Official Tournament Rules
HOUSE LAW
Last Updated: Default v1.0
Created By: Social Draft
Version: 1.0
Each event may publish its own version. Open an event and tap Rules to view the host's official version. Once registration closes or the tournament starts, the rules lock for the duration of play.
Prohibited Actions
- ▸No fingering cups
- ▸No blowing balls out of cups
- ▸No Death Cups
- ▸No Gentleman Rule
- ▸No elbows over the table
- ▸No Island Rule
- ▸No excessive trash talking
- ▸No creating personal house rules
Tournament Format
- ▸Double Elimination
- ▸Play arm's length to the table (not elbows)
- ▸Eye-for-eye shooting determines first possession
- ▸Rock-paper-scissors if no shots are made
Bounce Rules
- ▸One bounce per play (teams)
- ▸One bounce first play only (singles)
- ▸Bounce shot counts as two cups if made
Balls Back Rules
- ▸Two cups made in a round = Balls Back
- ▸Same Cup: three cups total + Balls Back awarded
- ▸If first shot is a bounce and second shot lands in the same cup: four cups total removed
Re-Racks
- ▸Two re-racks per team per game.
Trick Shots
- ▸Trick Shot — no opposite hand throws
- ▸Trick Cup — made twice counts as three cups
Dance Cup 💃
- ▸Re-sink a made cup on the sideline stack? Dance it out for 10 seconds. No dance = 1 cup penalty.
Heating Up & Fire
- ▸Heating Up — applies to teams
- ▸Fire — applies to teams
End Game Rules
- ▸Last Two Cups: same cup ends the game; no rebuttal.
- ▸Last Three Cups: same cup does not end the game; rebuttals apply.
- ▸Rebuttal: team must clear cups consecutively for game continuation.
Forfeits
- ▸No substitutes
- ▸Walk-outs are forfeits
- ▸Opponent automatically wins
Penalties
- ▸Spill Penalty — spill a cup during active play, that cup is removed. Max 1 cup.
- ▸Hand Penalty — equals 1 cup.
- ▸Knocked Over Made Cup — only the made cup is removed.
Referees
- ▸Questions, disputes, and rulings are handled by tournament referees. All referee decisions are final.
Rule Acceptance at Registration
- ☐I have read all tournament rules.
- ☐I understand tournament rulings are final.
- ☐I agree to follow venue policies.
- ☐I agree to compete respectfully.
A digital signature, timestamp, event ID, and rules version are stored with your registration.
Got a question?
Submit a dispute or clarification from the event's Rules page.