Beer Pong Rules

Introduction

Beer Pong is a game that's played all around the world, and the cool thing is, the rules can change depending on where you are or who you're playing with. It's all about the "house rules" - basically, however's hosting the game gets to call the shots on how it's played. So, there's really no right or wrong. However, we want to share some of the most common rules that we think make the game extra enjoyable. As for what goes in the cups, it's your call!

Elbow

In Beer Pong, there’s a simple but important rule: keep your elbows behind the table edge when you’re shooting. If you don’t, your shot won’t count. And if you sink the ball but someone calls you out for the overreaching, you gotta step back and take another shot. This rule sparks a lot of arguments, especially since it's tough to tell sometimes if someone's elbow really went over the line.

Re-Racking

Each team gets to change up the cup arrangement twice during the game, right at the start of their turn. This move is called re-racking, racking, or reforming. You can do this at any point in the game as long as it is at the beginning of your team's turn.

Bounce

If you decide to bounce the ball off the table and it lands in a cup, even if it is by accident, that cup is out as well another cup is to be removed by the other team. If you’re trying a bounce shot, the other team can smack the ball away after it bounces. So, you gotta stay alert and ready to defend your cups at all times!

Fingering/Blowing

“Fingering” is when the defending team plucks a spinning ball out of a cup with their finger. “Blowing” is when they blow a spinning ball out of the cup. If they manage to get the ball out before it touches the drink in the cup, the cup does not count as out. But here’s the thing: some players are not too keen on this rule. It can be tough to tell if the ball hit the liquid or not. A handy trick? Check if the ball is wet or dry after it’s out. If it’s dry, it probably didn't touch the drink.

On Table Rollbacks

If, after shooting, the ball ends up rolling on the table instead of falling off, the team that threw it has a chance to grab it. This can be done either off the table or even mid-air. Once they've go the ball, they are allowed to take another shot. The catch? The person shooting has to shoot from behind his/her back. If they manage to make this shot, the cup it out.

Redemption

When the last cup gets hit, the losing team isn't out just yet. Each player on that team gets a shot at redemption. They keep taking turns hitting cups unil they miss, if they've still got any re-racks left, now's the time to use them. The game wraps up when both players miss their shots and there are still cups standing. However, if they hit all remaining cups, they push the game into overtime!

Overtime

In overtime, three cups are set back in a triangle formation. The team that was just on the brink of winning gets the first shot. Re-racks are not allowed during overtime.