Flip Cup Guys

When it comes to drinking games, flip cup is king in Hoboken.

That's largely due to the efforts of the Flip Cup Guys, a couple of friends who, after a successful string of games one night last year, recognized the potential for some serious fun.

The duo, who in the public eye go only by their first names, Mike and Scott, are themselves devotees of the game, a college standby in which teams compete relay-style to drain cups of beer and flip them on a table edge.

After games of kickball as part of a social sports league, the two Staten Island natives would hit Hoboken bars with friends, "and we would play this great game," Scott says. "And we were wondering why there was no organized version of flip cup. So we organized this fun, one-off event and thought that was the end of it."

Well, it wasn't.

After spots in that first tournament sold out through word of mouth, they thought they'd try one more and set up a Web site where teams could sign up to compete. The spots were sold out in 24 hours.

After that, says Scott, they realized they'd hit on something good.

Soon, fans were stopping them in the street, recognizing their faces from tournaments.

"Hoboken really named us," Scott says, laughing. "People would come up to us and be like, 'You're the flip cup guys!' After that happened 25 or 30 times, we thought this was probably the name for us."

Scott attributes the success of the tournaments to several factors. First and foremost, he says, it's just plain fun.

"It's all about the social and entertainment factor," he says. Sure, it's competitive and there are prizes to be won, but Scott says they strive to not take themselves or the tournaments too seriously.

That said, there are some competitors who go all out.

"In New Jersey and New York, there are eight to 10 teams who, if they don't come every month, come every other month," says Scott. "We have some players who actually hold tryouts. Nothing says teamwork like coming into a tournament with custom uniforms and headbands."

And it's not just another night out at the bar. You do have to pay to get into a tournament -- $30 per player, $25 per spectator -- but you're also doing good. A portion of the proceeds from the night are donated to the charity of the winning team's choice.

The safety factor

What else draws the crowds? And what accounts for their consistent 60-40 female-to-male ratio, which tends to surprise people?

After polling women at their events, Scott says he has a good idea of why they're such reliable fans. Typically, they cite the fact that the competitive spirit isn't too in-your-face. Plus, they say, it's not dirty, and it's safe.

The safety factor is one that Scott and Mike actively cultivate. Designated drivers get into tournaments free and can still participate --just with water in their cups instead of beer. (Incidentally, they say anyone who isn't a beer drinker is welcome to do the same.) In addition, they've teamed up with sponsor #TAXI, a service that allows anyone who needs a ride to connect to local cab companies via cell phone.

Scott says they're proud of the fact that they've never had a single incident.

"We understand that this" -- drinking games on a large scale -- "can have a negative connotation if done incorrectly. The way we see it, the safer and more monitored we can make it, the better."

Their approach to fun has definitely struck a chord, and not just with Hobokenites. They've already expanded their territory into New York, where they'll hold what they're billing as the "World's Largest Flip Cup Tournament" at M1-5 Bar in Manhattan on Oct. 11. Their first efforts at winning over Philadelphia bar-goers launches in November, and after that, the enterprising team of two has set their sights on Boston.

Those in Jersey who haven't experienced a Flip Cup Guys tournament will get the chance soon. At 1 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 20), they take over Lounge 11 on the corner of Fifth and Madison. With a three-hour open beer bar, you're sure to have fun, even if your team tanks. Visit their Web site, www.flipcupguys.com, to reserve a spot for your team of six, read the complete rules and check out future events.

Can't make it? Don't worry -- there will be several more Flip Cup Guys nights in Hoboken between November and February. Because no matter how big their flip cup empire grows, Scott says, "Hoboken will always be our headquarters. This is where it all began."