The programme is presented by Ben Shephard and features three players (four players in Series 1–11) answering questions on the subject of general knowledge in order to win counters, which they use on a large coin pusher arcade-style machine in order to win cash and prizes.

[2][3] The machine consists of two shelves filled with flat circular counters; the upper shelf slowly extends and retracts, whilst the lower one is stationary.

Any counters that bounce out of the machine and land on either the floor or the lip of the win zone during a turn are still credited toward that contestant's score.

As of Series 9, the mystery and double counters are respectively coloured green and yellow to more easily distinguish them from the others in the machine.

The resulting friction can greatly slow the counter or even stop its descent altogether for a very short period of time.

Ghost drops, mistimed drops and unexpected bounces can lead to a counter landing on the upper shelf so that it partially overlaps or "rides" on others; such plays rarely trigger falls into the win zone and can adversely affect a contestant's turn.

Contestants who are blind or visually impaired are allowed to have a helper stationed backstage who can see the machine on a monitor and give advice through an audio earpiece as to where and when to play each counter.

The host asks a series of toss-up general knowledge questions and the first contestant to buzz-in may answer.

If this pot contains any counters by the end of the round, they are put at stake on one final toss-up open to all contestants.

The last remaining contestant is given a jackpot counter (larger than the others used in the game and coloured gold with a red star) and chooses a zone from which to drop it into the machine.

The correct answer awards the chosen number of counters, which the contestant immediately plays into the machine.

In the celebrity version, each episode (except ones filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Soccer Aid Specials) has a live audience.

The programme showcases the best and most dramatic finales from previous episodes of Regular Tipping Point and as of Series 2, they also included some dramatic finales from previous episodes of the primetime celebrity spin-off Tipping Point: Lucky Stars.

Legend:The official Tipping Point app for iOS was released by Barnstorm Games on 30 March 2014.