Why Beer Pong Is So Popular: 15 Reasons (a Widely Played Drinking Game)

Last Updated on January 25, 2024 by Gamesver Team and JC Franco

Beer Pong is probably one of America’s most popular, rowdiest, and well-loved games. It’s easy for anyone to learn the game once they see ping pong balls and a sea of beer-filled red plastic cups on a table. It’s a rite-of-passage game, especially at parties among college students, fraternities, and sororities. 

Beer pong is so popular mainly because it is such a fun game. Whether you win or lose, there is a lot of laughter to be shared whenever there is a hit or miss. Beer Pong is also popular because it dates back several generations and is now enjoyed at bars, tailgate parties, and even at home. 

This article will discuss the different reasons Beer Pong is so popular and why people have grown to love it through the years. I will also briefly discuss how Beer Pong started and how it evolved into the game we know today. Let’s get the (ping pong) ball rolling!

1. It’s Fun!

What college party, family reunion, or stag party would be complete without a game of Beer Pong? No one can deny that Beer Pong is well-loved by many, and it is a staple in some local bars and a favorite in group gatherings.

Beer Pong is great for people who want to inject more fun into an already festive occasion. This engaging game is synonymous with noise, laughter, and silly jokes, and it’s a fantastic way to make memories with family and friends. 

2. It Has a Rich History 

Beer pong dates back to the 1950s or 1960s. It is believed that the game started at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, USA. Ping pong was a well-loved game then, and students usually left cups of beer on the tables after the games. Someone must’ve felt bored or creative and decided to make a simple game. Beer Pong was born!

Beer Pong was originally played with paddles and a net, and was very similar to a regular ping pong game, except there were cups of beer at both ends of the table. The goal was to sink a ping pong ball into a cup, so that your opponent could drink its contents. 

The game became so popular that it spread to different universities and fraternities. Eventually, it reached the halls of Lehigh University, where they got rid of the paddles and invented “Throw Pong.”

The game became increasingly popular and was commonly played in various colleges and universities. It also became well-known at parties, bars, and even sporting events. Eventually, the name “Beer Pong” became the game’s official name if played with paddles, and “Beirut” if it was played without. These days, Beer Pong is usually played minus the paddles, Beirut-style.  

3. It Brings Out Your Competitiveness

Playing Beer Pong is pretty simple. There are many variations to it, but the game typically starts with two teams, with two persons per team, competing against each other at opposite ends of the table. 

There are usually ten cups of beer arranged in a triangle on each team’s side. A player will try to throw a ping pong ball into one of the opposing team’s cups. If a ball is sunk, then one of the members of that team will have to drink the beer in the cup. 

The object of the game is to eliminate the opposing team’s cups of beer. The team left with at least one cup of beer on their side of the table wins. Undoubtedly, Beer Pong requires strategy, skill, and a little bit of luck. 

For instance, you can employ certain tricks to get the ball to bounce so that it eliminates two cups at once. Your team can also devise tactics to make the most of each person’s strengths, such as deciding who drinks and who throws. 

4. You Can Earn Cash

Did you know that you can earn money from playing Beer Pong? The World Series of Beer Pong is an organized Beer Pong tournament where you can grab your slice of the pie from a big prize pool. You’ll get to play with people from different parts of the US and Canada, and even with people from other parts of the world. 

It’s a fun and gainful way of enjoying this game among people who love it, too. What’s good about this tournament is that a strict set of rules governs it. Some form of regulation and control gives this a more sportlike event, rather than the easygoing, somewhat rowdy game we all probably played at some point when we were younger. 

The World Series of Beer Pong has been held annually since 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. People from all walks of life and different nationalities converge for this event. It also has smaller satellite tournaments in various states where players can hone their skills before diving into the main event. 

5. You Can Collect Beer Pong Paraphernalia and Merchandise

You can purchase Beer Pong sets to make the gaming experience feel more authentic. There are various designs and colors to choose from, so you can go for a set that fits well with the vibe in your space. You can also collect shirts, mugs, and caps. 

6. You Can Play Beer Pong Anywhere

Beer pong can be enjoyed practically anywhere. All you need is a flat surface, some beer, a couple of cups, ping pong balls, and you’re all set. You can easily improvise if you don’t have ping pong balls on hand. 

Here is an idea you can use:

1. Scrunch up four to five pieces of toilet paper or table napkins into a tight ball.
2. Cover each ball with two to three layers of aluminum foil. 
3. Start playing Beer Pong! 

Your aluminum balls won’t bounce like ping pong balls, but they are light enough to toss around. The liquid may also seep into the ball, making it heavier with each throw. Be prepared to make more aluminum balls as the game progresses.

7. It’s an Easy Way To Make New Friends

As the saying goes, “Birds of a feather flock together.” Beer Pong brings together people with essentially the same interests and similar personalities. Many friendships have been forged from tailgate parties and nights out at bars where Beer Pong was one of the main attractions. 

8. It’s a Great Ice-Breaker

A creative way to loosen people up and make them more comfortable is through a game of Beer Pong. You can play this as a party opener so that your guests can start to mingle and feel more relaxed, whether they choose to be players or mere spectators. You can also introduce a game of Beer Pong at family reunions to create a more festive vibe.

9. It’s the Perfect Way To Make Your Friends Drink

Do you have that one friend who is known for always trying to avoid drinking beer at parties? Then maybe a fun game of Beer Pong will help them loosen up and enjoy the night more. Just make sure they aren’t already experts at this game – otherwise, you’ll end up drinking more than you intended. 

10. It’s an Ingenious Way To Serve Cheap Drinks

You don’t have to limit yourself to just beer when hosting Beer Pong parties. You can take this as the perfect opportunity to serve that inexpensive bottle of wine you’ve been keeping at the back of your cupboard, and people will be unlikely to judge you for your questionable taste in booze. 

They probably won’t even notice the unimpressive flavors since they’ll be too busy enjoying the game. 

11. It’s a More Enjoyable Way To Get Drunk

Enjoying some drinks with friends as you’re gathered around a table, talking and laughing, is good, old-fashioned fun. 

Playing Beer Pong while enjoying drinks is even better. Just imagine all the hooting, chortling, and giggling whenever a player misses or dunks a ball into a cup!

12. It Sharpens Your Hand-Eye Coordination

What better way to hone your hand-eye coordination than by playing a game of Beer Pong? Sure, you’ll probably get the same results by juggling or playing darts, but Beer Pong is so much more fun. You’ll probably get the chance to improve your basketball skills, too. 

13. It’s an Interesting Way To Pass Time

Beer Pong is a fun way to pass the time. If, for example, you’re stuck at home because of a snowstorm, you could bring out your Beer Pong gear and turn a drab day into one filled with laughter and fun. 

Otherwise, you could transform a quiet afternoon at the beach into something more exciting by pumping up the mood and introducing a quick game of Beer Pong by improvising with whatever items are on hand. 

14. It’s Not a Formal Game

The World Series of Beer Pong may have taken this game to a whole new level, but that is not to say that you cannot make your own alterations to make the game more suited to your liking. You can certainly tweak the rules depending on the current situation. This way, more people can play and have fun.

For instance, instead of having only two people per team, you can have a whole family playing against another, and you could even let kids join. Of course, in this case, you wouldn’t use beer but juice or water instead. 

15. It’s Stood the Test of Time

Try asking your Mom or Dad if they know about Beer Pong. Chances are, they’ll tell you they played it a lot in college. Ask them if they want to play one round with you now, and you’ll probably get a resounding yes.

Beer Pong is so popular because it has stood the test of time. The rules are simple and can easily be changed without ruining the essence of the game. It has no age limit — young and old can play the game (but be sure to use juice, water, or milk when kids are playing).