Flip Cup Rules:
Flip Cup is an awesome tailgate party game for a large group since you need at least 6 people to play (yes, it’s possible to play 1-on-1 but you will be hammered after a few games). So, that’s at least 3 on each team who line up on each side of a table. One end of the table is the start and the other end is the anchor. The anchors begin the game by either a toast (a chant) or via the “gentleman’s start” which is both players tap each other’s cup and then the table. Each player has a cup filled with their beverage of choice (usually beer) and the game works kind of like a relay except, rather than pass a baton, players chug the drink, place it on the edge of the table, face-up, and flick the cup from underneath so it lands mouth down and then it is the next player’s turn.
You can only use 1 hand to flip the cup (the other hand can only be used to prevent the cup from falling off the table). The cup must be touching the table when you flip it: mid-air flips are not allowed. It is also illegal to interfere with the opposing teams cups.
The aim is to be the first team to finish. For the next round, player #2 now becomes the new ‘anchor’. You can have up to 2 reserves/alternates and, officially, a ‘match’ is defined as best out of 7.
aka Taps, Flippy Cup, Tippy Cup, Boat Race, Beer On A Table Race
Equipment Required: Table, Plastic Cups, Beer
The Best Flip Cup Tables & Accessories
You need a long table to play flip cup. The more people playing, the longer the table should be. The best tables to play flip cup on are the beer pong tables–these are usually high quality, light, portable and are built to cope with lots of beer spills. Also, once you’re done with Flip Cup, you can start a few rounds of beer pong (which is always funnier when you’re drunk). You don’t really need a dedicated Flip Cup table since any long table space will do. But if you are out at the tailgate then you need a good portable table that’s sturdy and balanced.
Go Pong 8-Foot Portable Folding Beer Pong / Flip Cup Table The perfect 8-Foot table for Beer Pong is also the perfect table for Flip Cup. Built to be very sturdy, with a strong aluminum frame and a water-proof (read: beer proof) melamine MDF surface it is also ultra portable, folding up to the size of a briefcase for easy transportation and storage.
- Pros: Solid construction. Portable. Easy to Clean. Also Beer Pong table.
- Cons: Regulation Beer Pong means it’s a low table.
- RRP = $89.99
Bakers & Chefs Red Plastic Cups – 18 oz./240 ct. These are the cups everyone uses for playing flip cup. They are heavy duty enough to be smacked around and don’t squish when you grab them. But they are cheap enough to be disposable. Remember not to fill them to the top when playing flip cup! Just a quarter or a third is plenty if you want to last more than a few rounds.
- RRP: $14.35 (for 240 cups)
If you want to get really serious about your Flip Cup game (while not being at all serious) then grab a couple of these cool It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia shirts, dedicated to the game. You too can be the Flip Cup Legend of Flipadelphia.
Or this series from Cafe Press which have a heap of shirts, sweaters, hoodies and other tailgate themed gear.
Flip Cup Tips:
- Don’t fill the cups with too much beer. No more than a third of the way up. Otherwise you won’t last many games.
- When flipping the cup, just a light tap is enough to flip the cup properly. Too much force will make it fly into the air.
- Control the flip – that’s the key. You don’t want to be chasing the cup around during play.
- Learn how to intimidate your opponent. Or, make them laugh. It’s a lot harder to chug when you’re laughing.
- Come up with a great Flip Cup chant. It makes a big difference to the fun of the game when you kick it off with a funny chant that everyone knows.
- Flip cup gets messy since cups of alcohol end up flying through the air and there can be a lot of spill. Get a good waterproof table and don’t play on carpet!