The game typically consists of two- to four-player teams, one on each side of a table.

The object of the game is to do it so carefully that the opposing team cannot guess which player has the coin.

Once this selection is made, the opposing team's captain yells "Up Jenkins" at which point all players on the team with the coin place their elbows on the table with their hands, closed in a fist, pointing straight toward the ceiling.

Where the games is played in conjunction with alcohol, successful isolation results in the coin team drinking.

The quantity of alcohol consumed per round is a matter of house rules or local variation.