BDOA Beer Pong Rules

The following are a condensed set of playing rules. Read the full list of pong rules here.

Cups

• Each team starts with 10 cups in a tight triangle (rims touching).
• The triangle must be centered and aligned with the back edge of the table.
• Cups must not be tilted or leaning.
• Teams may request racks to be tightened before play or reracks.
• Cups are filled with at least ⅓ water.

Determining First Shot

• Eye-to-eye faceoff with a 3-2-1 countdown.
• Players alternate shots until one hits and the other misses.
• If both hit, teammates shoot; repeat until there’s a difference.

Defense Rules

• Ball may be touched after it contacts a cup, table, or other item.
• Interference before contact = 1-cup penalty (defensive team chooses which cup).
• Fingering allowed; if the ball stops inside the cup before being removed, the cup counts.
• Knocking over a cup while playing defense = cup removed.

Bounce Shots

• Bounce shots count as 2 cups.
• Must hit the table once to count.
• Defensive team chooses second cup to remove.
• Knocked-over cups during defense = made cups.

Reracks

• Each team is allowed 2 reracks per game.
• Offensive team chooses configuration.
• Final cup may be centered as a "gentleman’s rerack," but defense may deny it.
• Cups drifting out of place may be reformed.

Balls Back

• If both players hit in a turn, team gets balls back.
• No limit to balls back.
• Behind-the-back shots do not count toward balls back.

Elbows/Leaning

• No body part may cross the edge of the table.
• Defense can call violations; if upheld, the shot is void.

Distractions

• Allowed unless illegal or against venue rules.
• Moving cups, table, or touching the ball early = 1-cup penalty.
• No fanning or blowing to alter ball flight.
• Players must stay on their side during opponent's shot.

Interference

• Ball: Touching prematurely = 1-cup penalty. No altering flight.
• Cup: Own cups knocked over = removed. Non-player knocks over = refill and replace.
• Table: No contact while opponents shoot.
• During Reformation: No shooting during reformation. Shot counts if made early; if it hits a player = miss, no penalty.

Winning the Game

• First team to hit all 10 opponent cups wins.
• Death cup (made into a cup previously hit but not removed) = automatic win.

Redemption/Rebuttal

• Losing team gets a rebuttal if all 10 cups are hit.
• Must match made cups exactly to stay alive.
• All rules (e.g., bounce shots = 2 cups) remain in effect during rebuttal.

Disputes

• Must be witnessed by two BDOA members.
• Officials must be notified immediately; witnesses must stay.
• Referee decisions are final.
• Abuse of dispute process = ejection.

Absentee Players

• 10+ minutes late = forfeit.
• Missing player = team only gets 1 shot per round until they return.
• Substitutions require BDOA approval.
• Ejection = forfeit with no refund.

Conduct

• Respect required toward players, refs, venue, and BDOA.
• Harassment or illegal activity = disqualification (and possible ban).