessing gremlin.

Keep the rhythm steady. Slap Slap Clap. Slap Slap Clap. Get that pulse flowing through the circle like a caffeinated drum circle.

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Step 3: Choose a Sacrifice (Starting Player)

Pick someone to go first. Usually the person who last touched their toes voluntarily.
Let’s say it’s Jess.

On her turn she follows the slap slap clap rhythm until she is ready, then she does the following:

1. Slap Slap
2. Her own gesture instead of the clap
3. Slap Slap again
4. Someone else’s gesture, looking directly at them like a psychic assassin

This “gesture throw” now targets the player whose move was just mimed.

Step 4: They Must Respond (Or Die Trying)

The targeted player now repeats immediately:

1. Slap Slap
2. Their own gesture
3. Slap Slap
4. Someone else’s gesture

And on it goes. Round and round.
Each person slapping, flashing symbols, and trying to remember who the hell made the weird crab hands move.

Big Brain Tactics (Misdirection 101)

Wanna mess with minds?

• Look at one player… but do another player’s gesture.
• Deadly. Devious. Deliciously confusing.

It works because humans are simple and they panic under pressure. Use it. Abuse it.
Let chaos reign.

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Screw Up? You Drink.

If someone:

• Does the wrong gesture
• Freezes
• Forgets their own move
• Misses the rhythm
• Does a gesture instead of a clap when it isn’t their turn

They’re OUT. Well, not out of the game — they just have to drink.

Reset the rhythm. Reboot the human processors. Start again from the person who threw the last successful gesture.

The rhythm will get faster. The group will get louder.
Mistakes multiply like rats at a buffet.

Drinking Version Tips

• Add Multipliers: If you screw up twice in a row, double drink.
• No Gesture Repeats: If two people pick the same move, you both drink and create new ones.
• No Looking at Yourself: Trying to psych yourself out is illegal but hilarious.

Endgame? There Isn’t One.

Slap Slap Clap doesn’t end. It just eventually implodes.
People mess up. Drinks are poured. Laughter becomes screaming.

You’ll know it’s over when:

• Everyone is out of breath
• Two players are locked in a loop of false gestures
• Someone flips a table shouting, “I was doing MY gesture!”

Final Thoughts

Slap Slap Clap is memory warfare disguised as a party game.
It’s what happens when musical chairs meets a cult ritual.
It’s rhythm. It’s sabotage. It’s drunk Simon Says on meth.

So sit down. Make a gesture. Lock in. And don’t you DARE hesitate on that slap slap.

Now go clap yourself into oblivion.