General Provisions
Official Referee Signals
The standing record for calls an Official can make across the table, including the general signals referenced by game pages.
Signals let the Official make a call that every player can see, from across the room, over music. Officials should give the signal and say the call aloud at the same time.
General signals
Provision 7.1. These signals apply in every game.
| Call | Signal |
|---|---|
| Start of play | Blow the whistle. If there is no whistle, say "whistle." |
| Drink | Point at the player, then raise a closed hand toward your mouth, once. |
| Social | Raise both arms straight up. |
| Warning | Raise one finger and hold eye contact. |
| Infraction | Point at the player, then at the spot where it happened. |
| Loss of turn | Point at the player, then sweep one hand toward the next player. |
| Challenge (review) | Draw a rectangle in the air with both index fingers. |
| The ruling stands | Press both palms down toward the table, slowly. |
| The ruling is overturned | Wave both hands, palms down, side to side across the body. |
| Hydration timeout | Form a T with both hands, then point at the water. |
| Fine (payable in snacks) | Hold out one open hand, palm up, toward the host. |
| End of game | Cross both wrists in front of you, then lower them. |
Game signals
Provision 7.2. These signals apply only in the games listed.
| Call | Signal | Game |
|---|---|---|
| Bounce shot | Dribble an imaginary ball once, then hold up two fingers. | Beer Pong |
| Balls back | Point both thumbs back over the shoulders. | Beer Pong |
| Elbow violation | Tap your own elbow twice. | Beer Pong |
| Interference | Cross both forearms above your head. | Beer Pong |
| Re-rack | Draw a triangle in the air with one finger. | Beer Pong |
| Redemption | Raise one finger, then circle it. | Beer Pong |
| Stacked | Stack one fist on top of the other. | Rage Cage |
| Caged (game over) | Hold both hands up, fingers spread, like bars. | Rage Cage |
| Breaking the ring | Draw a circle in the air, then cut through it with one hand. | Kings Cup |
| Last to floor, thumb or Heaven | Point at the player, then at the floor, table or ceiling. | Kings Cup |
| Answering the Question Master | Touch a finger to your lips. | Kings Cup |
| Waterfall | Raise one hand and wiggle the fingers downward. | Kings Cup |
| The fourth King | Form a crown above your head with both hands, then point at the cup. | Kings Cup |
| False start | Roll both forearms over each other in front of the chest. | Flip Cup, Boat Race |
| A gift | Hold out both hands, palms up, toward the other team. | Stack Cup |
| Team stacked out | Raise both fists overhead, one stacked on the other. | Stack Cup |
| Plunk | Drop a closed fist into an open palm. | Beer Die |
| Plink | Flick one finger against an open palm. | Beer Die |
| Saying "five" or "seven" | Hold up five fingers and shake your head. | Beer Die |
| Rim shot that falls in | Draw a circle in the air with one finger, then point down. | Quarters |
| Three in a row | Tap three fingers on the table. | Quarters |
| Strike | Punch one fist forward. | Baseball |
| Out | Jerk a thumb over the shoulder. | Baseball |
| Home run | Circle one finger above your head. | Baseball |
| Steal attempt | Point at the runner, then at the next base. | Baseball |
| The chandelier falls | Raise both hands overhead, fingers spread, then turn them palm-down. | Chandelier |
| Slap | Sweep one palm across the other. | Slap Cup |
| Player eliminated | Point at the player, then at the side of the table. | Civil War |
| Drips | Place one flat hand on top of your head. | Boat Race |
| Hit (target down) | Chop one flat hand downward, like a falling tree. | Beer Ball |
| Stop | Close both open hands into fists, once. | Beer Ball |
| Can check | Turn one fist upside down above your head. | Beer Ball |
| All aboard | Pull an imaginary bus cord, twice. | Ride the Bus |
| Wrong call (drink the pile) | Point at the pile, then at the player. | Higher or Lower |
| Bluff called | Tap the side of your nose, then point at the claimer. | Pyramid |
| They're off | Drop one hand like a starter's flag. | Horse Race |
| Falter | Pull one hand back toward your chest. | Horse Race |
| Photo finish | Mime pressing a camera shutter. | Horse Race |
| Up the river | Raise one flat hand, rising. | Up and Down the River |
| Wrong number | Hold up one finger and draw it back toward yourself. | Cheers to the Governor |
| Twenty-one (the toast) | Raise an imaginary glass. | Cheers to the Governor |
| Reverse | Turn one hand over, palm up, toward the new direction. | Fuzzy Duck |
| Nobody drinks | Point back at the player who made the statement. | Never Have I Ever |
| Missed sign | Drum twice on the table, then point at the player. | Thumper |
| Miss or repeat | Clap twice, then point at the player. | Categories |
| The reveal | Cup one hand behind your ear. | Paranoia |
| Count of three | Count on three fingers, then point straight up. | Most Likely To |
| Twenty-one (finish your drink) | Hold up two fingers, then one. | 21 |
| Medal ceremony | Place one hand over your heart. | The Beer Games |
| The change | Tap your wrist, then raise your glass. | Power Hour |
| Penalty stroke | Hold up one finger, then mime a short golf swing. | Pub Golf |
| Hole complete | Tap the scorecard twice. | Pub Golf |
| Down the river | Lower one flat hand, falling. | Up and Down the River |
| End of the line | Hold one flat hand up, palm out, like a stop sign. | Ride the Bus |
Provision 7.3. Unofficial signals. Players may invent their own signals. They have no force. An Official who adopts one has made a house rule and must declare it.