1v11point
Singles
One on one, 10 cups. You get 2 shots every turn.
Rules & game system
How toplay
- players per lineup
- 6
- games per match
- 3
- points up for grabs
- 6
- cities in the tournament
- 48
At a glance
Three games. Six points. One city.
City Wars is played in matches between two teams. Every match has three games – 1v1, 2v2 and 3v3. The more players at the table, the more points the game is worth. Whoever takes more of the six points wins.
2v22points
Doubles
Two on two, 10 cups. Each player on the team shoots once per turn.
3v33points
Triples
Three on three with 15 cups. The most valuable game of the match.
Try it out
Your city4:2Opponent
- 1v11 point
- 2v22 points
- 3v33 points
- 3v3Deciding game
Win 4:2You take 3 points in the group table.
Tournament format
From the group stage to the trophy
48 cities, 8 groups and one winner. In the group you collect points; in the playoffs every loss ends your run at the title. And if things don't work out in the group or the first playoff round, you've still got plenty to play for.
- 01
Groups
Groups A to H play a round robin. The top four teams from each group advance to the playoffs.
- 02
Playoffs
A knockout bracket. The winner moves on, the loser is out. At 3:3, an extra 3v3 game decides it.
- 03
Medals
The two best teams meet in the final, while the losing semi-finalists play for bronze.
Groups A–H
Advance Side tournamentA
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
Table points
- 3Win6:0 · 5:1 · 4:2
- 1Draw3:3
- 0Loss2:4 · 1:5 · 0:6
Game points depend on the game: 1v1 = 1 point, 2v2 = 2 points, 3v3 = 3 points.
Playoffs · 32 teams
Knockout format, the loser is out5th and 6th in the group
Side tournament
Finishing at the bottom of your group doesn't mean the fun is over. Teams from the last two spots play a knockout side tournament.
Out in playoff round 1
Second Chance Cup
Knocked out in the very first playoff round? The knockout Second Chance Cup is waiting for you.
When teams are level on points
The criteria are applied in order. The first one in which the teams differ decides.
- 1Head-to-head
The results of the matches between the teams level on points decide.
- 2Game points
First the game point difference, then the higher number of game points won.
3:3+6:0+4:2+5:1+1:5=19:11+8 - 3Cup difference
Cups hit minus cups lost across all games.
- 4Cups hit
The higher number of cups hit across all games.
- 5Points per game
Across all 15 group games (5× 1v1, 5× 2v2, 5× 3v3): win 3 points, overtime win 2 points, overtime loss 1 point, loss 0 points.
Lineups & roster
Six players, one game each
In every match each player plays in just one game. So a lineup has six different players, and at least one game must include a female player.
Lineup for one match
At least 1 female player- 1v1Player A
- 2v2Player BPlayer C
- 3v3Player DPlayer EPlayer F
1 + 2 + 3 = 6 different players
How often a player can play
| Stage | 1v1 | 2v2 | 3v3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groupfor the whole group | 1× | 2× | 3× |
| Playoffsexcluding medal matches | 1× | 2× | 3× |
| Final & 3rd placeonly lineup rules apply | No limit | ||
Playoffs · 3:3
Deciding 3v3 game
If a playoff match is still level after three games, an extra 3v3 game follows. Players from 1v1 and 2v2 and substitutes can play. Anyone who already played 3v3 in this match sits this one out. The female player rule doesn't apply here.
1v1, 2v2 and subs
3v3 players
Roster step by step
- Before the tournament
Send your roster
The captain sends the team roster to the organizers. You can edit it until the 1st group round starts.
- Before every match
Hand in your lineup
The captain hands in the full lineup. Only players on the roster can play.
- During the match
The lineup is set
Once it's handed in, you can't swap players. The only exception is a substitute, who can step in for a player from the lineup.
- After the match
Turn in the results
The captain of the team that won the last 3v3 game brings the signed results to the designated spot.
When things don't go to plan
Player over the limit
If a player plays against the rules (say, a second 1v1 in the group), the game they played is forfeited to the opponent. Their other games still count.
The organizers only check this at the opposing captain's request: in the group until it ends, in the playoffs until the next round starts. Later complaints aren't accepted.
Missing player
If nobody from the team shows up for a game, it's forfeited. If one player is missing in 2v2 or 3v3, their shots are skipped until they're back.
Nobody else may shoot for them, and the team loses its bonus shots.
Forfeit
A forfeited game goes down as a win for the opponent with this score:
10:51v1 & 2v215:103v3
A forfeit only affects that one game; the rest of the match is played as normal.
Game rules
From the first shot to the last cup
Setup
- Each side of the table has 10 cups of water, or 15 in a 3v3 game.
- The cups form an equilateral triangle, with the back row at the back edge of the table.
- Neighbouring cups touch for the whole game and their rims don't overlap.
- If your opponent asks, you have to straighten the formation according to the rules.
Who shoots when
- 1Rock, paper, scissors
Or a coin toss. The winner picks who starts.
- 2Opening shot
The starting team gets just 1 shot at the very start of the game.
- 3Turn
After that, each player shoots once. In 1v1 you get two shots.
- 4Bonus
If everyone hits in a turn, the team gets 1 bonus shot. Players take turns on bonus shots.
Try a rerack
When 10, 6, 3 or 1 cup is left, the formation is reracked right away. Click the cups and watch what happens.
Shoot from here
10cups in play
- 6
- 3
- 1
Click a cup to shoot.
Which shots count
Direct shot
−1 cupThe ball lands in a cup without touching the table. The cup that was hit is removed. In 1v1 it counts even if the ball bounced off the table first.
Bounce shot
−2 cupsThe ball bounces off the table first and then drops into a cup. The opponent removes the cup that was hit plus 1 more of their choice. Once the ball hits the table, though, they may catch or swat it.
Not in 1v1Off-table bounce
No goodIf the ball bounces off something beyond the table edge (wall, floor, spectators) and then drops into a cup, the cup stays in play and the shot doesn't count.
Defence
You can
- Catch and swat balls that have already touched a cup rim or the table (in 1v1 only a cup).
- Distract your opponents from behind your edge of the table. Fair, friendly and with a smile.
You can't
- Reach your hands or any other body part over the table while the opponent is shooting.
- Blow on the ball.
- Catch or block the ball before it has bounced off something.
- Touch or move the table.
- Blind your opponents with a phone light, a mirror or a laser.
- Distract your opponents from anywhere other than behind your edge of the table.
Rules in detail
- When shooting, you stand behind your edge of the table.
- At the start of your shot both feet are on the ground; during the shot you may lift one.
- You can't lean on the table when shooting. Light contact with your legs is tolerated.
- During your turn you can't take away and put back your own cups that are still in play. The first time you get a warning; for every further violation you remove one of your own cups of your choice.
You can't throw two balls at once. You may throw the next ball only once:
- the previous ball has left the table,
- the previous ball hit a cup, that cup is out of play and the formation on the table is in order,
- the previous ball is lying on the table and the opponent doesn't want to pick it up right away,
- the previous ball hit a cup at the edge of the table and that cup is already out of play.
- If the ball lands in a cup without touching the table, the opponent removes the cup that was hit. In 1v1 this applies even if the ball touches the table first.
- If the ball deflects towards a cup off something on the opponent's side (a cup rim, removed cups…) without leaving the space above the table edges, or hits a defending player behind the table, the opponent may block it.
- If the ball bounces off something beyond the table edge (wall, floor, spectators) and then drops into a cup, the cup stays in play and the shot counts as a miss.
- If a third party stops the ball above the table (a spectator leaning on the table, a ball from the next table…), the obstacle is removed and the shot is retaken.
- If the ball first hits a defending player's body, or an object they're holding or throw at the ball above the table, the defending team removes 1 cup of their choice. If the ball still ends up in a cup, only the cup that was hit is removed.
- If the ball bounces off the table first and ends up in a cup, the opponent removes the cup that was hit and 1 more of their choice.
- As soon as the ball touches the table, the opponent may catch or block it.
- A cup goes out of play after a valid hit or as a penalty cup.
- Put removed cups off the table or in a row along the side edges of the table. You can't place them any closer to the middle of the table.
- When 10, 6 or 3 cups are left on your side, rerack them right away into a triangle with the back row at the back edge of the table.
- The last cup goes in the middle of the back edge of the table.
- If penalty cups would drop the count below 10, 6 or 3, first set up the matching triangle, then remove the penalty cups from it as you choose.
- Shot before a rerack: if nobody notices a rerack was due and the player hits, the hit counts. The formation is reracked right away and the defending team picks which cups come off. If the player misses, they don't get another try.
- Shot during a rerack: if the player hits a cup that isn't in its new spot yet, or hits the hand of an opponent who is reracking, the shot doesn't count and the player shoots again. If they miss, they don't get another shot.
- If the ball bounces off the table and hits the hand of a player who is reracking, it counts as validly blocked and there's no new shot.
You lose an extra cup when:
- the opponent hits a cup with a bounce shot (except in 1v1),
- one of your own players removes a cup from play,
- you take away and put back your cups during your turn (after a warning),
- you illegally block the opponent's ball above the table,
- you blow out a ball that's in a cup or heading into it – that cup goes out of play.
- If you knock over your own cup during the opponent's shot so that it falls to the floor or its rim touches the table, it goes out of play. If the opponent hits another cup at the same time, both come off.
- Except in 1v1: if you knock over a cup the opponent hit with a bounce shot, the knocked-over cup and 1 penalty cup come off.
- Except in 1v1: if you knock over several cups and one of them was hit with a bounce shot, only the knocked-over cups come off.
- Except in 1v1: if you knock over one or more cups and the opponent hits another cup with a bounce shot, you remove the cup that was hit, 1 penalty cup and all the knocked-over cups.
- If you accidentally knock over a cup while fixing the formation or getting ready to shoot, there's no penalty. Refill it with water and put it back.
Redemption & overtime
The last cup isn't the end
When the opponent hits your last cup, you get a chance to tie it up – the redemption. How many attempts you get depends on the game format and how many cups the opponent still has standing.
The opponent just hit your last cup. It's not over yet! Answer a few questions to find out how many attempts you get to tie it up.
1
Which game are you playing?
2
How many cups does the opponent have left?
3
Which shot of their turn did the opponent finish on?
Your redemption
2 attempts
Two of you get one attempt each. If both miss, the game is over.
If you tie it upOvertime · 4 cups in a diamond
Overtime · 1v1 & 2v2
3 cups in a triangle
Whoever sank their last cup first starts and gets 2 shots.
Overtime · 3v3
4 cups in a diamond
The last cup sits in the middle of the back edge. The team that finished first starts and gets 3 shots.
Overtime follows the same rules as the game, redemption included.
Rules FAQ
Anything still unclear?
Clean water. Here it's all about accuracy, team spirit and the glory of your city.
No. In every match each player plays only one of the three games. That's why a lineup has six different players.
Yes, a female player has to play in at least one of the three games of a match. The only exception is the deciding 3v3 game at 3:3 in the playoffs.
In the group it's a draw and both teams get 1 point in the table. In the playoffs a deciding 3v3 game follows. Nobody who already played 3v3 in that match may play in it. Players from 1v1 and 2v2 and substitutes can step in.
A chance to tie it up. When the opponent hits your last cup, you haven't lost yet – you get a shot at sinking their remaining cups. How many attempts you get depends on the game format and how many cups the opponent has left.
The cup that was hit always comes off. Penalty cups are chosen by the team that loses them.
The obstacle is removed and the shot is retaken. Nobody loses anything.
The captain of the team that won the last 3v3 game brings the signed results to the designated spot.
You know the rules inside out. Now just sink it.
Put together a squad of six to fly your city's colours and show everyone how you play back home.