2010 BEER PONG LEAGUE

Official Rules

1The Game
1.1 General
The game of beirut (beer pong) consists of attempting to remove all of the opposing team's
cups from the table in accordance with the rules. The first team to remove all of the
opposing team's cups from the table shall be declared the winner.

1.2 Agreement to Waive Rules

Players may not agree to exclude the operation of any rule or to waive any penalty incurred
.
1.3 Points Not Covered by the Rules
If any point not covered by the rules is under dispute during the course of the game, a
decision shall be made in accordance with equity.

2 The Players
2.1 Formation of Teams
Each team shall consist of 2 players.

2.2 Substitutions
During the course of a game, no substitutions of players shall be permitted. If a player is
unable to complete a game, then their team shall forfeit and the opposing team shall be
declared the winners.

3 The Balls
3.1 Form and Make of Balls [Variation]
The game shall be played with 2 table tennis balls.

3.2 Ball Unfit for Play

If a ball becomes physically altered in any way including: cuts, cracks or dents, the ball
shall be deemed unfit for play and must be replaced immediately. If it is ruled that a player
intentionally altered a ball, then their team shall forfeit and the opposing team shall be
declared the winners.

4 The Cups
4.1 Form and Make of Cups
Cups shall be plastic and have a volume of 16 ounces.

4.2 Cups Contain Beverage

The cups shall contain approximately 3 oz. to 4 oz., of a beverage that shall be determined
prior to the start of the game. Prior to attempting a shot, a shooter may review the volume
of beverage contained in the defending team's cups. If it is ruled that any of the defending
team's cups contain a volume of beverage less than that required, the defending team must
immediately fill the cups to the required volume.
 4.3 Arrangement of Cups
Each team shall defend 6 cups arranged in the shape of a triangle. The triangle shall be
located 4 inches from the end of the table, equidistant from either side of the table, and with
the base of the triangle parallel to the end of the table.

4.4 Cup Unfit for Play

During the course of the game, the playing characteristics of the cups shall not be altered. If
it is ruled that a cup is unfit for play, a replacement cup shall be substituted immediately.
The replacement cup shall be placed approximately in the altered cup's former position. If it
is ruled that a player intentionally altered a cup, then their team shall forfeit and the
opposing team shall be declared the winners.

5 The Table
5.1 Dimensions of Table
The table shall be a standard table tennis table 9' in length by 5' in width, and standing 2'6"
in height. If a standard table tennis table is not available, a table of similar dimensions may
be substituted.

5.2 Obstructions
If a player feels that any object on the surface of the table, other than cups still in play, is
obstructing their shot, they may require that the object be moved at no penalty.

5.3 Beverage Hazards

If a player feels that any amount of beverage that has pooled on the surface of the table, due
to knocked over cups or improper beverage distribution, may cause an unfair increase in
cup movement they may require that the beverage hazard be cleaned up at no penalty.
During beverage hazard clean up, the cups may be moved temporarily and then replaced to
their approximate former position.

6 The Shooting Area

6.1 Definition
The shooting area shall be the area from which legal shots must be attempted. The shooting
area shall consist of a rectangle projected from the end of the table and enclosed on either
side by lines extended collinearly from the sides of the table. A player is deemed inside the
shooting area when at least one foot is within the designated rectangle and all portions of
the player's body are behind or above the end of the table with no portion of the player's
body in contact with the table or objects on the surface of the table.

6.2 Irregular Tables

If a non-standard table has been substituted, the players or committee shall determine the
legal shooting area prior to the start of a game.

7 Order of Play
7.1 Initiative [Variation]
Prior to the start of play, the teams shall decide who shall have the initiative by using a
method of random chance. The team that is awarded the initiative shall choose which side
of the table they will defend.
 7.2 Shooting Order [Variation]

When a player has legal possession of the ball during their turn to shoot, they are deemed
the shooter and the opposing team deemed the defenders. The shooter may shoot at any
time
.
7.2.1 Shooters Sink Both Balls During a Turn [Addition]
If the first shooter during a turn hits a cup, then the cup shall be removed
immediately. If the second shooter subsequently sinks a ball in the same cup, during
the same turn, then their team shall be awarded 3 cups. A team may continue to shoot
indefinitely so long as both shooters sink cups during each turn. If during a single
turn, the shooters sink both balls in the opposing team's final cup, then the opposing
team's turn to attempt redemption shall be cancelled.
.
7.2.2 Shooter Sinks First Ball in Final Cup [Addition]

If a shooter sinks the first ball of a turn in the opposing team's final cup, they may waive their team's
second shot. The opposing team may then attempt redemption using only one ball, and may select
either player to be the redemption shooter. Alternately, the shooting team may attempt to sink the
second ball. If the second shooter successfully sinks their ball, then the opposing team's turn to attempt
redemption shall be cancelled. If the second shooter misses their shot, then the opposing team may
attempt redemption using both balls.

7.4 Shooting Prior to Beverage Consumption

If a shooter attempts to shoot prior to consumption of a beverage that has been assigned to
them, the defending team may require cancellation of the shot. If the defending team does not
call for cancellation prior to completion of the shot, the ball shall be deemed in play. If the ball
subsequently becomes sunk in a cup, the cup shall be removed.

7.5 Redemption [Variation]

When a shooter hits the opposing team's final cup, the cup shall remain on the table, and the
opposing team shall be allowed an additional turn to attempt redemption, unless the turn to
attempt redemption was cancelled as a result of the shooting team sinking both balls in the
final cup during a single turn.

7.5.1 Redemption Order of Play [Variation]

During the turn of redemption, both shooters shall be allowed to shoot, unless the
opposing team waived their second shoot in which case the shooting team may
choose either player to be the redemption shooter. If during the turn of redemption,
both shooters sink a ball , then their team shall be awarded another turn of
redemption, and the defending team shall be required to remove the cups hit by the
shooters . A team may continue to shoot indefinitely so long as both shooters sink
their balls. If during a turn of redemption, the first shooter misses; their partner shall
still be permitted to shot until they miss a shot.
 7.5.2 Successful Redemption [Variation]
The redemption shooter(s) shall have achieved redemption if they successfully hit all
of the opposing team's cups without missing a shot. Subsequently, the balls shall be
returned to the team that originally hit the opposing team's final cup, and overtime
shall begin.

7.5.3 Unsuccessful Redemption [Variation]

If the redemption shooter(s) fails to achieve redemption, their team's final cup shall
be removed from the table.

7.6 Overtime
Following a successful redemption attempt, overtime shall begin. During overtime, the
standard order of play shall be observed. There shall be no limit on the number of turns
during overtime, or the number of overtimes that may occur.

7.6.1 Arrangement of Cups

Prior to the start of overtime, each team shall place a single cup on the table. The cups
shall be located 4 inches from the ends of the table, equidistant from either side of the
table.

8 Offense

8.1 Definition [Variation]

A player shall have shot the ball when, having been designated the shooter, they propel the
ball forward with the intention of sinking it in one of the opposing team's cups. Prior to
shooting the ball, the shooter shall be required to declare the cup they intend to sink the ball
in. If the shooter sinks the ball in any cup other then the cup previously declared or, the ball
contacts any cup other that the cup previously declared before sinking in the cup previously
declared, the shot shall be deemed a missed shot, and the cup shall remain on the table. If
the ball slips from the shooter's hand while their hand is in a shooting motion, the ball shall
be deemed in play. If the ball slips from the shooter's hand while their arm is not in a
shooting motion, the ball shall be deemed not in play.

8.2 Shooting Team Loses Control of Ball [Variation]

-If a player on the shooting team loses control of a ball, the ball shall be deemed not in play,
unless the ball slips from a shooter's grip while their hand is in a shooting motion. If the
ball is deemed not in play and subsequently lands in one of shooting team’s cups, the cup
shall be deemed hit, the cup shall be removed from the table, and the shooting team shall
maintain possession of the ball.
-If the ball slips from a shooter's grip while their hand is in a shooting motion, the ball shall
be deemed in play. If the ball is deemed in play and subsequently lands in one of shooting
team’s cups, the cup shall be deemed hit, the cup shall be removed from the table, and the
ball shall be turned over to the defending team.
 8.3 Offsides
If a player attempts to shoot while they are not with the shooting area, the defending team
must immediately require the player to cancel the shot. If the defending team does not call
for cancellation prior to completion of the shot, the shot from outside the shooting area is
deemed legal and any cups sunk are removed.

9 Defense

9.1 Definition
Defense is defined as a defender's attempt to prevent a legally shot ball from sinking in the
cups by directly or indirectly applying force to the ball using their body after first contact
has occurred. First contact is defined as the initial contact between a legally shot ball with
any outside agency on or off the surface of the table, the cups, or the surface of the table,
excluding players and spectators. Acceptable methods of defense include, but are not
limited to: catching, swatting, hooking, and blowing.

9.2 Illegal Defense

Illegal defense is defined as an attempt at defense using a prohibited method of defense, or
intentional or unintentional contact by a defender with a shot before the ball makes first
contact, unless it is ruled that the ball would not have made first contact with an outside
agency on the surface of the table, the cups, or the surface of the table; the defender was in
the process of removing a cup that had been previously sunk; or the defender was in the
process of consolidating the remaining cups on the table. If the ball does not subsequently
become sunk in a cup, the shooter may declare illegal defense, and the defending team must
remove a cup of the shooter's choosing from the table.

9.3 Shot Interference

Shot interference is defined as intentional or unintentional contact by a defender with the
table or cups during an attempt at defense. If the ball does not subsequently become sunk in
a cup, the shooter may declare shot interference, and the defending team must remove a cup
of the shooter's choosing from the table.

9.4 Incidental Contact

If a legally shot ball deflects off a defender after first contact, the ball shall be deemed in
play. If the ball subsequently becomes sunk in a cup, the cup shall be removed.

9.5 Ball Spinning in Cup

A ball spinning inside of the rim of a cup that has not already become sunk in the cup shall
be deemed still in play, and may be defended.

9.6 Distractions
A defender may attempt to distract a shooter prior to their shot, by any method so long as
all portions of the defender's body remain behind the end of the table. If while attempting to
distract a shooter, a portion of the defender's body contacts, or passes over, the end of the
table the shooter may shoot again.
9.7 Player Knocks Over Cup
If a player knocks over one of their own cups through direct or indirect contact, the cup
shall be deemed hit and shall be removed from the table.
10 Sinking the Ball

10.1 Definition
A ball shall be deemed sunk if while it is in play it contacts the surface of the beverage
contained within the cup. A cup shall be deemed hit if a ball has been sunk in it. A cup that
has been deemed hit shall be removed from the table.

10.2 Cup Removal

During cup removal, all attempts shall be made to not disturb the remaining cups. Any
remaining cups that move during the removal of a cup shall be replaced approximately to
their former position. Immediately following the removal of a cup from the table, a
defender shall be required to consume the beverage contained within the cup.

10.3 Beverage Consumption

The defending team may choose any method of determining which player shall consume
the beverage contained in a cup removed from play.

10.4 Cup Consolidation

Following cup removal, the remaining cups shall not be consolidated or rearranged.

10.5 Ball Moves Cup(s)

At no point during a game shall a player be required to rearrange cups that have moved due
to the force of impact from a ball, unless it is ruled that the cup movement was due to a
beverage hazard.

10.6 Cup Movement Due to Beverage Hazard

If it is ruled that cup movement is due to a beverage hazard, the beverage hazard shall be
cleaned up, and the cup(s) shall be replaced approximately to their former position.

10.7 Ball Knocks Over Cup [Variation]

A shot that causes a cup to be knocked over by the force of impact from a ball shall be
deemed a hit, unless it is the team's last cup. If the shot is ruled a miss, the cup shall be
replaced approximately to its former position. If the shot is ruled a hit, the cup shall be
removed from the table.

10.8 Ball Settles on Top of Cups

If the ball settles on the tops of three or more cups, then the shot shall be deemed a missed
shot.

10.9 Ball Fails to Contact Cups

A shot that fails to contact the opposing team's cup(s), whether on the fly or following
contact with an outside agency, shall be deemed an air ball, but there shall be no penalty.
10.10 Ball Sinks in Cup Removed from Play Prior to Beverage Consumption [Variation]

If a ball becomes sunk in a cup that has been removed from play prior to the beverage it
contains has been consumed, whether the shooter intended to hit the cup or not, then all of the
defending team’s remaining cups shall be removed from the table, the defending team's turn to
attempt redemption shall be cancelled and the shooting team shall be declared the winners.

Misc Rules

Babe Ruth Rule

If a player calls a cup and sinks it, they get the ball right back and can shoot again. If the player misses
the cup (even if they make a different cup) the shot is over and is counted as a miss.

Beer Pong Distractions Rule

Distractions or “psych-outs” can occur, but one of the main rules is that there is no covering of the
cups. This means that you can do whatever you would like except place hands or clothing over the cups
so that the opposing players cannot see where they are shooting. Further, you cannot interfere with the
ball in any way until it has touched either the table or a cup.
Fingering Rule
Same as “Bitches Blow” rule, however this involves Men using a finger to knock a ball out of a cup
before the ball hits the liquid.
Sniper Rule
Team A makes their first shot of the round. Team B picks up the cup and starts to drink the cup. Team
A’s second shot goes right into the unfinished beer in the hands of Team B. This means that the game is
over. The cup is only safe when it is returned to the table totally empty.

Spill Rule
If a cup is spilled during game play it counts and should be removed from the table. The team with the
spilt beer should drink the same amount of beverage as they spilled. Exception: Bowling Rule.

Bowling Rule
Offensive teams may not throw balls at opposing cups with the intention of knocking the cups over,
thereby causing the spill rule.

NBA Jam Rule

If you hit three consecutive cups, you are now “on-fire”. When on-fire you can continue shooting until
you miss.
Mortal Kombat Rule
Throw the ball underhand into the ceiling after calling out “Mortal Kombat”. If you make it in, it’s two
cups.
If you agree to abide by these rules and join the 2010 Beer pong league sign and date on the line below.
Any breach of these rules may and can lead up to disqualification from the league.

Signature_______________________________________________ Date_______________

Copyright 2010 Ryan J Hall