No one is sure when the king of drinking games first appeared, but rumor has it that beer-pong popped its frothy head out of the basements of fraternity houses in the 1960s at Dartmouth College. The game accidently originated when an anonymous frat boy placed his ice cold beer on a ping pong table, probably to re-pop his collar, and a ball sank in the cup. This eventful moment birthed the “original” game of beer pong—house pong. The game consisted of hitting a ball on a serve, making the serving team drink while hitting a cup on a volley, and so forth.
In the ’70s beer-pong became an intramural sport among many fraternities and sororities, while rules were finalized and tournaments set up. There was only one cup per player on the team, and the object was to slam the ball, with a ping pong paddle, into the opponent’s cup. Fortuitously, Solo Cup Company introduced its signature red plastic cup at the same time. Beer-pong was the only college-sponsored drinking competition ever, until Dartmouth decided in 1977 to derecognize its sponsorship of beer-pong tournaments.
After de-recognition at Darthmouth, Slam pong became the game of choice among many fraternity parties. Slam resembled regular ping pong where one serves, or slams, his or her ball with a paddle over the net, with the object to sink the ball into Solo cups of beer.
“Beirut” emerged in the 1980s, also known as “lob pong.” Beirut eventually became better known as beer-pong.
Beer-pong is just one of the “not just for college kids anymore” activities going on at bars across the country, joining newly-minted bar games like Guitar Hero and drunk spelling bees. Those who want to re-live their youth should visit one of these venues in New York City for near nightly beer-pong specials. Popped collars are optional.
The Big Easy
The Big Easy, located at 1768 2nd Ave, is a New Orleans themed bar with 5 beer-pong tables nightly. Registration is $80 and requires pre-payment that afternoon. Only the first 64 teams can play a night. The Big Easy follows the 10-cup form, and 60 oz is used to fill the cups for playing. During game play, cups are only re-racked in a triangle when six and three cups are left remaining. Team can organize their times on the Big Easy Web site by going to www.bigeasynyc.com.
The Town Tavern
The Town Tavern charges a $7 entrance fee for beer-pong teams, featuring three tables in the upstairs area of the bar. Each team plays with 10 cups. On Thursday nights the bar hosts a beer-pong Challenge. There are $10 pitchers of Sam Adams & Coors Light to play, but if you RSVP you will receive discounted pitchers at $6. 1st place receives two pairs of designer sunglasses, 2nd place receives $300 in cash prizes, and 3rd place gets a complimentary bar tab. Visit towntavernnyc.com for more information.
Bar XII
Bar XII has two beer-pong tables every night of the week where the players only have to pay $10-$22 (depending on which beer) per pitcher while playing. Although, it’s suggested to make reservations for the beer-pong table Thursday through Saturday because the tables fill up quickly. The house rules for Bar XII are to play with the 10 cup rack with 2 ounces in each cup, but if a party reserves the table, youcan play with as many or few cups or ounces as desired.
World Pong Tour
Beer-pong is so popular that there is a summer World Pong Tour that travels to bring pong games to local bars. The tournament holds up to 80 teams and costs $25 per player to play. The tournament plays with a 10 cup rack and the players must be 12 inches behind the beer-pong table. There are two re-racks allowed during the game when either 2, 3, 4, or 6 cups are left. All re-racks must be done at the beginning of possession. Before game play, each player must sign a waiver stating the awareness of the effects of drinking.
The Grand in your Hand tournament takes place at Porky’s Hamptons (80 East Montauk Highway, Hamtpon Bays) on June 28, starting at 3:05 p.m. Each 1st place winner wins $1,000, 2nd place wins $100 and $100 Gift card to the bar, 3rd and 4th receives $50 cash and a $25 gift card to the bar. Teams can register on www.worldpongtour.com.
Beer Pong on the Wii
If you want to just want to play beer-pong, without the mess and the drinking, JV Games Inc. announced that Frat Party Games will be releasing a compilation of games called “Game party” that will have its own version of beer-pong in late June for the Nintendo Wii. The Wii game likes to follow the 10 cup rule and there are no buttons that need to be pressed: just hold the Wii controller and throw.
You can play the game with two different options: the traditional tournament style, with one to four players, or Speed Pong, where two to three players compete on their own to eliminate their own cups. The game will be released in November, beer not included.