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What is the drinking game where you hit the beer can?

The drinking game where you hit the beer can is commonly known as Beer Pong. Beer Pong is a popular party game that involves hitting ping pong balls into cups filled with beer that are arranged on the opposite side of a table. The game typically consists of two teams of two players each taking turns throwing ping pong balls across the table trying to land the balls in the other team’s cups. There are official rules to Beer Pong as well as many house rule variations.

History of Beer Pong

The origins of Beer Pong are widely disputed with no definitive history, however it gained huge popularity among college students in the United States in the 1970s and 1980s. The game may have evolved from earlier drinking games played with paddles and balls. The earliest known reference to the game being called “Beer Pong” is from a 1970s newspaper article about students playing Beer Pong at Bucknell University. Through the 1980s and 1990s, Beer Pong continued spreading to colleges across the country and evolved with new house rules. By the 2000s, Beer Pong was firmly established as a staple party game for college and high school students in the United States.

Basic Beer Pong Gameplay

The most common set up for Beer Pong is two teams of two players lining up on opposite sides of a standard 8 foot by 2 foot rectangle table. Each team sets up 6 to 10 plastic cups at their end of the table, usually in a triangle formation. The cups are filled with 2 to 4 ounces of beer, depending on house rules. Taking turns, each team shoots a ping pong ball attempting to land it in one of the opponent’s cups on the other side. Any cup that has a ball landed in it is removed from the table, and the opposing player must drink all the beer inside that cup. The first team to eliminate all the opponent’s cups wins the game.

Basic Beer Pong Rules

  • Each team gets 10 or 12 cups set up on their side of the table in a triangle formation
  • Cups are filled with 2 – 4 oz of beer (house rules vary)
  • Taking turns, each team shoots the ping pong ball trying to land it in a cup across the table
  • If a ball lands in a cup, that cup is removed from the table
  • The opposing player who owns the cup has to drink all the beer inside the cup
  • First team to eliminate all the other team’s cups wins

There are many additional official rules and house rules that have developed over time in Beer Pong which will be covered throughout this article.

Beer Pong Equipment

Beer Pong requires some basic equipment for gameplay. This includes:

Table

The most common Beer Pong table size is 8 feet long by 2 feet wide, however a standard ping pong table or any smooth rectangular table of similar size can be used. Tables can be custom made for Beer Pong or purchased as a dedicated Beer Pong table.

Cups

Specifically designed Beer Pong cups are available from many retailers. The most common cups are 16 ounce disposable plastic cups. However, any roughly cup-sized plastic receptacle can be used such as red solo cups.

Balls

Standard 40mm ping pong balls are ideal for game play. Occasionally Balls specifically designed for Beer Pong are used.

Beer

Almost any beer, ale or cider can be used to fill the cups. Popular choices are cheap American lagers like Bud Light or Natural Light with low alcohol content. Some players prefer using water instead of beer.

Beer Pong Team Setup

Beer Pong is designed for two teams of two players. Teams stand at opposite ends of the table. Player 1 and Player 3 stand at one end, with Player 2 and Player 4 at the opposite end. Players directly across from each other are opponents.

Beer Pong Player Setup Diagram

Player 1 Player 2
Table
Player 3 Player 4

This player numbering is important for determining the shooting order and which opponents’ cups are targeted.

Beer Pong Cup Formation

The cups are arranged at each end of the table in a specific formation, usually a triangle. There are two standard formations used:

10 Cup Formation

The most common formation is the 10 cup triangle using 4-3-2-1 cups on each level. The triangle points towards the opposing team.

6 Cup Formation

A faster paced game uses just 6 cups in a diamond 1-2-2-1 formation. This speeds up the game significantly.

Beer Pong Shooting Rules

Shooting etiquette and rules are important beer pong elements. There are a few standard shooting rules:

  • Players shoot from behind the end of the table, within reason. Players cannot run up and slam dunk balls in.
  • One hand only shooting. Players cannot use two hands to aid shooting accuracy.
  • Elbows cannot pass the edge of the table. Players lean over the table to shoot but elbows must stay on their side.
  • Players have two shots per turn if both miss. If a player sinks a cup on the first throw, they do not get a second shot.
  • Players must finish their drink before shooting again. This prevents rapid fire shooting.

These shooting rules help enforce etiquette and fair gameplay.

Beer Pong Turns and Shooting Order

Teams take turns shooting one player at a time in a specific order:

  1. Player 1 shoots first
  2. Player 2 shoots next
  3. Then Player 3
  4. Followed by Player 4
  5. Repeat the player order until the game ends

The shooting order remains the same even as players are removed by sinking cups. For example, if Player 2 sinks Player 4’s cup and Player 4 has to drink, Player 3 would shoot next instead of Player 4.

Beer Pong Scoring and Winning

The standard way to win Beer Pong is to be the first team to eliminate all of the opponent’s cups from the table. The team that sinks the last cup wins the game. However, there are some alternative scoring methods used:

Points Scoring

Each cup a team sinks is worth 1 point. First team to reach a target score (often 7 or 10 points) wins.

‘Re-racking’ Rule

If a team sinks 4+ cups in a single turn, the opposing team has the option to rearrange the remaining cups into the original formation. This helps teams from getting eliminated too quickly.

Mercy Rule

If one team reaches a point where they mathematically cannot catch up, the losing team can end the game early.

These alternative scoring rules keep the game competitive and allow for comebacks.

Refilling Cups During Beer Pong

There are a few standard rules about refilling cups during gameplay:

  • Sunk cups are removed fully from the table
  • Cups are refilled in between each turn
  • If a team has 2 or less cups left, cups are not refilled (house rules vary)
  • Any beer spilled or left over in removed cups is not consumed

These rules help keep the game progressing smoothly and prevent excessive drinking.

Reracking: Allowed or Not?

‘Reracking’ refers to the trailing team rearranging their remaining cups into the original starting formation. House rules differ on whether reracking is allowed:

  • No Reracking – Cups stay where they are after being sunk. Trailing teams must shoot for remaining cups in position.
  • Limited Reracking – Trailing teams can rerack a certain number of times, like once per game.
  • Unlimited Reracking – Teams can rerack as many times as they want during a game.

Reracking benefits the trailing team but slows down gameplay. Most house rules allow 1 or 2 reracks per game maximum.

Beer Pong Distractions and Interference

Since Beer Pong is a highly competitive game, teams often employ distraction or interference tactics against opponents shooting. Common distractions include:

  • Trash talking opponents
  • Waving hands in opponent’s face
  • Blowing air at the ball mid-flight
  • Slamming hands or objects on the table
  • Eye contact with the shooter

Excessive distractions that make shooting impossible can be poor sportsmanship. Most players tolerate minor distractions as part of the game.

Beer Pong Tournament Play and Strategy

Beer Pong tournaments are a hugely popular event, especially at colleges and bars. Winning tournament strategy includes:

  • Practice throwing accurately into the cups for hours
  • Develop unique distractions to disrupt opponents
  • Learn professional level re-rack formations
  • Drink responsibly during early rounds
  • Analyze opponents’ shots and weaknesses

Top Beer Pong players become incredibly accurate at sinking shots into cups and can dominate opponents. Teamwork, communication and analyzation skills are also vital in tournament play.

Beer Pong Alternatives and Variations

While traditional Beer Pong with beer is the most popular format, many alternate versions have been created over the years:

Water Pong

Uses water in cups instead of beer for non-alcoholic play.

Island Pong

Floating cups in a inner pool in the table with a high rim to shoot over.

Beirut

Uses 3 cups per side instead of 10 and table-edge shots are worth 3 cups.

Base Pong

Shooter stays at the table while their partner shoots from the base line.

Civil War

Four player free-for-all version.

The creativity of Beer Pong players has led to endless variations and rule sets for competitive and fun gameplay.

Popularity and Impact of Beer Pong

Beer Pong has had an enormous influence on drinking game culture, especially at colleges in America. Reasons for its popularity and impact include:

  • Simple to learn – easy to grasp rules and gameplay
  • Social experience – promotes teamwork and bonding
  • Competitive – fast paced competitive format
  • Fun drinking element – beer as a penalty for misses
  • TV/Movies – frequent portrayal in media boosted its popularity
  • Beer brands – successful marketing and sponsorship by beer brands

While Beer Pong has its critics who see it as promoting binge drinking, there is no denying its impact and massive rise from dorm room pastime to globally recognized party sport and drinking game.

Beer Pong Culture and Community

Over the decades, a bustling Beer Pong culture and community has developed. This includes:

  • Enthusiast websites – Sites like bpong.com connecting millions of Beer Pong lovers
  • Tournaments – Large tournaments like the World Series of Beer Pong and regional tours
  • Apparel/gear – T-shirts, custom tables, balls and gear for devotees
  • Official Rules – Standardized rule books for consistent tournament play
  • Brands – Beer brands embrace and promote Beer Pong in marketing
  • Celebrities – Many celebrities and athletes openly enjoying Beer Pong

The Beer Pong community keeps growing year after year as new generations discover the classic party game.

Beer Pong Tactics and Strategy Tips

Some key Beer Pong tactics and strategies for improving your gameplay include:

  • Practice bank shots into cups – curve shots off the far side wall
  • Throw overhand for accuracy – use fingertip grip and snap wrist
  • Aim for cups in the back row first – hardest for opponent to make
  • Perfect redeems when behind – sink opponent’s sunk balls
  • Use distraction tactics – fake throws, noises, hand waves
  • Go on the offensive – target weaker opponent shooter first
  • Control the tempo – slow down or speed up shots to get opponent off rhythm

Mastering these and other skills and tactics separates the great Beer Pong players from the average.

Safety Tips for Playing Beer Pong

Because Beer Pong involves fast paced drinking, it’s important to keep safety in mind:

  • Use low alcohol beer – avoid high ABV beers and liquor
  • Eat food – line your stomach before starting play
  • Hydrate during game – alternate drinks with water
  • Set drink limit per player – maximum of X drinks
  • Know alcohol limits – don’t go past personal tolerance
  • Stop game before drunk – if any player becomes impaired
  • Don’t drive – have a designated driver or take a rideshare

Following basic safety tips ensures Beer Pong stays fun for everyone involved.

Conclusion

Beer Pong has cemented itself as one of the most iconic drinking games in America. The simple concept of tossing balls into cups of beer has captured the hearts of millions since the 1970s. Today Beer Pong is a pop culture phenomenon, with official tournaments, gear, apparel and even celebrity fans. Underneath it all, Beer Pong remains a lively social experience bringing friends together. The game continues evolving with new house rules and variations being invented all the time. Clearly this classic party game has staying power for decades more fun.