The Ultimate Guide to Beer Pong Rules

<p>Beer pong is THE party game. If you want to win more often (and maybe show off a little), you need to know the rules inside and out.</p> <h2>What You Need</h2> <ul> <li>20 solo cups (10 per side)</li> <li>2 to 4 ping pong balls</li> <li>A long table (8 feet works great)</li> <li>Beer or whatever you want to drink</li> <li>Water cups for rinsing balls</li> </ul> <h2>Setting Up</h2> <p>Put 10 cups in a triangle on each end of the table. Point of the triangle faces your opponent. Fill each cup about one third full. Keep a water cup on the side for cleaning off the balls.</p> <h2>How to Play</h2> <p>Each team gets two shots per turn (one per player if playing doubles). Throw the ball and try to sink it in a cup. When you make it, the other team drinks that cup and removes it from the table.</p> <h3>Bounce Shots</h3> <p>If you bounce the ball off the table and it goes in, it counts as two cups. But here is the catch: the defending team can swat it away once it bounces. High risk, high reward.</p> <h3>Re-Racks</h3> <p>Each team gets to ask for a re-rack twice per game. The other team rearranges your remaining cups into a tighter formation. Most people save these for when they are down to 4 or 3 cups.</p> <h3>Heating Up and On Fire</h3> <p>Make two in a row and you announce "heating up." Make a third and you are "on fire" and keep shooting until you miss. This can swing games fast.</p> <h2>Winning the Game</h2> <p>Sink all 10 of their cups and you win. The losing team has to drink whatever is left on the winning side. Some houses play redemption where the losing team gets one last chance to force overtime.</p> <h2>Tips to Get Better</h2> <ul> <li>Find a consistent throwing motion and stick with it</li> <li>Aim for the back cups first since they are easier to hit</li> <li>Stay relaxed and do not overthink your shots</li> <li>Drink water between games so you stay sharp</li> </ul> <p>For variations on the classic game, check out <a href="/games/civil-war">Civil War</a> for chaotic 3v3 action or <a href="/games/chandelier">Chandelier</a> for a group twist.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.bpong.com/official-rules/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Series of Beer Pong</a> has standardized tournament rules if you want to go pro.</p> <p>Practice a few games and you will be running the table in no time. Ready to host a tournament? Check out <a href="/blog/how-to-throw-beer-olympics">how to throw a Beer Olympics</a>.</p>