Beer pong

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Beer pong

Beer Pong (also Beirut or Bier Pong ) is a drinking and skill game in which table tennis balls have to be thrown into cups. The opponent must finish every cup that has been hit by a player.

regulate

Beer Pong is usually played in 1-on-1 or 2-on-2 mode. The opposing teams each throw at a triangular formation of cups on the opposite side of the playing field. There are no official rules or a worldwide set of rules. Rather, the provisions on certain aspects of the game vary significantly. For example, the cups are triangular, but the number of cups can be 6, 10 or 15. This also depends on how long you want to play. When playing in teams of two, both players on one team always throw before the ball changes. The team that was able to hit all of the opponent's cups first is the winner.

history

Beer pong was developed in the United States between 1950 and 1960. The place of origin is Dartmouth College , a private university in New Hampshire . The exact point in time can no longer be reconstructed, but history professor Jere Daniell claims to have played Beer Pong back in 1955. Another graduate of this facility, Bob Shirley, states that the game idea came from table tennis. Spectators are said to have placed their beer mugs on the table tennis table. The idea of ​​the game then emerged from random hits in the cup. The oldest available photo of Beer Pong, however, only dates from 1968 from the college yearbook of that time. What is certain, however, is that Beer Pong emerged from table tennis . In its early days it was therefore played with table tennis bats and only one beer on each side of the field. The aim was to hit the beer bottle opposite. At the time, the game was known as Beer Pong.

Its current form of play developed in the 1970s "Delta Upsilon", when a student at the time brought the game back from a trip, but lost the ping-pong racket in the process. In order to still be able to play it, the ball was simply thrown with the hands and the game was quickly renamed "Throw Ball". Unlike the name, the game has been able to establish itself to this day.

In the 1980s, the game gained notoriety through the conflict between the United States and Lebanon , as throwing the balls into the cups could be associated with the bombing of the Americans on the Lebanese capital Beirut . Additionally, the development and proliferation of plastic cups contributed to the rapid spread of the game in America.

The unambiguous origin of the name Beirut has not yet been established or proven. One theory is directly related to the Lebanon conflict, while some private individuals also call this word creation their own, but without being able to prove it. In any case, Beer Pong got its second name Beirut in the 1980s. At least in the USA, however, a survey by CollegeHumor shows that the term “Beer Pong” is significantly more popular than “Beirut” among the more than 40,000 respondents. There are no studies in Germany on the distribution of terms. However, if you take the monthly search queries on Google as a reference, it becomes apparent that “Beer Pong” seems to be more popular than “Beirut” in this country too. Even if the terms Beer Pong and Beirut are often used synonymously, Beirut actually describes the version of the game without table tennis bats and Beer Pong the version with bats. Nowadays, however, this traditional interpretation can no longer be regarded as generally applicable, as the game is mostly played without a bat, but the term Beer Pong is more widespread.

In 2013 Beer Pong was a worldwide fun and competitive sport, which, for example, has already produced a World Series with $ 50,000 in prize money in America. This was held for the eighth time in Las Vegas in 2013 . In addition, Beer Pong is marketed by companies; among other things, individual game sets or printed throwing balls can be purchased. In addition, many tournaments are held in bars, universities and at private events.

Since 2017, Beer Pong has also been combined with the Olympic sport of golf . The new Beer Pong Golf comes from the United States and was popularized by a swarm of funding from the American branch of Kickstarter .

Course of the beer pong game

Summary Expression
Number of players 2 to 6
Construction time 3 min
Playtime 10-20 min
equipment Playing surface, cups, balls
Used drinks Beer, spirits
Skills required Accuracy, strong nerves, hand-eye coordination , concentration , ability to drink

In general, the game can be divided into four phases. In the preparatory phase, all necessary arrangements for setting up the game and the participants are taken. This is followed by the throwing and hit phase in order to determine the winner in the last phase. Beer Pong can be played in countless variations, which also influences the structure of the game. Therefore, the regulations listed here are only an exemplary but widespread way to play Beer Pong.

Phase 1: game preparation

The trend is currently moving away from very large and bulky gaming tables towards flexible and space-saving solutions with play areas, similar to how a poker fleece is used in poker . Therefore, this variant is taken into account in the game setup. The playing field varies in size from 150 cm to 244 cm. In addition, the number of cups varies between 6, 10 and 15 cups per side. This depends above all on the desired playing time, since the playing time increases with the size of the field and the increase in the number of cups. This is usually between 10 and 20 minutes. In any case, the cups are placed in a triangular arrangement on the playing surface and supplemented by a cleaning cup for the balls. There is also a center line in the middle of the playing field.

Beer pong playing area with basic formations

The cups are filled with any beverage, typically beer. The filling quantity is between 50 and 100 ml. In general, however, this can be freely determined; in practice, 1 liter is often evenly distributed on one side of the field. The game can be played as a single (1 against 1) or doubles (2 against 2). Before starting the game, a mutual agreement should be made about the rules and extensions used in order to avoid misunderstandings during the game. To determine the starting team, one player from each team throws a ball onto the opposing cups. As soon as only one of the two players hits, his team begins. If the game is played in teams of two, the players take turns in the eye-contact duel .

Phase 2: the litter

The game is played with two ping pong balls or table tennis balls. At the beginning these are owned by a team. The ball is thrown onto the cups on the opposite half of the field. The general rule here is that when you throw your elbows you must not go over the edge of the playing surface. If he exceeds this, a hit does not count and the player must throw again. If the ball is thrown without contact with the playing surface ("arcshot"), the throw may not be blocked. If a ball is played as a "bounce", two cups must be removed when hit. However, in contrast to the normal "Arcshot", the bounce can be blocked. This can be done, for example, by fending off the ball with your hand. In addition, one additional cup must be drunk per topper.

Phase 3: The hit

If neither of the two balls hits a cup, possession changes directly to the opposing team and no cups have to be drunk. When a mug hits, the opponent has to drink it and the ball changes possession. If two different cups are hit, both cups must be drunk. In addition, it can be agreed before the game whether the ball will not change in these cases and whether it is the same team's turn. If both balls are thrown into the same cup, three or four cups are to be drunk. This determines the defending team. In addition, as in the case of two hits in different cups, possession of the ball can be changed or retained depending on the agreement.

Phase 4: win the game

The winner is whoever threw off all cups on the opposing side first. Once this team has started, the opponent can still play his last round so that both teams had the same number of rounds available. If the opponent also manages to discard all of the remaining cups on this move, an extension occurs. Three cups on each side are set up in a pyramid shape and the game continues (with three new cups if necessary) until one team has thrown off the opponent's cups and the other team has not in the same number of rounds. In some interpretations of the rules, the loser has to drink all of the cups left on the table, with the exception of the cleaning cups.

Special rules and extensions

There is a very large number of special rules and expansions for a beer pong game. Therefore only a few common ones should be named here. It is customary to agree on the application of these rules before playing to avoid misunderstandings.

A special regulation allows each team to change the opposing team's cups once per game at will. The point is to increase your own probability of landing a hit.

The following are particularly popular:

  • The square (2-2),
  • The row (1-1-1-1),
  • The Hermione Four (zipper principle)
  • The Florida diamond (1-2-1)

It may also be allowed to use your finger to fish out balls that are spinning around in the mug and have not yet touched the beer or to blow them out with your mouth. Furthermore, the so-called "rollback" enables an additional throw over the back if the ball rolls back into its own half of the field and the team of the throwing player first gains possession of the ball. Furthermore, a player can pronounce that he is "hot" ("heating up") as soon as he hits two cups in a row and finally "burns" ("on fire") when the third cup is hit. If he says both at the right time, he may then throw until the first miss. There are also rule adjustments at the end of the game. After the last cup of a team has been hit, according to "Rebuttal" rules the opposing team is allowed to throw until both players have missed a cup. If they manage to throw off all the cups, the game goes into overtime. There is also a variant with a so-called “death shot”, a larger shot glass filled with a spirit that has been agreed in advance, which, if it is hit, i.e. the ball does not jump out, ends the game immediately. The team that scored wins. However, even if the game has ended normally, the “death shot” must be drunk by the losing team.

Dangers and criticism

Due to the integration of alcohol into a competitive game, many parties are critical of Beer Pong. Accordingly, Beer Pong has already been banned on campus in more than a dozen universities in America . Addiction researchers also have concerns about the glorification of alcohol consumption and the associated social problems of violence and drunk driving . In addition, the hygiene of the game is also criticized, since the ball can only be cleaned in the washing cup and as a result the risk of drinking contaminated beer is relatively high. The beer-pong industry tries to counteract these arguments with the option of non-alcoholic beverages and advice on the conscious consumption of alcohol and the emphasis on the competitive character.

Tournaments and Leagues

Beer pong tournaments are held in the United States at the local, regional, and national levels.

The World Series of Beer Pong (WSOBP) is the largest beer pong tournament in the world. WSOBP IV, held in January 2009 at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas , Nevada , had a grand prize of $ 50,000 and over 800 participants from the United States and Canada. WSOBP V, which took place in January 2010, had over 1,000 participants, including teams from Ireland, Scotland, Germany and Japan. The World Beer Pong Tour has stops in different cities and also has cash prizes.

A more common organization of beer pong games are leagues that operate at a local or regional level. Usually a group of table tennis enthusiasts form teams (partnerships) and play against each other on a weekly basis. Sometimes the leagues have websites, rankings and statistics, while others are started by students with the aim of an intra-university competition, such as B. at the University of California, Santa Barbara with the " Isla Vista Beer Pong League", and at New York University .

Media dissemination

In addition to numerous press publications, primarily in the Anglo-American region, two films have already appeared in which Beer Pong is the central element. In the documentary Last Cup: Road to the World Series of Beer Pong , some professional Beer Pong players are accompanied on their way to the second WSOBP, the largest tournament with a prize money of € 20,000 at the time.

In Road Trip: Beer Pong is a movie in which a Beer Pong Team travels around the United States.

Web links

Commons : Beer Pong  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Beer Pong Rules In: mybeerpong.de , accessed on March 4, 2020.
  2. ↑ Official tournament rules for the Beer Pong Masters In: beerpong.de , accessed on September 26, 2017.
  3. ↑ History of Beer Pong In: beerpongasia.com , accessed on September 26, 2017. (English)
  4. ↑ a b Beer Pong ( Memento from February 15, 2013 in the web archive archive.today ) cracked.com (English)
  5. ↑ Michelle Joline: Bucknell celebrates its part in the invention of beer pong In: the Bucknellian September 9, 2011, p. 11 digitized
  6. ↑ Elizabeth Reh: BC revere “ancient” tradition of Beirut ( Memento from August 17, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) bcheights.com
  7. ↑ On language, Princeton style: The history of 'Beirut' ( Memento from February 26, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) dailyprincetonian.com
  8. ↑ Beer Pong vs. Beirut ( July 1, 2007 memento in the Internet Archive ) collegehumor.com
  9. ↑ The World Series of Beer Pong I In: bpong.com , accessed on September 26, 2017. (English)
  10. ↑ Spencer McCollester, A Brief History of Beer Pong from Lebanon to Lehigh . April 22, 2008, accessed September 26, 2017. (English)
  11. ↑ Pulse Publishing GmbH: For everyone who loves beer pong and golf . In: golfpunk.de . ( golfpunk.de [accessed November 7, 2017]).
  12. ↑ a b c Beer Pong Rules - House / Party Rules . In: bpong.com , accessed September 26, 2017. (English)
  13. ↑ Beer Pong: How to play the drinking game Beer Pong. October 16, 2017, accessed May 26, 2020 .
  14. ↑ Thwock, Gulp, Kaching! Beer Pong Inspires Inventors ( Memento from July 12, 2012 in the web archive archive.today ) The Wall Street Journal (English)
  15. ↑ Kathleen Hennessey: Vegas beer pong competition gets (almost) serious . In: USATODAY.COM , January 5, 2009. 
  16. ^ "Beer pong for money, not just getting drunk," June 10, 2009, NJ.com
  17. ↑ Elex Michaelson: Big Industry Flows From Beer Pong . In: San Diego Channel 6 News . November 11, 2008. Archived from the original on February 18, 2009. Retrieved on December 12, 2008.
  18. ^ Ashley Nikole Smith: Students Create IV Beer Pong League . In: Daily Nexus ( University of California ) . April 24, 2007. Archived from the original on December 6, 2008. Retrieved July 27, 2007.
  19. ↑ Branden Kfoury: Even at chic NYU, beer pong prevails . In: Washington Square News (NYU) . November 15, 2005. Archived from the original on October 12, 2007. Retrieved July 27, 2007.
  20. ↑ CineVegas Film Festival 2008: LAST CUP: Road to the World Series of Beer Pong ( Memento from July 7, 2012 in the web archive archive.today )