Flip cup

Flip cup

Drinking Game
Players	4+
Setup time	2-3 minutes
Playing time	As long or short as teams choose
Random chance	Easy
Skill(s) required	Cup-flipping, Beer-chugging

Flip cup (Taps, Flippy Cup or Tippy Cup) is a team-based drinking game.^[1] Two teams of an equal number of players stand on opposite sides of a table, facing one another. The players directly facing are opponents. In front of each teammate is a disposable plastic cup filled with a set amount of beer. Generally, the first line inside a disposable cup is used as a marker.

At the start, it is customary for the initiating players to make a toast, after which the first member of each team drinks the entirety of their beverage. When finished, the cup is placed open side up at the edge of the table, and the player who drank it attempts to flip the cup, by flicking or lifting the bottom until it flips and lands face down on the table, sitting on its mouth. The player may not use two hands, or blow on the cup to "guide" the cup to flip over. If player is unsuccessful on the first try, the cup is reset and re-flipped. Only after the first teammate is done flipping successfully can the next person proceed. Additionally, subsequent players may not touch or manipulate their cup until the previous player has successfully flipped their cup. Whichever team finishes drinking and flipping all its cups first wins.

Several flip-cup tournaments have been held in the United States.^[2][3][4][5]

Flip Cup

Dangers and Deaths

Drinking games are commonly used to encourage increased consumption of alcohol which can lead to potentially fatal alcohol poisoning. Playing Flip cup has been linked to at least one death: A 19-year-old Acadia University student died on September 8th, 2011 after consuming a large amount of alcohol earlier in the week during a frosh week drinking game (Flip cup).^[6][7]

References

1. ^ Zembik, Josh (2008-10-14). "Flipping Fun". SportsIllustrated/CNN. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/sioncampus/10/14/flip-cup-tournament/index.html. Retrieved 2008-11-07. 
2. ^ "Another favorite pastime". http://www.bthesite.com/archives/2008/05/another-favorite-pastime/. 
3. ^ Rubin, Mallory (July 16, 2008). "Calling All Flippers". SportsIllustrated/CNN. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/sioncampus/07/16/heisman-candidates-and-their-majors/. Retrieved 2008-07-30. 
4. ^ "Thirsty for Glory". DRAFT Magazine. http://news.draftmag.com/2008/09/04/thirsty-for-glory/. Retrieved 2008-11-07. ^{[dead link]}
5. ^ "Flipped Off: The Super Bowl of Flip Cup". Urban Daddy. August 21, 2009. http://www.urbandaddy.com/lv/entertainment/6516/The_World_s_Largest_Flip_Cup_Tournament_The_Super_Bowl_of_Flip_Cup_Las_Vegas_LV_The_Strip_Event. 
6. ^ "Acadia student dies after heavy drinking". CBC. 8 September 2011. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2011/09/08/ns-acadia-drinking-death.html?cmp=rss. Retrieved 8 September 2011. 
7. ^ "Acadia student in critical condition after drinking game". CBC. 6 September 2011. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2011/09/06/ns-acadia-drinking-hospital.html. Retrieved 8 September 2011.