How to Play Beer Pong

Guide Note

Beloved by college students, beer pong is one of the priceless pieces of knowledge you learn while at a university that you will never forget. But just because you aren't in school doesn't mean you can't play. Here are the general rules for the infamous beer drinking game, with some suggestions you may want to try.

Table of Contents

Beer Pong Playing Tips

  1. This is a team sport: you need four people.
  2. Having a water cup may help kill germs.
  3. Try out new variations for a new game.
  4. Bouncing your ball on cups is risky, but can pay off.
  5. New and crazy distractions can be fun and help you win.
  6. Binge drinking is a problem associated with beer pong, so play responsibly.

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Introduction

  • (Creative Commons photo by Tavallai)
    (Creative Commons photo by Tavallai)
    Stop by any fraternity house in any college town in America, and chances are you will happen upon a game (or at least the remnants of a game) of beer pong. Arguably the official game of collegiate beer drinking champions, beer pong is a major reason why red and blue plastic cups are often sold out at your grocery store, as well as why they sell more ping pong balls than paddles. This fun pastime has kept many a student entertained, but you don't need to be in school to enjoy it. Just grab your supplies, work on perfecting your aim and you are headed for a night of fun.

Beer Pong Basics

  • Originally called Beirut, the origin of beer pong differs depending on which fraternity you ask. Some have stated that the game of beer pong started in the 1980s in Beirut, Lebanon.1 Others claim that the popular, paddle-less version of the game was first observed at Bucknell University in 1983, and then popularized at Lehigh University at a Beirut tournament hosted by Brian "Stubby" Poulton and the Theta Delta Chi brothers. Another theory claims Sigma Nu first played it paddle-less in 1986 at Bucknell University, one drunken night when all the ping pong paddles broke.2
  • No matter where the game originated, the materials used to play the game tend to be the same. While some companies sell supplies and kits, the items are easy to procure.3 You will need: 1
  1. A ping pong table or similar flat surface around the same height and size.
  2. Two ping pong balls
  3. 12 - 22 cups (any size will work, but around 16 oz works the best)
  4. Two teams of two people each
  5. Cold beer in cans, bottles or kegs
  6. Two cups of water (optional, but recommended)

How to Set Up the Game

  1. Set up your cups in the middle of the opposite lengthwise ends of the table. Shape the cups like a triangle.6
    1. If you are playing the 12 cup game, each team will have six cups (three cups at the edge of the table, two in front of them, and one in front of that).6
    2. If you are playing a 20 cup game, each team will have ten cups (four cups at the edge of the table, three in front of them, two in front of that, and one in front of that).6
  2. Place a cup of water on each team's side. This is used to wash off the ping pong balls after each play.7
  3. Fill each cup about 1/4 of the way full.9
  4. Each team should pick a side of the table. Both members of the team should stand behind the cup triangle on their side.7

Game Play

  • The object of the game is to get your ping pong ball into one of the cups of the opposing team. While there are different styles to game play and different techniques, this is the most accepted version of beer pong. Different variations will be discussed in a later section, Variations on the Game.
  1. Determine which team goes first. One member from each team faces off at the ping pong table. While looking each other in the eye, both people count to three and release the balls. If no one makes it in on the first try, the other members from the teams face off and shoot. The first team to get a ball in a cup gets to go first.11
  2. The first player of the first team attempts to toss a beer pong ball across the table into the opposing teams cups. The second player then will attempt to do the same. Once the first team has gone, the second team has their chance.12
  3. If a ball sunk into a cup, the opposing team must drink the beer in the cup and discard the cup from play.13.
  4. Some people opt to wash their ball in the water cup before each play to keep game play sanitary. This is to remove dirt that may have been picked up when the ball hit the ground.8
  • First team to get one ball in each of their opponents' cups wins!
  • Howcast: How to Play Beer Pong (Time: 2:09)

Variations on the Game

  • Over the years, several variations have emerged within the beer pong playing rules. Discuss your rules before you play the game. Here are some of the most popular changes:
  1. Rerack: Calling for a rerack means the opposing team has to reform their cups into a triangle, making it easier for the opposing team to make their shot.
    • Most people allow only one rerack per game, and sometimes, it is only allowed when there are 1, 3 or 6 cups remaining.14
  2. Rollbacks or Bring it Back: If both players on the team make their shots into a cup, they are given the ping pong ball back to have another attempt. This can go on indefinitely until one of the two players misses their shots.12
  3. Most people will allow any form of distraction as long as the method does not cross the playing field.15
  4. In some games, you are allowed to influence the ball's movement. After the ball bounces on the table or on any of the cups, swat the ball away from your cups.16
  5. If the ball circles the rim of the cup, players are allowed to interfere with the ball so it does not enter the cup.17
    • Typically, female players are allowed to blow the ball out of the cup, while male players must use their index finger to flick it out.17
  6. Beer pong has also been played with ping pong paddles. While the object is the same, the player must not hit their own cups while serving or they will have a drink penalty.18

Conclusion

References for How to Play Beer Pong

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Georgia Southern University Student Pages: How to Play Beer Pong
  2. ↑ Daily Princetonian: Princeton Style: The History of "Beirut" (November 19, 2004)
  3. ↑ New York Bar Store: Beer Pong Party Supplies
  4. ↑ Pongalong.com: Beer Pong Tables
  5. ↑ Terrapin Tables: Beer Pong Rules
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Suite101.com: How to Play Beer Pong - The Basics of Beirut Beer Drinking Game (January 29, 2008)
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Beerpong.com: Beerpong Rules
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 The Impact News: College Pastime "Beer Pong" Could Be a Haven For Fun...and Germs! (May 5, 2007)
  9. ↑ Drunk Man's Guide: How to Play Beer Pong
  10. ↑ Trajan Magazine: Beer Pong Belly (July 12, 2008)
  11. ↑ Last Cup Standing: Beer Pong - The Basics
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 WSOBP III: WSPBP III Quick Rules
  13. ↑ Official Beer Pong Table: How to Play Beer Pong
  14. ↑ Online Beer Pong: Rerack
  15. ↑ CollegeHumor.com: Best Beer Pong Distractions (December 7, 2006)
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 SoCal Beer Pong: SCBP Rules
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Everyday Drinkers: Drinking Games: Beer Pong (Beirut) (June 6, 2008)
  18. ↑ National Beer Pong League: Rules with Paddles
  19. ↑ Miami Herald: Beer Pong is Going Mainstream, Bringing Worries of Binge Drinking (April 5, 2008)  WARNING: Pop-ups