What happens if the ball hits the table but not the cans?

If the ball doesn't directly hit a can, it's just a miss and play continues with the opposing team taking their turn to throw.

Can you block the ball before it hits your cans?

Yes, but only if the ball hasn't made contact with the table or cans yet. Once it bounces off a can, defenders can't interfere.

Do you have to chug the entire beer at once when hit?

No, you only drink while the opposing team retrieves the ball, so speed matters for both teams,drink responsibly during retrieval delays!

What happens if a can falls off the table when hit?

If a can falls off the table, it's still considered in play. Set it upright back on the edge, and the team must continue to defend it.

Beer Ball - Drinking Game Rules & How to Play

Beer Ball is a drinking game in the Beer Games category for 4-8 players that takes about 20-30 min with a medium difficulty level.

Hit cans to make opponents drink

Equipment Needed

Canned beers
Ping pong balls

Setup

Set up a long table with two teams standing on opposite sides. Each team places four unopened cans of beer evenly spaced along the edge of their side of the table. Make sure every player has their own beer nearby to drink from when their team is hit, and have at least two ping pong balls ready to play. Decide which team throws first with a quick coin flip or rock-paper-scissors.

How to Play Beer Ball

Teams on opposite sides
Four cans per team on table
Throw balls at opponent cans
Hit = they drink until ball retrieved
Finish your beer = remove that can
Eliminate all cans to win
Defense is key
Fast retrieval helps

Tips & Strategies

Aim low when throwing the ball, as hitting the middle or bottom of a can makes it harder for opponents to block. Immediately sprint after the ball when it hits the can, because every second you waste means your opponents are drinking longer. Place your cans slightly apart from each other to make defending them more difficult for the opposing team. If you're defending, keep your hands low and ready to grab incoming balls,deflections off the table often fool slower players.

Variations

Chug and Switch: When one player finishes their beer, they switch sides to join the opposing team, which now tries to protect their cans with an extra player.. Double Trouble: Each team uses two ping pong balls instead of one, doubling the chaos and forcing players to split their focus between offense and defense.. Target Practice: Teams must call which specific can they're aiming for before throwing. If they hit a different can, it doesn't count and they forfeit their shot.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if the ball hits the table but not the cans?: If the ball doesn't directly hit a can, it's just a miss and play continues with the opposing team taking their turn to throw.
Can you block the ball before it hits your cans?: Yes, but only if the ball hasn't made contact with the table or cans yet. Once it bounces off a can, defenders can't interfere.
Do you have to chug the entire beer at once when hit?: No, you only drink while the opposing team retrieves the ball, so speed matters for both teams,drink responsibly during retrieval delays!
What happens if a can falls off the table when hit?: If a can falls off the table, it's still considered in play. Set it upright back on the edge, and the team must continue to defend it.

Players: 4-8 | Duration: 20-30 min | Difficulty: medium

Related Drinking Games

Edward Fortyhands — Tape 40oz beers to your hands until you finish both
Boom Cup — Fast-paced bouncing cup game
Century Club — 100 shots in 100 minutes
Power Drunk — Power hour with mini challenges
Beer Can Bowling — Bowling with beer can pins
Case Race — Team race to finish a case of beer
Beer Roulette — Shake one can and guess which explodes
Dizzy Bat — Spin on a bat then try to hit a can while dizzy

From Our Blog

Weekend Party Ideas for Non-Stop Fun — Hey there! So, you're thinking of throwing a party this weekend? Awesome choice. Weekends are prime time for gathering your friends, letting loose, and just having a blast. From old-school classics to...
House Party Tips to Elevate Your Next Bash — Throwing a house party is both an art and a science. It's about creating the right vibe, having the right activities, and making sure your guests feel like they've stepped into an unforgettable experi...
Game Spotlight: Unpacking Crowd Favorites for Your Next Party — If there's one thing that keeps a party buzzing, it's the right mix of drinking games. I've been hosting game nights for years, and nothing gets the crowd engaged quite like a well-chosen game. Whethe...

Browse more Beer Games drinking games or see all drinking games.