Setup
Players
- 2 or 4 players (divided into two teams of 2)
Materials
- Plastic cups (2 different colors, enough for 9 per team)
- A flat surface like a table that is high enough for players to flip cups on
- Marker (to draw the tic-tac-toe board on the surface)
- Optional: Beer or other beverage. You can also play this with non-alcoholic drinks or with no alcohol at all
Scoring and Rules
- There is no scoring per se in Flip Cup Tic-Tac-Toe. The first team to get three cups in a row wins.
- The rows can be done.
Additional Setup Notes
- Ensure the surface you’re playing on is sturdy and has enough space to draw a tic-tac-toe board and comfortably flip cups
- Use a washable marker if you are marking the board on a permanent surface
- You can also use painter’s tape to draw the tic-tac-toe grid with 3×3 squares
Objective
The objective of Flip Cup Tic-Tac-Toe is to be the first team to get three of your colored cups in a row on the tic-tac-toe board. If you are playing a drinking game, you can optionally have the losing team take a swig each round.
Gameplay
Time to play! Once your tic-tac-toe grid is set on the table, you will begin by flipping a coin or playing rock-paper-scissors to determine who goes first (individual or team).
First Turn:
- Each team sets up their cups in a row at the edge of the table, within arm’s reach.
- On “Go!”, the first player on each team picks up one of their cups.
Playing a Turn:
- The player attempts to flip their cup upside down using only one finger.
- If the cup lands upright on the table, the player can place it anywhere on the open tic-tac-toe board.
- Play continues to the next player on the team, following the same steps.
Winning the Round:
The game continues until one team gets three of their cups in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) on the tic-tac-toe board.
Endgame
The game ends when one team achieves three cups in a row, winning the round.
Example / Demonstration
Imagine a game between Linda and John (Team Red) and Marie and Rob (Team Blue).
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- Sarah goes first for Team Red. She successfully flips her cup and places it in the center square of the tic-tac-toe board.
- Mike (Team Red) also flips his cup successfully and places it in the top left corner.
- Jessica (Team Blue) flips her cup and places it in the bottom right corner.
- Ben (Team Blue) fumbles his cup and it lands on its side. He has to start over.
- Sarah flips again and places her cup diagonally next to Mike’s, creating a potential red line.
- Mike flips and secures the win for Team Red by placing his cup to complete the red diagonal line.
Flip Cup tic-tac-toeTips & Strategy
- Focus on perfecting your flipping technique for speed and accuracy.
- Communicate with your teammate – discuss your strategy and plan your cup placements.
- Pay attention to your opponent’s moves and try to block their potential winning lines.
FAQs
Can I play Flip Cup tic-tac-toe with just two players?
Yes, you can play with two players, but you’ll need to use two different colored cups per player to differentiate between teams’ moves.
What happens if a cup falls over after it’s been placed on the board?
The cup placement is considered invalid, and the player needs to re-flip their cup and place it again.
Is it safe to play Flip Cup tic-tac-toe with alcohol?
Always drink responsibly. Be mindful of your limits and avoid excessive drinking.
Discaimer
The Game Farm does not encourage or promote alcohol consumption of any kind. We do not take responsibility for any injuries, damages, or other consequences that may arise from the consumption of alcohol while playing our games.
It is the responsibility of each individual player to drink responsibly and know their limits. We recommend that players drink plenty of water and take breaks throughout the night to avoid becoming intoxicated.
If you are underage, please do not drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol underage is illegal and can have serious health consequences.
We hope you have fun playing our drinking games responsibly!
