Beer pong is the popular diversion among, of course, beer drinkers. You attempt to shoot a ping pong ball into one of your opponent’s six (or ten) cups of beer on the other end of the table. If your ball lands into the cup, you take away the cup of your opponent and drink the beer. The first team who eliminates all of the cups emerges as the winner — and probably will be the most drunk!
Beer pong has an intriguing and slightly disputed history. Often described as a sport, the game has its roots in American college culture, where participants test their accuracy and endurance while consuming alcoholic beverages. Since its inception, beer pong has grown in popularity and is now a staple feature at parties, social gatherings, and even organized events.
Origins of Beer Pong
Early Beginnings
Beer pong, also known as Beirut, is a popular drinking game in which players throw a ping pong ball across a table with the intent of landing the ball in a cup of beer on the other end.
The origins of beer pong can be traced back to the 1950s and 1960s, with its roots deeply interwoven into the American college culture. The game usually involved ping pong paddles and was played on a ping pong table, with cups of beer placed on the table during the gameplay.
Dartmouth College Influence
Dartmouth Hall was reconstructed in 1906.
The origin of beer pong is often attributed to Dartmouth College, an Ivy League institution. Supposedly, Dartmouth frat brothers were the ones who first introduced the game into the party scene. The initial version of the game, known as “Dartmouth Pong,” involved using paddles and balls like traditional ping pong, but with a twist: players aimed for cups filled with beer.
Over time, the paddles were dropped from the game, giving rise to the modern version of beer pong we know today, which involves players tossing the ping pong balls directly into their opponents’ cups.
Lebanon Connection
An interesting aspect of beer pong’s history is the name “Beirut,” which is another name commonly used for the game. This name is believed to have originated from Lehigh University in the 1980s.
At the time, the capital of Lebanon, Beirut, was experiencing heavy conflict, and many American students connected the game to the city due to its chaotic nature. Today, the name Beirut is still commonly used in some regions, alongside the more traditional name, beer pong.
Evolution of Rules
From Paddles to Throw Pong
The history of beer pong dates back to the late 1950s at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. Initially, the game was played with paddles and has since evolved to the popular throw pong version we know today.
The transition from using paddles to simply throwing the ball has marked a significant change in the gameplay and rules. In earlier versions, players would use paddles to hit the ping pong ball towards their opponents’ cups, whereas today, players directly throw the ball, aiming to sink it into their opponents’ beer-filled cups.
World Series of Beer Pong Regulations
The World Series of Beer Pong (WSOBP) is an annual tournament that features standardized rules. Participants from around the world compete for the championship title and prize money.
Some key WSOBP rules include:
- 10-cup triangle formation on each side of the table
- No leaning over the table during a shot
- No “blowing” or “fingering” to remove the ball from a cup
- “Rollback” feature: if both team members sink their shots, they get the balls back
- “Bounce shots” count as two cups; the defending team has the option to swat away bounce shots
- “Redemption”: a team has a chance to rebuttal if their opponent sinks the last cup
- “Overtime”: if both teams finish with the same number of cups, a 3-cup overtime is played.
These standardized rules create a consistent and fair playing field for all participants.
House Rules and Variations
In casual games among friends, players often establish house rules, which can lead to many variations of the game.
Some common house rules include:
- Different cups formations, such as a diamond or square
- “Re-racking” the cups at a certain point during the game
- Allowing specific “trick shots” or “celebrity shots”
- Alternate redemption rules, such as allowing multiple attempts or limiting redemptions to one player
- Including different types of penalties, such as drinking additional cups or performing a challenge.
Equipment and Setup
Standard Beer Pong Tables
A beer pong table is typically a flat surface that measures about 8 feet long and 2 feet wide. The ideal height should be around 27.5 inches, making it comfortable for players to lean over and throw the balls. In the beginning, players would use any long and sturdy table, but now there are specific tables available designed for beer pong games.
Types of Cups and Balls
Beer pong requires the use of plastic cups and ping pong balls. The standard setup involves two teams, each with either 6 or 10 cups arranged in a triangle formation. Cups should be filled with beer or an alternative liquid. The amount should be about 1/4 to 1/3 full, depending on the players’ preference.
Ping pong balls are lightweight and the perfect size for the game, making them the ideal choice.
The Importance of Water
Water plays a crucial role in beer pong for cleanliness and player hydration. It’s essential to have a separate water cup to clean the ping pong balls during the game. This prevents the balls from becoming sticky or dirty, ensuring a better playing experience for everyone.
Additionally, providing water for players to drink helps maintain hydration during the game, as alcohol can cause dehydration over time.
To set up the game:
- Place the beer pong table on a flat surface with ample space for players to maneuver.
- Arrange the plastic cups in a triangle formation on each side of the table, with the point facing the opposing team.
- Fill the cups with the desired liquid (usually beer) about 1/4 to 1/3 full.
- Assign players to teams and determine the order of play.
Beer Pong as a Competitive Sport
Tournaments and Championships
Beer pong has evolved from a simple party game to a competitive sport with annual tournaments and championships offering cash prizes. The World Series of Beer Pong is a well-known event where enthusiasts gather to compete for substantial cash prizes. Organized by BPong.com, the competition has gained recognition across America.
Lehigh University’s Role
Lehigh University, situated in Pennsylvania, played a significant role in popularizing beer pong as a competitive sport. As the game spread through university culture, it transformed from a casual drinking contest to a serious competition. Lehigh students competed fiercely to establish themselves as the top players, and the game even earned a nickname, “Beirut”.
Global and Online Expansion
The growth of beer pong transcended college campuses and expanded to global tournaments and online platforms. In a show of international support, the US Marines stationed overseas have also taken part in beer pong competitions to foster camaraderie. Sports enthusiasts can now participate in virtual beer pong games, thanks to the rise of online platforms. This progression in the beer pong domain attests to its remarkable evolution as a part of American culture.
Cultural Impact
College and Fraternity Scene
Beer pong has had a significant impact on the college and fraternity scene across the United States. The game is often played at college parties, especially in fraternities. Fraternity brothers and their guests bond over the easy-to-understand yet strategic gameplay. The camaraderie created through this competitive atmosphere has made beer pong a staple at these events.
In addition to college parties, beer pong is commonly seen in tailgating events and other gatherings on college campuses. The game is often played to fill the downtime before and after sporting events, with participants setting up makeshift tables and cups to mimic the game’s standard layout.
Mainstream Recognition and Media
The popularity of beer pong has spread beyond college campuses, eventually earning mainstream recognition and media coverage. Several films and television shows have portrayed the game, further solidifying its status as a well-known party activity. This exposure has helped bring the game to the attention of a wider audience, contributing to its ongoing popularity.
Moreover, the emergence of the World Series of Beer Pong has further cemented the game’s status. The tournament attracts players from around the world and boasts a large cash prize, demonstrating the game’s lasting appeal and widespread enthusiasm.
Related Games and Activities
Variations on Beer Pong
Over the years, several variations of beer pong have emerged to provide players with different experiences and challenges. One such variation is the paddle game, which involves using ping-pong paddles to hit the ball into cups. This style has its roots in the original beer pong, where players used paddles to play the game.
Another popular variation is the throw game, also known as Beirut, where players throw the ball directly into the cups instead of using paddles. Beirut became more popular in the US and finally replaced the paddle version, becoming the game we know today as beer pong.
Beer Pong’s Influence on Other Games
Beer pong has a long history that can be traced back to ancient Greek times, where a game called kottabos was played. Participants tossed the remnants of their wine into a small cup, aiming to hit a target, not unlike modern beer pong. Other games that resemble beer pong are billiards and darts, which require players to accurately aim and hit targets, as well as a level of strategy and skill.
The popularity of beer pong has also led to the creation of alternative games played on a traditional ping-pong table. For example, speed pong is a fast-paced version of beer pong, where multiple balls are in play simultaneously, and players race to complete their formations before the opponents.
Alcohockey and the Rise of Hybrid Games
Beer pong’s popularity has inspired the creation of other cross-genre games like alcohockey. Alcohockey combines elements of air hockey and beer pong.
In alcohockey, players use a traditional air hockey table, but with cups of beer placed in circular cutouts on each end. The objective is to slide the puck into the opponent’s cups, following a similar set of rules of beer pong.
The blending of beer pong with other popular games demonstrates how beer pong has inspired new ways of socializing. The various games and activities related to beer pong showcase its rich history, broad appeal, and adaptability, making it a favorite among casual and competitive players alike.