Flip Cup Rules: How to Play, Setup and Variations

Flip Cup is the team relay that wins every party. Two teams line up across a table. One player at a time drinks a small cup, then flicks it from right-side up to upside down off the table edge, and only then can the next teammate go. First team to flip every cup wins. It’s the best game for a big crowd, period.

What you need

  • A long table (an 8-foot beer pong table is perfect)
  • One plastic cup per player
  • Beer, seltzer, soda or water: a small, equal pour in every cup
  • Two teams with the same number of players; 4 to 6 per side is ideal

How to set up

  1. Split into two equal teams and line up on opposite sides of the table, facing each other.
  2. Each player puts a cup on the table in front of them, mouth up, with the rim hanging just over the edge.
  3. Pour the same small amount (an inch or two) into every cup so neither team gets a head start.
  4. Pick the order. The first player on each team is at one end, the “anchor” at the other.

How to play Flip Cup

  1. Cheers. The two first players tap cups, then tap them on the table.
  2. Drink. Each finishes their cup.
  3. Flip. Put the cup back mouth-up with the rim over the edge of the table, and flick the rim up with one finger so the cup turns over and lands upside down. Missed? Set it back up and try again.
  4. Tag the next player. Only once your cup is upside down can the next person on your team start drinking.
  5. Win. The first team whose anchor lands the last flip wins the round.

Rules that settle arguments

Flip cup gets heated. These settle it:

  • No early starts: drink before your teammate’s cup is down and you wait and start over. No jumping the gun.
  • Finish the cup: a flip only counts if the cup was empty.
  • Flip from the edge: one hand, cup on the table, rim over the edge. Picking it up and setting it down upside down is cheating, and everybody saw you.
  • Knock it off the table? Pick it up and flip again from the start.

Flip Cup variations

  • Survivor (elimination): after each round, the losing team votes off a player and the game repeats until one player is left.
  • Relay to 21: teams keep cycling through their players until someone reaches 21 flips.
  • Flip Cup into beer pong: the losing team of a flip cup round has to set up first at the pong table, or flip cup decides who shoots first.

How to flip on the first try (and stop being the anchor who loses it)

  • Leave about an inch of rim over the edge. Too little and you can’t get a finger under it; too much and it falls on the floor.
  • Flick, don’t swat. One finger, gentle, aiming for one rotation. Most misses come from hitting it way too hard.
  • A slightly wet table helps the cup land and stick. Spilled beer finally has a purpose.

FAQ

How many people do you need for flip cup?

At least 4 (two per team), but it’s best with 8 to 12 players.

Can you play flip cup without alcohol?

Yes. Water or soda works the same, and it’s a great warm-up before a beer pong tournament.

What if the teams are uneven?

One player on the smaller team goes twice, usually the first player, who drinks and flips again as the anchor.

Hosting game day? Flip cup is the perfect halftime game. See our Super Bowl drinking games plan.

En español: Reglas del flip cup en español.

More party games: Circle of Death (Kings Cup), Power Hour, Rage Cage, Slap Cup, Chandeliers, Quarters, Boat Race, Beer Die, Beer Ball, Dizzy Bat. See them all on our party games page, or play the classic with the full rules of beer pong.