You wouldn’t step on a baseball diamond with the mindset of Derek Jeter if you’ve never swung a baseball bat, would you? It’s unlikely that you would step onto a football field and expect to get into the zone Tom Brady does when he throws a ball. We dream of having the talent of such players as kids, but we quickly learn that we need to know the rules before we play. The game of beer pong is no different, even though it looks simplistic in nature.

It’s more complex than it looks, so don’t think it’s all about sinking a few balls in cups filled with drafts and pilsners. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. With the help of this guide, you’ll learn the basic beer pong rules to help get you started. Once you’ve got these down and you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, you can check out these 5 crazy beer pong twists. Most importantly, this guide will give you the confidence to step into a game of beer pong and hold your own. If others are doubting your ability to play, you can prove them wrong the next time you see them!

Understanding the Setup

First, you need to learn what the game setup looks like.

Beer Pong Checklist:

• Players: Beer pong is typically played with 2-4 players. If you play with four people, it will be 2 on 2. Similarly, if it’s a two-player game, it will be 1 on 1.
• Cups: Preferably 12 ounce cups. Each team requires 6 cups and 2 additional water cups (to sanitize the ping pong balls, since they will probably hit the floor).
• Beverages/Beer: You will need two to four 12 ounce beverages per game.
• Ping Pong Balls: Of course, you’ll need a ping pong ball in order to play beer pong! However, it is advisable to keep a second or third ball handy just in case the playing ball gets lost or broken.
• Beer Pong Table: Make sure to find a beer pong table that’s durable and portable, and don’t be afraid to choose something colorful and thematic if it’s for a big game.

Your setup should look something like this:

The Cup Arrangement

Standard arrangements consist of 6 half-filled cups that form a triangle on each side. The key point to remember here is that this layout is for standard beer pong games. There are quite a few other variations that utilize different shapes, including diamond, zig-zag, and circular arrangements (as in “Ring of Fire” beer pong). Even for standard games, the number of cups can vary, such as 4 cups on each side instead of 6.

Getting the Game to a Start

Once you have the right setup and everyone is ready to play, you have to figure out who shoots the ball first. There are many ways to determine this, so get creative! Common tricks include rock, paper, scissors or coin tosses. Another way to do it is by means of a ‘staring-contest’. Of course, the team who loses eye contact first has to let the opposing team go first.

The Gameplay

Now here’s the fun part – the gameplay. This is the part you may be somewhat familiar with from watching others play. Throughout the game, you will have to toss the ping pong ball into the opposing team’s cups. At the end of each turn, players will have to drink from cups that contain the ping pong balls of their opponents.

Scoring

In addition to the gameplay, you need to remember how the scoring works since it’s one of the most important beer pong rules. Different versions will have their own rules when it comes to the score. However, in the most common version of beer pong, scoring goes as follows:

• One tossed ball that lands in a cup amounts to one drink
• A ball that bounces or was deflected and lands in a cup amounts to two drinks
• If a team throws two balls that land in the same cup, then the amount for the opposing team is three drinks

The same team keeps on going, throwing two balls per round until there is a miss. The other team throws their balls into their opposer’s cups after the turn finishes and vice-versa.

When each round finishes, opposing players must drink from a cup containing a ball. This cup is then removed. A team may decide to “re-rack” after a round – a two-time opportunity – in which they can rearrange their cups into a pattern that makes it easier to sink shots. The point of the game is to sink a ball in all cups that belong to the opposing team. The first team to do so, wins.

The Etiquette of Pong

Although not technically part of the game, player etiquette stands as another one of those beer pong rules you can’t ignore. An understanding of both acceptable and unacceptable behavior is essential if you want to get along with other pong players. A night of fun can easily turn into a nightmare when someone acts like a nuisance. Not only does it ruin the game, it ruins the reputation of that individual and they probably won’t receive any invites to play in the future. Here are some etiquette tips to considers so that you don’t offend or annoy anyone else!

Beer Pong Etiquette to Remember:

• Don’t Touch the Ball Before it Bounces – Remember, you’re playing beer pong, not football, so there’s no intercepting the ball before it bounces. You must wait for the ball to make contact with the table or land in a cup. If an opponent touches the ball before it lands or makes contact with the table, the person who shot the ball gets to go again.
• Don’t Shoot Before Drinking – Another etiquette no-no is tossing the ball before drinking. If an opponent lands a ball in your cup, you must drink from that cup before tossing your ball into theirs.
• Play Fair in General – Although a “no-brainer”, make sure to play fair in all aspects of the game. Don’t frustrate your opponents with unnecessary arguments. Even though beer pong is all about fun and good times, acting like an adult will ensure that everyone enjoys the game.

…And Those Are the Rules

The rules and etiquette listed above are the most basic beer pong rules to remember and observe. By understanding the basics of the game, you can be sure to jump in without too much difficulty. It’s fairly easy to pick up and the fun factor gets higher and higher as your skill level increases. Keep in mind that there are different styles of beer pong, so make sure you know what rules apply in each variation. No matter what style you play, make sure to play fair and remember the importance of etiquette. You don’t want your first few pong games to be your last. For now, have fun when you play – you can always improve your skills as a player with time.

Have any questions about beer pong? Email us and we can help!