FLIP CUP
Flip Cup Rules (4v4)
Objective:
The objective of the game is to win more rounds of flip cup racing than your opponent. In the Beerlympics, it is a best of 7 series.
Setup:
To play Flip Cup, you will need at least 1 official Pro Beer Sports tables, 8 official cups, and 2 unopened cans of 12oz beer per round.
The official Pro Beer Sports table dimensions are 8’ (length) x 2’ (width) x 2.5’ (height).
The official Pro Beer Sports cups are 22 oz fluted stadium cups.
Pro Beer Sports tables are naturally broken into 4 quadrants by the table folds. Teams of 4 stand along the length of the table with one teammate per quadrant. Each player will be across the table from a player on the other team. Each player has one empty cup on the table in front of them. Before each round of flipping, distribute a 12 oz beer equally amongst all four cups per team.
Who goes first:
Both teams start at the same time. Teams need to agree which end to start the race and then place themselves accordingly.
Gameplay:
Flip Cup is started by both teams first flipper picking up their cup, touching it back down against the table, touching both cups together in a cheering motion, then finally back down against the table. This is commonly referred to as “Down, Up, Down”.
Once the last “down” in “Down, Up, Down” is completed, both starting players may begin drinking. The player quickly drinks the beer in the cup then places the cup upright hanging slightly off the table. The player must flip the now empty cup until it rests upside-down on the table. Once the cup is successfully flipped, the next player drinks and begins the same flipping process.
The round is over once one team’s last player has successfully flipped their cup. Refill the cups and the process starts again, but this time the players who went second last round now start. Every round you shift who starts one person down the line until the game is over.
Winning:
The first team to win the designated number of rounds wins the game.
Special Rules:
The cup is not considered successfully flipped unless 100% of the rim of the cup is in complete contact with the table top unassisted. If the cup is wobbling, it is not considered settled or successfully flipped. If the rim of the cup is 100% in contact with the table top but still sliding on the table, that is considered settled and is successfully flipped. If the cup meets all the previous requirements but is hanging partially off the table, that is considered settled and successfully flipped.
All the beer in the cup must be drank before flipping. Spilling and not finishing your beer can result in a loss for that round.
Players may not use their hands to assist a cup to land or settle. Even if it is “close”, if their hands touch the cup to help it settle, it doesn’t count.
After a cup has been successfully flipped, it cannot be moved by any players.
Intentionally knocking away player’s cups or touching other player’s cups at all is illegal and can result in a loss for that round or game.
Judgement Rulings:
If any player is seen to be spilling excessive amounts of beer while playing Flip Cup, the refs may count that round as a loss.
Sometimes it is impossible to tell which cup landed first. If a ref cannot make a decision, then the players with the disputed cups will do a 1v1 flip off (“Down, Up, Down”) to determine the round winner.
FAQ:
What happens if my cup falls off the table?
If a flipper manages to flip their cup off the table, the round continues. It is the responsibility of the flipper to maintain control of their cup. Fellow team members active in the current game can assist in retrieving the lost cup. They may not interfere with the table or other teams in play or it will result in a loss for that round.
What happens if someone drinks their cup out of turn?
If a player drinks their beer before the previous cup settles, that is a loss for that round.
Can you hold your cup while you wait your turn?
Cups not being flipped must remain untouched until it your turn. If you accidentally pick a cup up early or out of turn, you must set it back down and pick it up before you can drink it and start flipping.
Are distractions allowed?
Respectful distractions are allowed, but not over the cups or table. You cannot touch opposing players or their cups. All players must also always remain on their side of the table during a game. You may not blow or try to generate wind in any way towards the table, cups, or players as a distraction. You may not try to shake the ground or table as a distraction. Personal insults will not be tolerated, be more creative.