How to play beer pong?
Beer Pong – also known as Beirut – is one of the most exciting and iconic party drinking games in the world. Originating from Beirut, Lebanon in the 1980s, this game has since become a favorite pastime for young adults everywhere. Whether you’re at a college party, a tailgate, or just hanging out with friends, beer pong is guaranteed fun!
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Beer Pong.
🍺 What You Need to Play
-
Table or Mat: A beer pong table, ping pong table, or any flat surface. Ideally, 8 feet x 2 feet.
-
Ping Pong Balls: Standard ping pong balls in any color.
-
Cups: 12–22 plastic 16 oz. cups (Solo or Dixie cups work great).
-
Beer or Other Beverages: Cold beer is traditional, but you can use any beverage—even root beer!
🏓 Setting Up the Table
While the original games were played on ping pong tables, beer pong can be played on almost any flat surface. For official play, use an 8 ft x 2 ft beer pong table or mat. Arrange the cups in a triangular formation at each end of the table (6 or 10 cups per side).
🥤 The Cups
16-ounce Solo cups are the standard. These cups are sturdy, easy to fill, and have measurement lines that make it simple to pour even amounts of beer. If you’re short on space or want a quicker game, you can use fewer cups or even smaller sizes.
🎯 Cup Formation
-
Standard: 10 cups in a triangle formation on each side.
-
Shorter Games: 6 cups can be used for faster play.
🎯 How to Play Beer Pong
-
Teams: Two teams of two players each.
-
Objective: Throw the ping pong ball across the table and land it in the opponent’s cups.
-
Drink Up: If the ball lands in a cup, the opposing team drinks it and removes the cup.
-
Win Condition: The first team to eliminate all of the opponent’s cups wins!
🔥 Offensive Play
-
Standard Shot: Toss the ball directly into the opponent’s cup.
-
Bounce Shot: Bounce the ball on the table before it lands in a cup. Bounce shots are worth two cups, but they can be swatted away by defenders!
🛡️ Defensive Play
-
Ball Blocking: You can swat away bounce shots but not direct shots.
-
Goaltending: Blocking a direct shot is illegal and gives the shooter another chance.
-
Psychological Defense: Trash talk or playful distractions are part of the game.
-
Fingering & Blowing: If the ball spins around the rim, men may “finger” it out, and women may “blow” it out. These techniques are tricky but legal!
🔁 Reracking
Teams are allowed one “rerack” per game. After making at least two cups, you can rearrange the remaining cups to a more favorable formation.
⚠️ Drink Responsibly!
Beer Pong is a blast, but please drink responsibly. Too much beer, especially in a short amount of time, can be dangerous. Know your limits, stay hydrated, and never be "that person."
✅ Pro Tip:
If you want the perfect setup, grab an official beer pong mat, cups, and accessories right from our store!
