Beer Pong Game Rules

1. Basic Rules

1.1 Team

A team consists of 2 players (Sp.A1 & Sp.A2). There are always 2 teams playing against each other (Team A (Sp.A1 & Sp.A2) against Team B (Sp.B1 & Sp.B2)).

1.2 Playing equipment

Standard table tennis balls (= balls) are used as playing equipment, as well as 10 plastic cups (= cups) with a capacity of 0.5l per team.

1.3 Table & Markings

A table is 240 cm long and 60 cm wide. At each of the narrow ends 2 triangles are marked, in which holders ( = racks) are positioned in order to set up the cups correctly.

1.4 Starting position of the cups

Before starting, all 10 cups are to be placed in the triangle within the marking, using the racks provided, starting with 4, then 3, then 2 and finally 1. All cups are filled with water.

1.5 Types of throwing

Basically, a difference is made between Air Shot and Bounce Shot.

1.5.1 Air Shot

The ball is thrown directly at a cup. The opposing team is not allowed to defend the ball (e.g. by hitting it away). If the ball is touched above the table (especially above the cups), this is counted as a foul and as a direct hit (a cup must be taken off the table). If another cup is hit after a hit on the edge of a cup, it is considered a regular hit.

1.5.2 Bounce Shot

The ball is intentionally thrown so that it touches the table ( = bounce) before it goes into a cup. As soon as the ball bounces, it may be blocked by the defending team (e.g. by hitting it away or catching it). If the ball still hits a cup, no matter how many times it was bounced, 2 cups must be taken from the table. The attacking team may determine the second cup that must be taken off the table. A hit on the edge of a cup is not considered a bounce and therefore may not be defended!

1.5.3 Regular hits in irregular situations

If a legitimate defense attempt sinks the ball into one’s own cup, this is considered a regular hit!
If a ball first hits an opponent (also behind the table) and then into a cup, this counts as a regular hit!
Cups that have been hit may only be taken off the table when both throws of the attacking team have been made.

1.6 Throw Line & Leaning

The entire throwing phase must take place behind the vertically imaginary extension of the rear edge of the table. However, the attacking player may lean over the table as far as possible (= leaning), but must have a secure footing (not have to support himself immediately after the throw) and must not touch the table. If a player’s own cups are knocked over by leaning, they are considered to have been hit and must be removed. Neither teammates nor other aids may be used as supports!

1.7 Goal of the game

The goal of the game is to be the first team to hit all of the opposing team’s cups while your own cups are still on the table.

2. The actual game

If both players of a team are missing at the beginning of a round, one cup of this team disappears from the table for every minute that the game cannot be played. The round timer indicates the number of cups that are still standing (9:23 = 9 cups, 5:57 = 5 cups, etc.). A game can start when one player of the team is present. A match is automatically scored 5:0 for the team present if both players from the other team are still not present from minute 4:59 on.

2.1 Starting team

Which team starts is decided by rock paper scissors between one team member each (the first result decides = Best of 1).

2.2 Gameplay (example)

Team A starts and receives both balls. Player A1 and player A2 try, one after the other or simultaneously, to throw their balls into the cups in front of team B, either directly or by bouncing. Team A is attacking, Team B is defending.

2.3 Hitting possibilities

A1 and A2 both miss – now team B is attacker and gets both balls.
A1 hits, A2 misses (or vice versa) – the hit cup must be taken out and it can be drunk. Then team B becomes attacker and gets both balls.
A1 and A2 both hit – both hit cups must be taken out and it can be drunk. After that, team A receives both balls once again and remains attacker (see point 3.1).
It does not matter if the cups are hit directly or by bounce. In general, the team should always take turns drinking (see point 2.6).

2.4 Re-Rack

A re-rack means that the cups are re-formed. This must be done as soon as both throws of a team are finished. With 6, 3 and 1 cups remaining, the remaining cups are rearranged as a pyramid, starting at the top of the rack. The attacking team may not throw until the re-rack is completed, i.e. as soon as the hands are no longer touching the cups. Attention Bring Back (see point 3.1): Both players of a team must have finished their throw before a re-rack is executed.

2.5 End of game & re-roll

The game is over when a team has no more cups in front of them or the time is up (see point 4). If Team A has started, Team B may re-throw with both balls after the final signal, if Team A was throwing at the time of the final signal. This also applies if Team A hit all of Team B’s cups first. There is always a re-roll for the team that did not start.

2.6 Drinking rule

There is no obligation to drink!

3. Special Ruling

3.1 Bring Back

If (see point 2.3) both cups are hit, the attacking team gets both balls back and thus starts another attack attempt. This also applies if both balls are thrown at the same time and land in the same cup. Attention: If only one cup is hit with both balls, only this cup disappears! If both balls are sunk again during the second attack attempt, the attacking team does not get the balls back again. A perfect round therefore consists of a maximum of 4 hits in 4 different cups.

3.2 Blow

If a ball circles in the upper part of a cup, the ball may be blown out. This kind of „defense“ is always allowed, no matter which shot was executed.

3.3 Distractions

All attempts to distract the opposing team in any way are allowed throughout the game, provided that neither the cups, their formation, the table, the opposing team, nor the ball (except for bounce shots) are touched. Also, no gusts of wind may be created to affect the ball. In addition, the view of the cups must not be obscured at any time. If the hand is hit above the table, it is considered a foul and a cup will be removed from the table by the affected team. This cup is determined by the attacking team.

3.4 Interference

A player may only touch the cups to remove a hit cup from the table. If a player knocks over his own cups, intentionally or unintentionally, they are considered hit and are out of the game. Any contact with the table (= playing surface) or with the ball (except for bounce shots) above the playing surface, is considered as unauthorized interference in the game, thus as a foul and punished with a cup loss. The opposing team may determine the cup to be taken from the table.

3.5 Interference by third parties

If a contact with the ball is caused by a spectator or force majeure, the throw will be repeated. In principle, spectators are not allowed to physically interfere in the game. If they do, the throw will be repeated.

3.6 Players entitled to participate

In principle, all persons over 18 years of age and with a valid entry ticket are eligible to participate. However, the tournament management reserves the right of exclusion.

3.7 Master Shot

One cup is placed at the top of each rack on the table. Now each team takes turns throwing an Air Shot (only one player per team throws per Master Shot round). The winner is the team that hits the ball into the cup in a Master Shot round while the other team misses.

4. Tournament mode

A combination of a round tournament and a k.o.-system will be played.

4.1 Group stage

All participating teams will be divided into groups in advance by the tournament management. This process happens randomly. In the group phase, each team plays one time against every other team within its group. The rounds in the group phase are limited to 10 minutes.

4.1.1 Preparation

Each team receives game chips at the on-site registration. Per chip, the game drinks must then be collected at the nearest tournament bar before each game. Cups filled with water must be placed in the racks if they are not already in them anyway.

4.1.2 Procedure

The game starts as soon as it is released by the start signal tone. The winner is the team that is the first to hit all the cups of the opposing team or has the most cups in front of it at the end of the time (see point 2.5.1). A cup tie results in a draw.

4.1.3 Follow-up

After the end of the game, one team must enter the result of the game resp. the number of cups hit by each team via their personal link in Tournify. Only then is the game round completed for both teams. If no result is recorded the game will be scored 0-0. If a team was not present for the entire round of the game, the game is scored 5-0 for the team present. Results can still be corrected during the group phase, but at least one player from each team must come to the info point and confirm the new/correct result.

4.2 Advancement to the k.o.-phase

Two teams per group will advance to the k.o.-phase. In case of equal number of victories, the number of cups left in the group phase determines the result (more cups are better). In case of a tie, the direct comparison decides. If both teams have played to a draw, a Master Shot will be played (see point 3.7).

4.3 K.o.-phase (incl. semifinals and finals)

The preparation of the rounds follows a similar procedure as in the group stage. Game drinks will be placed onto the tables. The cups filled with water must be placed in the racks if they are not already in them anyway.
In this phase the game time is also 10 minutes. The winner is again the team that is the first to hit all the cups of the opposing team or has the most cups in front of it after the 10 minutes (see point 2.5.1). In case of a tie, a Master Shot will decide (see point 3.7).

5. Referees & Fair Play

Beer Pong Vienna is a fun tournament, we count on your Fair Play.

During the tournament there is the so-called referee desk, where it is possible to ask referees about the rules or “borrow” them for decisions. But keep in mind that the lap time continues to run while you go to the referee’s desk.

Referees can consult with other referees and always have the last word!

The tournament management reserves the right to suspend or change any of these rules for the entire duration of the tournament. However, this change must be explained and announced to all teams before each round of the tournament.

Beer Pong Austria wishes a good tournament at all times!