Kids who are in their late teens and young adults in their early 20′s are the face of the beer pong playing public. 

If you look at the public perception of beer pong, it’s easy to see how people think it’s a lurid affair full of shenanigans and tomfoolery. However, if you choose to focus on the cultural caricature of beer pong, you’ll miss out on a genuinely fun and competitive party game. So how can a host who wants to harness the fun of a beer pong table keep the rest of the party in line? No one wants to be a Negative Nancy and rain on everyone else’s parade. Luckily, there are ways to capture all of the excitement and enjoyment of beer pong without having to go overboard. When you’re hosting an event with a custom beer pong table present, then you can help guide your guests along a more moderate path. Ideally, you would like your guests to be discussing how much fun they had the next morning, not clutching their heads and bemoaning poor decisions. Here are a few tips and tricks that keep the entertainment of beer pong without any of the more extreme stereotypes that can accompany it.

What Are the Accessories That Ensure My Gathering Goes Smoothly?

Every host worth their salt knows that having the right equipment on hand is mandatory if you want everything to go smoothly and without incident. The first thing that you need is a portable beer pong table that can withstand the stresses of multiple frantic rounds of beer pong. Having this table, along with cups, ping pong balls, and adequate room to play is the bare minimum. After that, you can acquire some accessories that will help keep things from spinning out of control. This list includes:

• A large supply of water. If you’re caught up in the fun of beer pong, you can end up consuming a few too many drinks. Hangovers are a result of alcohol dehydrating your system and constricting blood vessels. Water can help fight back against these effects by rehydrating your system. A good rule of thumb is to drink a glass of water for every drink you take. You’ll stay hydrated and healthy, so you can continue to compete into the wee hours of the night.
• Lots of comfortable places to sit and a couple of small alternate games arranged. Players should be able to opt in and opt out as the night goes on. A guest who has taken a break will often turn in a much stronger performance at the beer pong table. If you set up a table with a couple of small card games or alternate ways for guests to entertain themselves, then they can take a break from beer pong and come back sharp and ready to compete.
• A list of nighttime bus routes, taxi company numbers, and walking routes home. Driving home after beer pong is a terrible idea. Having a variety of safe and straightforward ways to get home is a great idea. If guests aren’t fond of the idea of paying taxi fare or walking alone at night, an impromptu sleepover might be a good solution.

What Other Steps Can I Take to Keep the Beer Pong Table a Safe Place?

Once you’ve gone ahead and gotten these accessories lined up, you can take a few other steps to help keep guests feeling comfortable no matter their background or personal preferences. By following these steps you cut down on the chance for any incidents and ensure that people don’t feel uncomfortable or pressured. After all, the best matches of beer pong are the ones where everyone is unstressed and focused on having fun!

Offer Low (Or No) Alcohol Alternatives for Guests

Sometimes beer can be a bit heavy for guests. Remember, everyone has different levels of alcohol tolerance. What seems ‘right’ to you can be a little much for someone else. Therefore, a host can have a couple of alternatives on hand. There are ciders that have a lower alcohol percentage and a lighter, sweeter taste. For a totally non-alcoholic version, try out root beer or Coke.

Sip, Don’t Chug! Take Your Time With Every Drink

One mistake that a lot of people make is drinking their alcoholic beverage way too fast. When you chug a drink down as fast as possible, even a light drink can hit you like a truck. While part of the appeal of beer pong is how fast the action moves, encourage players to drink at the pace they are comfortable with. After all, you’re there to have fun, and if you accidentally fail to pace yourself, you won’t be able to toss a ball (or even stand!)

Encourage Players to Moderate Their Trash Talk

Let’s be honest – part of the appeal of a competitive game like beer pong is trash talking the opposite team. While this is part of the spirit of the game, remember that it is possible to go too far. If you’ve had a couple of drinks, sometimes the line between acceptable and rude can blur slightly. This is especially true if you have people meeting for the first time across the table. Keep the mood lighthearted so that no one’s night is ruined by having to deal with hurt feelings.

When you bust out your custom beer pong table and call friends over, you have all of the ingredients for a great time. However, enjoying yourself responsibly is also important. At All American Tailgate, we encourage you to make the most of the night by following the aforementioned tips. If you’ve arranged the above logistics and are ready to rock except for having the perfect table, then visit our site and check out our selection of portable beer pong tables. Once you’ve acquired this key accessory, you can prepare for an awesome night of fast paced action and fun!