酒牌遊戲，大部分為文人、士大夫所創，至明代中、晚期，極為盛行。本文旨在介紹這類遊戲，包括分類、內容和規則。文人宴會中所用的酒牌，其圖案、文字，是以歷代才子、名妓、美女、歷史人物，以及跟飲酒和金錢有關的人事典故為主；或是以詩歌、戲曲、小說的人物為題材。若欲充分欣賞和進行這類遊戲，必須相當熟悉文人筆下所用的典故。通過這些酒牌上的文字內容和遊戲背景的描述，我們可以了解到文人、士大夫的社交生活，並進而洞悉其某一面向的價值觀。再者，一般人只要能看懂酒牌上的指令，就能進行酒令遊戲，所以這類酒牌也流行於其他階層，我們可藉以得見民眾對文人雅文化的嚮往。從明代酒牌的流傳，展現明代雅、俗各階層共同沉浸於優雅文化的實際狀況，所謂的「雅俗共賞」，在明代的酒牌文化中體現無遺。

Most of the drinking games using cards were invented by literati and scholar-officials, and these were quite popular in the mid and late Ming periods. This article introduces these games, with classification, description and introduction to method of play. The cards used in these games in banquet gatherings of the literati mainly depict talented scholars, famous courtesans, beauties, historical figures, including those associated with drinking or money, and characters from poetry, drama and fiction. To fully appreciate these cards and to play, one had to be quite familiar with the textual allusions used by the literati. From the texts printed on individual cards, and those describing the background of these games, we get a glimpse of the social lives and values of literati and scholar-officials. Again, these card games were open to all who could read at least the instructions, and with the transmission of these games to those of a different class, we get an understanding of their genteel aspirations. From the culture and transmission of drinking cards in the Ming period, we see the cultured and the common joining in the appreciation of the refined.