Drinking game classic

Beer Pong: Rules, Setup and How to Play

Beer Pong is the party classic from the USA. Two teams take turns throwing table-tennis balls into the opponents' cups.

Two teams throw toward six-cup Beer Pong triangles
Players
2 to 4
Duration
10 to 20 minutes
What you need
Cups, table-tennis balls, drinks, a table
Vibe
Aiming, cheering, hyping

Rules

Beer Pong in 4 steps

Get Luminary on the App StoreGet Luminary on Google Play

If a ball lands, the cup that was hit is drunk and taken away. Whoever hits all the opposing cups first wins.

  1. Set up the teams

    Two teams face off across the table, each with a triangle of cups in front of them.

  2. Throw in turns

    Each team gets two throws per round, one per person. The aim is to land the ball in an opposing cup.

  3. Hit means drink

    If a ball lands in a cup, the team that was hit drinks that cup and takes it away.

  4. Winning

    Whichever team hits all the opposing cups first wins. The losing team drinks the remaining cups.

Variations

  • Rebuttal: if a team hits the last cup, the other team gets one more throw to level things out.
  • Re-rack: once you're down to a few cups, a team may bunch the cups closer together once.
  • Without alcohol: fill the cups with water or juice. A cup that's hit still gets finished off.

Tips for your round

  • Don't wet the balls too much, or they slip.
  • A calm arcing throw usually lands better than a hard shot.

FAQ

Beer Pong FAQ

How many cups do you need for Beer Pong?
Six or ten cups per side is common, set up in a triangle. The more cups, the longer the game takes.
How many players play Beer Pong?
Two to four people. You play one on one or two on two, with one throw per person and round.
Can you bounce the ball?
In many groups a bounced ball counts double, but the opponent is allowed to swat it away. Agree before the game whether you play with bounces.
Can you play Beer Pong without alcohol?
Yes. Just fill the cups with water or juice. The aiming fun stays the same.
How long does a game of Beer Pong take?
A typical game of Beer Pong takes 10 to 20 minutes. Group size and optional variations can make the round shorter or longer.

More games

A Luminary mode for your phone plus more classics for your game night.

Bring the party game that runs the whole night

Choose decks, add your group, and start with 11,000+ questions and challenges across five formats. Free for iOS and Android, with no ads and offline play.

Get Luminary on the App StoreGet Luminary on Google Play