The Wolverine Den Blogs
Flip Cup Rules
By Tim Knowlton
Updated August 27, 2008
Section 1 Standard Game Rules
1.1 A standard match consists of anywhere from 4 to 8 players per team. Once you have been placed on a team you cannot switch until after the match is completed. Each team picks a side of the table they want to be on and then each player will fill their cup with a small amount of beer. There is no official amount of beer, but a good rule of thumb is to go up to the first line of your plastic cup if there is any debate.
1.2 Designate one end of the table as the starting end, and the other as the anchor end. The first player at the starting side will be assigned cup #1 and so on down the line. The game starts when both player #1's tap each other's cup and then tap the table (known as "The Wolverine’s Start." From there each player #1 will drink the amount of beer in the cup. Then they will place the cup FACE UP on the edge of the table and proceed to flip the cup until it lands FACE DOWN. Then player #2 can drink their beer and proceed to flip, and so on down the line until all team members have flipped. The first team to flip all of their cups wins that game.
1.3 If 2 cups on opposing sides land at the same time you go to a one round JUNGLE RULES tie breaker (see below).
1.4 The winner of the match is the first team to reach the designated amount of game victories. If there are 4 players on each team, the first team to 4 games wins the match. If there are 5 players on each team, the first team to 5 games wins the match, and so on.
Section 2 Jungle Rules
2.1 Jungle Rules is when everyone at the table participates at the same time. The entire table will follow a Wolverine’s Start, and then everyone will flip. The first team to have every team member flip their cup will win.
Section 3 Cheating
3.1 If two hands are used to flip or guide the cup it is an illegal flip. Only one hand is permitted to make the flip. The only time contact with the cups by 2 hands is allowed is to place the cup on the edge or to re-set the cup if a complete flip is not made.
Section 4 Protests
4.1 If a contestant desires to make a protest, the protest shall be made to the judge or tournament official at the time the problem occurs. If there is no predetermined judge or tournament official, any non-participating Wolverine Den staff member shall become the judge. The tournament judge or staff member shall make the final ruling on all protests.