Phalanx Formation
Difficulty: ★★★★★
Set up 10 cups in 2 horizontal rows of 5, as pictured. The back row middle 3 cups cannot be sunk. When a front row cup is sunk, the cups directly behind it moves forward to fill the gap. If both cups in a vertical row are sunk, then all cups automatically shuffle inwards to remove any gaps. The formation ‘collapses’ when there is 5 or less remaining, or after 2 ‘shuffles’ have occurred. When the formation collapses, you must drink all but 3 cups, and your team continues with normal pong.
| Country | Interactions/technicalities with other countries |
|---|---|
| n/a | 6-cup variation: North Macedonia start with 6 cups, in two rows of 3. Again, only the front row can be sunk. The formation collapses down to 2 cups, after 3 cups have been sunk, or after one ‘shuffle’. |
| Egypt | If a vertical row has been removed from North Macedonia’s setup (i.e., North Macedonia has 4 cups in the front row), Egypt may move a cup and place it adjacent to the front row, as if the original five cups were still in play. Any cups left by themselves in a row must be brought forward, as usual, however. |
