Section 7: Violations & Penalties
Minor Turn Violations
The following actions normally require the offending player to correct the problem and continue the same leg:
- Beginning a flip before completely consuming the agreed serving.
- Touching or catching the cup while it is still moving after an attempted flip.
- Claiming completion when the cup is upright, on its side, off the table, or supported by another object.
- Receiving physical help to retrieve, position, or flip the cup.
For a minor violation, the cup is returned upright to the active player's flipping position. If any of the serving was deliberately poured out, the cup must be refilled to the original amount before that player restarts the leg.
Relay Violations
- Early start: If a player begins drinking before the preceding cup has legally settled, that player's cup is refilled to the original level and the leg restarts after the preceding leg is complete.
- False start by the lead player: Stop both teams, reset the cups and servings, and restart the round. Repeated deliberate false starts may result in loss of the round.
- Wrong order: Stop the offending team and return play to the first player whose proper turn was skipped. Any later flips do not count.
- Interference: A player who intentionally blocks, touches, distracts, or knocks away an opponent's cup causes their team to lose the round.
Equipment and Spill Problems
An accidental spill caused solely by the active player is treated as an incomplete serving: refill the cup and continue that leg. If an opponent, spectator, unstable table, or defective cup caused the spill, pause play, restore equal conditions, and resume from the affected leg. Replay the round when the original state cannot be restored fairly.
Unsporting Conduct
Bullying, dangerous behavior, intentional cheating, harassment, or pressuring anyone to drink warrants immediate removal from the game. A removed player's team may use an agreed substitute; otherwise the teams should rebalance before continuing.
Dispute Resolution
A neutral starter's immediate ruling controls when one was appointed. Without a neutral starter, team captains should seek agreement based on what was plainly observed. When evidence is inconclusive and the disputed action decided the round, replay the round rather than inventing an advantage.