How Vegas works
- Split into two teams of two. Partners can stay the same all round or rotate every six holes so everyone plays with everyone.
- Make your team number. On each hole, put the two scores together with the lower score first. A 4 and a 5 make 45; a 3 and a 6 make 36.
- Lower number wins. The team with the lower number wins the difference in points. 45 against 56 is an 11-point hole.
- Settle up at the end. Add up each team’s points and pay the difference at an agreed value per point.
Keep the stakes small. Points add up fast in Vegas — a single hole can swing 30 points or more — so most groups play for dimes or quarters a point, or set a cap per hole.
The birdie flip
The rule that makes Vegas famous: if a player makes a birdie, the other team’s number is flipped so the higher score goes first. That turns a 45 into a 54 and makes the birdie worth a lot more.
Many groups also flip for an eagle (some double it), and agree that a birdie only flips if the other team didn’t make one too.
Scores of 10 or more
If a player makes double digits, the usual rule is that the big number goes first: a 4 and a 10 become 104, not 410. Some groups cap a blow-up hole at double par to keep things friendly.
A worked example
Anne & Ben play Cal & Dev for 10 cents a point.
| Hole | Anne & Ben | Cal & Dev | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4, 5 → 45 | 5, 6 → 56 | Anne & Ben +11 |
| 2 | 4, 4 → 44 | 4, 5 → 45 | Anne & Ben +1 |
| 3 | 5, 6 → flipped to 65 | 3 (birdie), 5 → 35 | Cal & Dev +30 |
After three holes Cal & Dev lead 30 to 12, or 18 points. At 10 cents a point, that’s $1.80 — usually split so each player on the losing team pays their opponent 90 cents.
Variations
- Rotating partners: switch teams after holes 6 and 12 so nobody is stuck with the same partner.
- Net Vegas: apply handicap strokes before building the numbers.
- No flips: skip the birdie rule for a calmer game.
Vegas FAQ
How do you make a team number in Vegas golf?
Put the two partners’ scores together with the lower score first. A 4 and a 5 make 45. The lower team number wins the hole by the difference.
What is the birdie flip in Vegas?
If a player makes a birdie, the other team’s number is reversed so the higher score comes first. A 45 becomes a 54, which makes the birdie worth more points.
What happens if someone scores 10 or more in Vegas?
The usual rule is that the double-digit score goes first, so a 4 and a 10 make 104. Some groups cap scores at double par instead.
How much should you play Vegas for?
Because points add up quickly, most groups play for small stakes like 10 or 25 cents a point, or cap the points on any one hole.
