How to Play the Chandelier Drinking Game (with Bonus Rules)

PDF download Download Article
Keep the party going with this popular, ping-pong slinging staple
PDF download Download Article

Like its siblings Beer Pong and Flip Cup, Chandelier is a drinking game that’s all about shooting ping pong balls into red plastic cups. But Chandelier has a few of its own tricks up its sleeve that makes it a standout activity for any frat party or kegger. We’ll show you how to set up and play a round, then fill you in on fun bonus rules to really heat up the competition.

Things You Should Know

  • Number of players: 2-8+
  • Setup: For each player, fill a cup â…“ full of beer and arrange them in a circle on a table. Place a full cup of beer in the center, on top of an overturned cup.
  • Object: Players take turns bouncing a ping pong ball into the center cup. If they make it, all players drink their own cup and attempt to flip it on the table.
Section 1 of 3:

Setting Up the Cups

PDF download Download Article
  1. Like most drinking games, Chandelier is best played in a large group. Grab some friends and position them around a large table. About 6-8 players is the sweet spot, and ensures the game isn’t too crowded, but feel free to play with as many players as can fit around the table. [1]
    • Technically, you might play with just 2-3 players, but we like the drama of a larger group
  2. Count up your players. For each player, fill a plastic cup about â…“ full of beer, or with a shot of the liquor of your choice. Then, arrange the cups in a circle in the center of the table, making sure each cup is in reach of its respective player. [2]
    • If you’re hosting a dry event, go ahead and use water, juice, soda, or another non-alcoholic beverage.
    Advertisement
  3. Place an empty cup upside down in the center of the circle of filled cups. Then, fill a cup with beer and place it on top of this overturned cup, creating a centerpiece for your beautiful plastic “chandelier.”
    4. Advertisement
Section 2 of 3:

Playing the Game

PDF download Download Article
  1. The first player attempts to bounce the ping pong ball off the table and into the raised center cup. If they’re unsuccessful, they pass the ping pong ball to the player on their left, who also tries to land the ball into the center cup. Play moves around the table clockwise.
    • Select the first player at random, play a quick Rock-Paper-Scissors tournament, or simply choose the youngest player to decide who goes first.
    • Each player gets just a single attempt per turn.
  2. If any player, including yourself, bounces the ping pong ball into your cup while they’re trying to land it in the center cup, take your cup and pound it back. Then, refill it and return it to the circle. [3]
    • After, the player to the left takes their turn.
  3. If a player bounces the ping pong ball into the center cup, everyone plays a quick game of Flip Cup . At the same time, every player races to chug the cup immediately in front of them. When it’s empty, they place the cup on the edge of the table and flick its bottom to make it flip and land upside-side down, onto its rim.
    • The last player to successfully flip their cup drinks the center cup, as well.
    • After, the player to the left of the person who threw the ball takes their turn.
    • Sometimes, cups might swivel on their rims for a moment before coming to a rest. Your cup only counts as flipped when it stops moving!
  4. Chandelier is a pretty casual drinking game, since there aren’t exactly any winners or losers, depending on the rules you’re using. End the game after each player has had 2-3 turns bouncing the ping pong ball, or just until you’ve all hit your limits or are ready to play another drinking game like Beer Pong or Boom Cup . [4]
    5. Advertisement
Section 3 of 3:

Bonus Rules & Variations

PDF download Download Article
  1. In this version, bouncing the ping pong ball into another player’s cup initiates a Flip Cup duel, where you and the other player race 1-on-1 to see who can drink and flip their cup the fastest. The player who loses the duel is eliminated from the game, so act fast!
    • With this rule, the last player standing at the table wins the overall game of Chandelier.
    • Another variation gives the other player 3 attempts to flip their cup. If they succeed, they’re still in the game. If they don’t, they’re eliminated. [5]
  2. For a much more intense game, add some higher stakes when someone lands the cup in the center of the chandelier. In this version, the last player to drink and flip their cup is eliminated, making for an ever-dwindling competition where only 1 player will emerge victorious. [6]
  3. With this rule, players can catch the ping pong ball if another player misses their shot, but only after the ball goes off the table. If you do catch it, you take the next turn. This can make for some killer combos and brutal rivalries.
  4. For a slightly more intense game, keep track of how many times each player sinks their ball into a cup. Landing it in someone else’s cup gives you 1 point, landing it in the center cup earns you 5, and landing it in your own cup subtracts a point. The first to 10 points wins.
  5. If you’re playing an elimination game, it’s less fun for people who go out without a chance to sink a ping pong ball. Remedy that by making a tournament bracket. The first 5 or so eliminated players move to a second table and play a runners-up game, then the winner of the runners-up table plays the winner at the first table in a 1-on-1 duel to take the crown.
    6. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      Warnings

      • The CDC advises that men drink no more than 24 fl oz (710 mL) (2 cans or bottles) of beer each day, and women drink no more than 12 fl oz (350 mL) (1 can or bottle) per day. [7]
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Play Presidents and Assholes
      17 Drinking Games for Just 2 Players
      How to
      Play the Drinking Game King’s Cup
      The True American Drinking Game: A Beginner’s Guide
      How to
      Play Cheers to the Governor
      25 Movie Drinking Games
      How to
      Play Flip Cup
      Beer Pong: How to Master the Ultimate Drinking Game
      16 Drinking Games to Play with 3 People
      The Ultimate Guide to Playing the Drinking Game Rage Cage
      The Best Football Drinking Games (Plus, Must-Haves for a Watch Party)
      How to
      Play Stack Cup (Plus House Rules & Variations)
      The Best Drinking Games You Can Play Without Cards: 27 Creative Ideas
      How to
      Play the Lord of the Rings Drinking Game
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ http://www.theme-party-queen.com/chandelier-flippy-cup-drinking-game.html
      2. ↑ https://drinksandlaughs.com/chandelier-drinking-game-how-to-play-4-variations/
      3. ↑ https://drinksandlaughs.com/chandelier-drinking-game-how-to-play-4-variations/
      4. ↑ https://drinksandlaughs.com/chandelier-drinking-game-how-to-play-4-variations/
      5. ↑ https://drinksandlaughs.com/chandelier-drinking-game-how-to-play-4-variations/
      6. ↑ https://drinksandlaughs.com/chandelier-drinking-game-how-to-play-4-variations/
      7. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/about-alcohol-use/moderate-alcohol-use.html

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 18,425 times.
      If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission .

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement