Setup: 

• Gather a sturdy table, typically around 8 feet in length, and set it up in a spacious area.
• Place cups in a triangular formation at each end of the table. Traditionally, there are 10 cups arranged in a pyramid shape, with 4 cups at the base, 3 cups in the middle row, and 2 cups at the top. Fill each cup with an equal amount of beverage of choice. 😉
• Each team stands behind their respective end of the table.

Teams:

• Form two teams, with each team consisting of two players. Players from the same team stand on the same side of the table.

Deciding who goes first:

• In the first game of the evening, the initial shot is determined through a game of “eye-to-eye.” A player from each team takes a shot while maintaining eye contact with their opponent. If they both hit or both miss, their teammates take the next shots. This back-and-forth continues until one player scores while the other doesn’t. The hit cup remains in place and the ball is retrieved and returned to the team that scored the point. In later games, the winner of the previous match takes the first shot. If teams change or the winner leaves, it’s “eye-to-eye” time again to pick the starting player.

Gameplay:

• The starting team selects one player to take the first shot. This player throws a ping pong ball at the opposing team’s cups with the goal of landing it inside one of them.
• If the ball lands in a cup, the opposing team must drink the contents of that cup and remove it from the table.
• The defending team then retrieves the ball and takes their turn shooting at the other team’s cups.
• This alternating pattern continues until all of one team’s cups are eliminated.

Shots:

• Players take turns shooting one ball per turn. They can either aim directly for a cup or attempt to bounce the ball into a cup.
• If a ball bounces on the table before landing in a cup and the opposing team doesn’t swat it away, it counts as two cups.
• Players must shoot the ball from behind the edge of the table. Violating this rule results in the opposing team being allowed to swat the ball away.

Cup Elimination:

• When a ball successfully lands in a cup, the defending team removes the cup from the table and drinks its contents.
• Once a cup is eliminated, it is not replaced, and the game continues with the remaining cups.

Reformation:

• If cups are knocked out of position during gameplay, they should be reformed according to their original arrangement before the game continues. Teams are allowed one “rearrangement” per game, where they can request to reform their cups to a desired arrangement.

Winning:

• The game continues until one team successfully eliminates all of the opposing team’s cups.
• The team that eliminates all of the opposing team’s cups wins the game.

Optional Rules:

• Some players incorporate additional rules, such as “island” cups (cups left with no adjacent cups) being removed if a ball lands in them, or “naked mile” penalties for the losing team.
• It’s essential to agree on any additional rules before starting the game to ensure fairness and clarity.

Responsibility:

• It’s important to play beer pong responsibly and in moderation. Make sure all players are of legal drinking age and encourage responsible drinking habits. If anyone feels uncomfortable or intoxicated, they should refrain from further participation.

Have Fun:

• Beer pong is a social game meant to be enjoyed with friends. Focus on having fun, creating memorable experiences, and fostering friendly competition.
• Remember to always drink responsibly and prioritize safety while playing beer pong or any other drinking game.