A primer on competitive eating’s premier event:

1: During the allotted period of time, contestants eat as many hot dogs and buns (called “HDBs“) as they can.
2: They’re allowed to use a beverage of their choice to wash things down.
3: They must stay in full view of their own, personal “Bunnette” scorekeeper.
4: Condiments may be used, but are not required.
5: HDBs that are still in the mouth at the end of the contest only count if they are eventually swallowed.
6: Puking up the hot dogs before the end of the contest (called “a reversal“) will result in a disqualification, unless you do something horrific to make up for it (more on this later.)