How to Do the Cup Game

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Last Updated: February 24, 2025 References

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Setting up the Cup Game

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Playing the Cup Game

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Q&A

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Tips

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Things You'll Need

Rhythmic games like the cup game, that involve clapping your hands and tapping an object on a hard surface, have been around for many years. Recently, a performer Anna Kendrick demonstrated the cup game in the movie Pitch Perfect, and the cup game has been popular ever since.^{[1]
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Research source} If you'd like to join your friends in playing this game at recess or during lunch, or if you simply want a rhythmic and enjoyable way to pass your time, the cup game can be learned in just a few minutes.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Setting up the Cup Game

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1
Test your cup. You'll want a fairly sturdy cup to play the cup game with. Plastic cups make a great sound when hit and clapped on the table, but be sure if you're using a plastic cup that it's strong enough to withstand the game. Otherwise you might break the cup over the course of your game.
- If playing with a plastic cup, take it in your hand and put pressure on it gently. If it feels like it is brittle or might break, you may want to get a different cup.
- Glass or ceramic cups can break while playing the cup game. This can lead to cuts, so if you plan on using a glass or ceramic cup, it should be very sturdy.
- Some glass and ceramic cup can make a bright, pleasing sound when clapped to the table.
2
Clear your surface. When playing the cup game you'll be tapping on the surface in front of you, clapping the cup to the surface, and sliding your cup back and forth. You'll want to make sure that objects that might get in your way, like your lunch or a beverage, are safely out of the way before playing.
- Table cloths can make it difficult for you to slide your glass while playing the cup game. Depending on the cup you are using and the heaviness of the tablecloth, you may want to remove the cloth before play.
- Be sure your flat surface is stable! A card table or a poorly supported table might not be able to withstand the claps, taps, and slaps of the cup game.
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The starting position for your cup will be directly in front of you. Your hands should be at the to either side of the cup, ready to both clap and move the cup while playing the cup game.^{[2]
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Listen to or sing the song "When I'm Gone" as you play. This is optional, but a song can help you stay in sync with other people when you are playing with your friends. "When I'm Gone" is the song performed by Anna Kendrick while playing the cup game, but you might find the rhythms of other songs work just as well.^{[3]
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- You might sing the song that is credited as the origin of the cup song, "Screen Door" by Rich Mullens.^{[4]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Playing the Cup Game

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Your hands should be to either side of your cup, and your cup should be directly in front of you on a flat, stable surface. Take your hands and clap twice over the cup.^{[5]
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2
Tap the cup three times. Once you have clapped, you're going to do a three-beat drum roll on the top of your cup with your finger(s). This will make a hollow, rhythmic sound from your cup that will break up your clapping. Tap the top of the cup three times: right hand, left hand, right hand.^{[6]
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- Left-handers should tap the bottom of the cup similarly, using the tapping pattern left-right-left.
- Tap the cup rapidly with your fingers to add variety between the slower rhythms of your claps and your faster, lighter taps.
After you have finished your drum roll taps on the top of the cup, you should clap once more above the cup to the beat of the music. If there is no music, simply clap in a steady, rhythmic fashion.
4
Tap your cup to the table. After your clap, you'll need to swiftly pick up your cup with your right hand. Staying in rhythm with the beat of your claps and taps, firmly clap the cup back down onto the table about 6 inches (15 cm) to the right of its starting position.^{[7]
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- Left-handers should perform this motion similarly, picking up the cup with the left hand and then placing it back down onto the table about 6 inches (15 cm) to the left of its starting position.
- You shouldn't need to raise your cup any more than 2 inches (5 cm) from the table.
- Your cup should remain upside down while tapping it to the table.
5
Clap your hands and pick up the cup again. Clap once, loudly, and then reach with your right hand to retrieve the cup from the table. When grabbing the cup, your hand should be on the inside of the cup, and your thumb pointed toward the table.
- Left-handers should pick up the cup with their left hand.
6
Clap the mouth of the cup and knock its bottom to the table. With your right hand clap the mouth of the cup against your left palm. Then, knock the bottom of the cup quickly and lightly against the table. This should create a staccato bounce of the cup between your left palm to the table.
- Left-handers should clap the cup to their right palm, and then knock the bottom of the cup against the table in the same fashion employed by right-handers.
- You should not let go of the cup at this point.^{[8]
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Clap the bottom of the cup and switch hands. Use your right hand to lift the cup and clap its bottom against the palm of your left hand. After you clap, you'll want to hold onto the cup with your left hand and release with your right.
- Left-handers should clap the bottom of the cup with their right hand and then transfer the cup from their left to right hand.^{[9]
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Slap the table and return the cup to the table. With your now free right hand, slap the table a little to the left of directly in front of you. After that, use your left hand to clap the cup against the table a little to the right of directly in front of you.
- Left-handers will mirror these ending motions so that their left hand slaps the table a little to the right of directly in front of them, the right hand claps the cup to the table a little to the left of directly in front of them, both arms crossing in front.
- After returning the cup to the table, your arms should be crossed in front of you, your right hand to the left, your left hand to the right and still holding the cup.
- Return your hands to either side of the cup to prepare to repeat the game from the beginning.
- You can continue playing the cup game for as long as the music plays, or for as long as you wish.^{[10]
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The traditional version of this game has each cupper pass their cup to the cupper on their right. As you play, you should increase the speed at which you play the cup game. Any players who fumble or drop the cup should step out of the group until only one winner remains.^{[11]
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Community Q&A

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Question

Is it OK to use glass?

Community Answer

Depending on the shape of the cup and how careful you are with flipping the cup, yes. Plastic or paper is safer.

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Do I have to sing the song or listen to the song?

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You can do either one, whichever one suits your taste.

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Is it okay to use a paper cup?

Kim G

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The main concern with paper is whether it is sturdy enough to withstand the cup game. As long as you are careful with the cup, using one made of paper is fine.

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Tips

A good cupper believes in themselves.

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A friend can help you learn the rhythm more quickly.

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Try to increase your speed as you practice. This way, you'll eventually be able to surprise your friends with your incredible speed!

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