Official Flip Cup Rules

Last Updated on April 11, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

If you’re hosting a party and want to get the crowd hyped up, Flip Cup is the ultimate drinking game to get everyone involved. With its fast-paced relay style and competitive spirit, Flip Cup has earned its place as one of the most popular drinking games around. It’s a simple game to set up, requires minimal materials, and brings out everyone’s competitive edge in a fun way. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to play Flip Cup, including the setup, in-depth rules, and tips to help you master the game.

Make sure to check out my favorite Flip Cup variation (the beer pong variation) at the end of this page!

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How to Play Flip Cup (Drinking Game)

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Objective of Flip Cup:

The goal of Flip Cup is to finish your drink and flip your cup upside down by tapping the bottom of it, all before your opponents do. It’s a relay race-style game where teams compete to see who can flip all of their cups first.

Materials Needed:

To play Flip Cup, you’ll need:

• Solo cups (1 per player)
• Your beverage of choice (beer is commonly used)
• A long table (preferably a beer pong table)
• Two teams (each with an equal number of players)

Setting Up:

1. Prepare the Table: Place your table in a space where everyone has enough room to stand around it comfortably.
2. Fill the Cups: Each player gets a Solo cup filled with their drink of choice (beer is often used for extended rounds). The cups should be full enough to take a drink but not overflowing. For an added twist, you can include a shot of liquor to the game.
3. Divide into Teams: Split the players into two equal teams. The teams should stand on opposite sides of the table, with each player positioned in front of a cup filled with their drink.
4. Decide Who Goes First: Choose a player to go first on each team. You can use a simple method, like the youngest person or a random draw, to determine who starts.

Gameplay:

1. Cheers and Countdown: Before you start, it’s customary to “cheers” your opponent. Once everyone is ready, count down from three to begin.
2. Start the Relay Race: The first player on each team must finish their drink and then set their empty cup face-up on the edge of the table. The goal is to tap the bottom of the cup to make it flip 180 degrees, landing it upside down in one smooth motion. The player must use only one hand to flip the cup.
3. Flipping Technique: If the cup does not land properly (i.e., it’s not upside down), the player must reset the cup and try again. There’s no limit to the number of attempts, but it’s important to get the technique right. A soft tap is often better than a hard one, as it gives the player more control over the cup’s rotation.
4. Passing the Turn: Once the first player successfully flips their cup, they pass it to the next player on their team. The next player repeats the process—drinking their beverage, setting the cup, and flipping it.
5. Relay Continuation: The game continues with each player taking their turn to drink and flip the cup. Only after successfully flipping their cup can the next person on the team begin.
6. Winning the Game: The game ends when one team successfully flips all of their cups first. If any player drinks or flips their cup out of turn, their team is automatically disqualified, and the other team wins.

Etiquette:

• No Cheating: Only one hand can be used to flip the cup. No steadying or touching the cup with your other hand.
• Clean and Dry Table: If the table is wet, it can make the cups more difficult to flip. Wipe it down before starting to ensure a smoother game.
• Relay Race Pace: Remember, it’s a race. Your team must keep going, even if the other team is flipping slowly. Delaying your turn could result in a loss.

Winning Strategy Tips:

• Practice Flipping: The more you practice, the better you will become at flipping the cup. Test your tapping technique to master the flip.
• Timing is Key: While you can take your time to set up and flip, try not to waste too much time. The other team won’t be waiting around for you to flip your cup.
• Use Sensitivity: Tap the bottom of the cup lightly to make it rotate just once. The more flips the cup makes, the harder it is to control.

Optional Variations:

• Survivor Flip Cup: In this variation, if a team loses a round, they vote off one player who has to drink and flip an extra cup. The team still drinks the same amount as the others but with the added challenge of losing a player.
• Beer Pong Variation: This variation combines flip cup with the classic game of beer pong. Teams of 4 arrange beer pong normally, but add 3 cups facing each other alongside the table. One player shoots, while the others wait in front of the solo cups. If you teammate makes the shot, both teams start flip cup on the side the shot was made. Whichever team wins determines if that shot counts (i.e. if my team makes the shot, but loses flip cup, the other team leaves the beer pong cup where it is. If I make the shot and my team wins flip cup, they drink and remove the cup I made). Once both teams have shot everyone rotates and the person who just shot goes to the end of their teams flip cup line. Each team has 6 beer pong cups and 3 flip cups. Great for larger groups!

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With these rules and strategies in mind, you’re ready to play Flip Cup at your next party! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner, this game will definitely get the fun rolling.