Beerpong – A bluffer’s guide By Gavin Nolan

Introduction Origins of the game Setup and Rules Trickshots The World Series of Beer Pong (WSOBP)

Origins Beerpong ( also known as Beirut ) evolved from the original beer pong played with paddles which started within the fraternities of Dartmouth College in the 1950s and 1960s. The original version resembled an actual ping pong game with a net and one or more cups of beer on each side of the table Eventually, a version without paddles was created, and later the names Beer Pong and Beirut were adopted in some areas of the USA sometime in the 1980s.

Setup Normally played with two players on each team. Typically played on ping pong or kitchen tables, but any flat surface will do. 16-ounce plastic cups ( either 6 or 10 ) are arranged in a triangle pointing towards the opposing team. A wash cup is also included on either side. Cups are filled with beer and/or liquor, but water can also be used. For non-drinkers, the game may be played without beer, as is done at Utah State University, where alcohol is not allowed on campus.

Rules Traditionally, the game of beer pong has been played by countless variations of rule sets. In recent years, organizations such as The World Series of Beer Pong have put forth "official" rules These are some of the widely accepted rules….. Each team then takes turns attempting to shoot ping pong balls into the opponent's cups. If a ball lands in a cup, then the contents of that cup are consumed by the other team, and the cup is removed. If a ball bounces off the table and lands in a cup, two cups are consumed. Opposing players can swat away any “bounce shots”. Successful trickshots ( i.e. shots off of walls, shots with eyes closed, etc. ) mean three cups are consumed. Re-racking" (also known as "reforming", "rearranging", "consolidation", and other names), which is a rearrangement of a team's remaining cups after some have been removed. Usually teams are only allowed one per game. The first side to eliminate all of the opponent's cups is the winner.

World Series of Beer Pong (WSOBP) The World Series of Beer Pong (WSOBP) is the largest Beer pong tournament in the world in number of participants and cash prizes offered. It has been held close to or in Las Vegas since January, 2006 507 teams from all over the world competed in the most recent tournament ( WSOBP VI ). Teams can gain pay an entrance fee or can qualify through regional tounaments. WSOBP VI was won by the “Standing Ovation” team. Team members Dan Range from Illinois and Nick Syrigos from Missouri won a first prize of $ 50,000.

Thank You