DC Regional Qualifier for the World Series of Flip Cup

How to Master Flip Cup

• An Academic Perspective
• How to Achieve Flip Cup Mastery
• Past Tournament Winners
• Videos

An Academic Perspective on Flip Cup

Flip Cup is a team-based drinking game similar to the relay drinking competition known as “Boat Race.” Although the origin of this game is unknown, records suggest that college students at Hoboken, New Jersey, have been flipping cups since 1987. In Flip Cup, two opposing teams of six to eight players stand on opposite sides of a table facing one another. In front of each player is a plastic cup filled with approximately 2 ounces of light beer. The first player ("Starter") for each team traditionally salutes each other at the start of each round by bringing their cups together and placing the cup back on the table. The Starters then drink her frothy beverage as quickly as possible. Once consumed, the player places her cup “mouth up” at the edge of the table. That same player will manually attempt to flip her cup upside-down, “mouth down”, on the table. The two most common flipping techniques are the Two-Finger Lift or the G-Spot Flick. Players who consistently succeed in flipping her cup on the first attempt are known as "One Timers." However, if the player fails to invert her cup, that same player must continue to reset and flip her cup until it rests mouth down securely on the table. Only after the preceding player is successful may her subsequent teammate proceed by attempting the same maneuver. This sequence of events will continue until one team succeeds by drinking and flipping all of its cups in sequential order. Afterwards, there will be much cheering, jeering, and gloating throughout the tavern.

How to Achieve Flip Cup Mastery by "Flip Masta J"

1. Finish in One Gulp. The most common error for any flip-cupper is drinking too much. In a single tournament, you may end up chugging 2 or 3 liters of lukewarm, piss-like beer. And that's just the regulation requirement. Unless you're the anchor (where you may have to drink an entire cup), be sure to limit whatever amount is in your cup. It should take you no more two seconds to finish two ounces of beer. If that's not possible, I recommend the Chipmunk technique where you keep the beer in your mouth and swallow as you flip. Remember ... the amount of time spent drinking is inversely proportional to the amount of time spent flipping.
2. What's Your Style? Everyone flips a little differently so go with the technique you find most comfortable. The key is to balance surface area and the amount of torque. Maybe you prefer using one, two, or three fingers but two fingers generally provide the ideal amount of leverage. Again, the two most common techniques are the Two-Finger Lift (a vertical thrust at a 10 degree angle towards your opponent) or the G-Spot Flick (curving your fingers back towards you in a snapping motion).
3. Go 180. It's not about how many times you can flip a cup in mid-air. Save that for the X Games. Instead, try to flip the cup 180 degrees just once. Not only does this save precious time (less hang time) but it also reduces the probability that the cup will land at an awkward angle. There's a 10 degree range of error.
4. You Have Two Hands. Chances are that you're not a "One Timer" (someone who consistently flips the cup successfully on the first attempt). It's also very likely that you have two hands - none of which are tied behind your back. So what not use them? Although the rules prohibit you from creating a back wall (cups lined up to create a barrier) you are allowed to use your other hand to reset the cup. Don't let the cup bounce around. Shave precious seconds by keeping your other hand ready.

Past Tournament Winners

Fall 2009 Champions - Dunder Flippin

Summer 2009 Champions - Orange Iguanas

Summer 2008 Champions - Nuts of Justice

Videos and Photo Montages