What is the Vegas golf game?

Vegas is a four-player, two-team game. On each hole, a team’s two scores are paired into a two-digit number (lower score first). Teams compare numbers; the difference is the point swing for that hole. Many groups also use a birdie “flip” that reverses the other team’s digits.

How do you calculate Vegas golf scores?

For each team, order the two scores low-to-high and concatenate them (4 and 5 → 45). Subtract the higher team number from the lower; the difference is points won on that hole. Sum points over the round.

Can I play a full Vegas game in Rounds?

Yes. Live group scorekeeping, Vegas on the round, and in-app settlement — the whole game stays in Rounds.

Do I need a separate Vegas calculator app?

No. Rounds handles the live scoring and settlement. You don’t need a second calculator app for Vegas math.

Is Vegas the same as best ball?

No. Best ball takes the better score only. Vegas uses both scores paired into one number — which is why a bad hole hurts so much more.

Vegas golf

Vegas golf without rebuilding 45 vs 56 on every hole

Two teams. Pair each hole’s scores into a two-digit number — lower score first — then compare. A 4 and 5 becomes 45, not 9. Rounds runs Vegas with live scoring so point swings and flips don’t require a calculator in the cart.

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Vegas rules, step by step

Four players, two teams of two. On each hole, take each team’s two scores and form a two-digit number: the lower score is the tens digit, the higher is the ones. Compare the two numbers; the difference is that hole’s point swing. Add swings across the round. That’s the core of Vegas.

Why the pairing matters

Stroke play would call 4 and 5 a team 9. Vegas calls it 45. A double bogey doesn’t just add two — it can jump the paired number by ten or more. Blow-up holes get expensive fast, which is why honest individual scores on a live card matter.

Birdie flips (if your group plays them)

A common house rule: when the winning side makes a birdie (or better), they can “flip” the other team’s digits — 56 becomes 65 — before the swing is calculated. Flips turn quiet holes into chaos. Agree on flip rules before you tee off, then track everything against the live round in Rounds.

All in Rounds — not a second calculator

Vegas piles up points fast. Score the round live, track the game with the group, and settle when 18 is done. Free for most features on iOS — built for the group, not a GPS overlay.

Worked example

Example hole

Setup

Team A shoots 4 and 5. Team B shoots 5 and 6. Lower score goes first: Team A = 45, Team B = 56.

Result

Difference is 11 points to Team A. If that 4 was a birdie and your group plays flips, Team B’s 56 can become 65 — and the swing gets ugly fast. Rounds tracks individual scores on the live card so the paired math isn’t a mental debate on the next tee.

How to play Vegas in Rounds

Set the teams and stakes
Four players, two teams. Agree point values and whether birdie flips are on.
Score every player live
Vegas needs both scores on each team — keep a live scorecard for everyone.
Pair, compare, and track swings
Hole by hole, paired numbers and swings stay with the round inside Rounds.
Settle in-app
When the round ends, settle from the scores and Vegas totals you already tracked.

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