For many of us, Beer pong is not just a game, it is a way of life. We look forward to those moments with friends, and the crazy nights that follow.
The rules are simple, but the game requires a lot of skill. There are officially beer pong tournament rules out. However, one of the beer ponng tournaments we saw were about the sport more than the fun. We like the fun, so here’s our Backyard Games Unofficial Beer Pong Rules that we actually play at our house.
According to an Instagram study from CollegeStats, Beer Pong is the most popular college party game. That doesn’t mean that beer pong isn’t extremely popular outside of college life too. 33% of drinking game posts are about beer pong. That’s why we included beer pong in the top 15 outdoor drinking games too.
Before we tell you the official rules, we wanted to tell you about the code of conduct or pong ethics that you should follow and strictly enforce.
Beer Pong Code of Conduct:
- Fun is your number one priority, so include everyone.
- Trash talking is not just allowed, it is encouraged.
- Ladies are allowed lean and throw closer (especially with low cut shirts).
- Guests shots are permitted for struggling players.
- Make sure to wash your balls and cups and a regular basis (with soap).
- Make sure you play with at least a rack (we are not animals).
How to Play Beer Pong, House Rules:
It is best played on an 8-foot table which is ideal for bounces, but play with whatever you have. We created a rule sheet for you to print off and carry, with full explanations and beer pong rules below.

How to Setup Beer Pong
Beer pong is a simple game to setup and be the hit of every party. All you need is 20 red solo cups, a table to play on, a few ping pong balls, some friends, and a few dozen beers.
You can get a beer pong game for under $15. It’s important to have a beer pong rack to keep a tight cup formation, beer pong racks ensure this. Showing up with your beer pong table and accessories will truly make you the hero of any party!
Here is how you setup for Beer Pong:
- Set up the 10 cups on each side in a pyramid (or triangle) with the top peak facing your competitors. The cups must be centered on the back of the table and must not be titled or leaned up against any other cups.
- Fill each cup up with beer to the red line, so it has approximately 1/5 full. You will want just enough to add weight, so they do not get tipped over. This will be 2 beers per team. (Optional: we use water and take a drink from our beer can. That way your been isn’t contaminated by the ball)
- Have a clean water cup handy you use to clean the balls between shots.
- The game is best played on an 8-foot table. Here are some suggestions for awesome beer pong setups below.

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How to Decide who Throws First in Beer Pong
To decide which team throws first, you can either play rock scissors paper for it, or throw for it. We like to personally throw for it. Each team rotates 1 throw each trying to land in only the front cup. This rotates between players, between teams, until someone lands in it. That team throws first.
Take note which team throws first. The other team gets a last opportunity to throw, if they sink the ball in the cup, then the round resets. Throwing commencing until the other team misses to choose the team that gets to throw first.
Beer Pong Throwing Distance Rules
Beer Pong Throwing Distance Rules
The elbow rules means that your elbow can not cross the front of the table or line when shooting. This is a hard rule to enforce. It’s normally the only rule that is argued over and can be hard to judge. Therefore, we typically play at a further distance, because let’s face it we all like to lean a little. You can account for this when setting up your throwing distance, and let people lean away.
2 Shots Each Per Team
Backyard Games rules are the same, however if you sink the ball, you get to continue to throw the balll until you miss. This means if one partner misses, the other team gets their ball, but the partner who sinks a shot gets the ball back and gets to keep throwing.
How to Shoot
Drink where the ball lands
Bounce Shot Counts as Doubles
No Blocking or Interfering
If a player knocks over one or more of their cups, it is counted as sunk and must be removed from the table. For multiple cups of 3 or more the other team may be nice, not required, but may let you refill them and add certain cups to the rack. Of course, penalty drinks will be awarded.
Blowing is allowed (no fingering)
It sounds complicated, but happens several times a game and is awesome when you do this! Be careful, if you don’t blow hard enough, it might land in another cup. If it does, you drink both.
The fingering rule is grabbing the spinning ball on the rim before it plops in. We don’t like to suggest this rule. This is because many times people knock over the cup, or grab it once it touches the liquid. If you are good enough at blowing you shouldn’t have to finger it. ?
Re-Racking
How to Win Beer Pong: Redemption Rule

3-Cup Overtime
The team that would have won if their opponents had not hit the redemption shot, get to start. Same rules apply as the redemption round one when team finishes, the other team gets 1 shoot till they miss each. If any cups are remaining, the game is over.
The House has Final Say
If you are hosting a beer pong tournament, you will need to display these rules up front and have a judge. If you know of an fun, new, or innovative rules please make sure to share them below!
Beer Pong Variations
You do not need to wait until night or be stuck indoors when there are lots of different Beer Pong Accessories and Games to play outside. This might even be a great camping addition. There is Giant Pong, Floating Pong, Mini Pong, and Elevated Pong.