FAQS
Is Beer Pong just an excuse to binge drink?
[Authors unclip their microphones and storm out of room—only to return minutes later.] Sorry. We are very sensitive about this issue. Beer Pong is no more an excuse to binge drink than football is an excuse for aggravated assault and battery. Beer Pong is a sport of precision, skill and concentration. Beer just happens to play a role in the sport—but it also does in bowling, darts, hockey and corporate softball. So other than a complete and utter disagreement with that premise there are two major reasons it is not an excuse to binge drink:
1. A properly played game (according to the tenets laid out in our book) would result in each player drinking approximately one 12-ounce beer in about 20 minutes. By no means a Belushi-style bender.
2. Anyone looking to succeed at the sport will realize that too much chemical impairment is antithetical to sinking shots. So as skill in the sport increases, so does the pressure to moderate consumption.
What are the most common mistakes that new players make?
The biggest mistake is not taking the sport seriously. Many new players just pick up the ball and hurl it across the table without regard to form, strategy or even appreciation of the sport’s storied history. Those people are not just missing a chance to taste the foamy head of victory—they are missing a chance to really take the time to understand the newest unofficial American pastime.
What are three simple tactics that a neophyte Pong player can employ to instantly improve his/her game?
1. Aim at a Specific Cup – Don’t just toss the ball up with a hope and a prayer that it will magically land in a cup. This is a sport of skill so aim at one particular cup every time you shoot. Your game will improve drastically especially towards the finish.
2. Pick and Perfect a Throw – You can’t just pick up the ball and throw it. Between the grip, the stance and the arc—there are hundreds of combinations of proven techniques. It’s just a matter of fitting the right combination to your natural style and focusing on form.
3. Get Your Head Right – Many new players let a missed shot or a silly distraction ruin their game. They need to zone out any distractions and have confidence in their ability.
The Book of Beer Pong has a section dedicated to showmanship. How important is it really?
Showmanship is very important to the sport. Beer Pong is considered a “Gentleman’s (or woman’s) Game” in that respect of others, sportsmanship and camaraderie all play a huge role not only in your showmanship but also the sport as a whole. It’s like Tiger Woods or Hulk Hogan celebrating and pumping their fists after a victory. It shows their love for a sport, gets everyone excited and, at the same time, they are respecting their opponents.
