Cup Pong Rules Game Pigeon

Players: two Cup Pong is one of GamePigeon’s most famous games. The rules of the game are actually pretty simple, likely because it follows the standard beer pong rules in real life (without the drinking, of course). Each player starts with 10 cups in a triangle facing the opposing player. To take a screenshot with your Mac, Command + Shift + 3 and then release all keys to captuer the whole screen, or press Command + Shift + 4 and press down. To take a screenshot with your Mac, Command + Shift + 3 and then release all keys to captuer the whole screen, or press Command + Shift + 4 and press down and drag the mouse over the area you'd like to capture.

The Chomicle

No March Madness, no problem.

Duke Athletics made history this week, becoming the first collegiate program to recognize GamePigeon's Cup Pong as an official varsity sport. The decision will cost the University $5 million in scholarships, licensing fees, equipment and more, but it comes at a time when the country yearns for athletic competition, in whatever form it may take.

“COVID-19 has forced the University’s hand,” Director of Athletics Kevin Spite said. “Nobody cares about basketball anymore. Duke is, and always will be, about The Pong.”

A reckoning some say has been long coming, Duke has announced its decision amid efforts to recruit and train some of the most talented in the game. Reports from Adrian Wojzyzewski have identified already-enrolled freshman John Piazza as a potential target for recruitment efforts.

Piazza, in his short playing career, is racking up a .75 cup per shot average and acquires balls back at a clip of one every two turns. The freshman has attracted attention from the transfer portal as well as professional play, but he says he remains committed to staying and completing his degree and Cup Pong career at Duke.

“I would be lying if I said the money wasn’t tempting,” Piazza said. “But my mom has always told me that my education comes first, and virtual drinking second. I’ll be honored to play out my years in front of the Blue Devil faithful. Pro ball can wait.”

And the Blue Devils will need him to perform, their hopes of a high seed in the National Consumption of Alcohol Association tournament being predicated on his next few matchups. It’s a lot to expect of an 18-year-old, but Piazza is actually hitting his peak performance years.

The founder of GamePigeon, Raspy Coo, could not be reached for comment, as she was doing her business above your Honda Civic at press time. However, she has made it known in the past that she will tolerate no bouncing whatsoever in the sport she invented.

“I removed us from March Madness because I knew it was the right thing to do,” President Rinse Price said. “But now, it is time to give the students something to cheer for.”

And for all of us, this comes as a boon to our spirits—our Blue Devils on the national stage, once again. Redemption.

Editor's Note: Happy April Fools' Day! In case you couldn't tell, this was a story for our satirical edition, The Chomicle. Check outmore Chomicle stories here, guaranteed to make you laugh or your money back.

Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox

Signup for our editorially curated, weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.

Live blog: Summer cancellations and this week's dining hours

We already know why you’re here. Discrepancy during a current game? Chill. We’ll help you figure this out and (hopefully) win. Let’s just make one thing clear first: You probably should’ve had house beer pong rules put in place before you started playing. Maybe you’ll remember that for next time.

Anyway, here are the official beer pong rules as determined by the competitive beer pong elites:

Cup Formation

Use 10 cups per side to form a triangle
Add one extra cup outside of the triangle to wet the ball
Cups have to touch rims without being tilted or leaning against another
In initial formation, cups should be centered with the back row in line with the back edge of the table
Fill each cup with 1/3-1/2 water or beer
- It is NOT a requirement that anyone has to drink anything out of the cups

Not sure how to have the best formation? Use the Perfect Rack beer pong table for a little assistance!

Choosing Teams and Sides

Teams will be made up of two players
Game can also be played one-on-one
Players can pick a side of the table or, if it cannot be agreed upon, choose sides by playing “Rock, Paper, Scissors” or flipping a coin

Gameplay

Once teams are settled, teams will either agree on who shoots first or will settle for another coin flip or play “Rock, Paper, Scissors” again
Each team gets two shots, one per player per round

Bounce Shots

Bounce shots (i.e., choosing to have the ball hit the table before entering a cup) are valid gameplay
If a bounce shot is made, two cups will be removed from the table instead of one
If a bounce shot is not made but falls into a cup after hitting another object, it will only count as one cup

Re-Racks

Cups that move out of position may be repositioned, but only at the request of the shooter
During every re-rack, the back row of cups must be flush with the back edge of the table and all cups touching rims
Cups must be removed as soon as the ball goes in, even when a rerack is not requested
The shooting team is fully responsible for waiting until a cup is cleared before shooting another ball

Rollbacks

If each teammate makes a cup during their collective turn, they get one rollback shot. Either partner may take the rollback shot
No partner can take two rollback shots consecutively. If partner A took the last rollback shot, then partner B must take the next

Winning

When the last cup is sunk, the losing team gets two rollbacks—one per player. If only one shooter makes a cup, the game is over and the other team wins. If both players score in the rollback, a new game is played with only three cups in a triangle centered in the table during sudden death. Regular rules apply.

Non-Permitted Gameplay & Exceptions

Grabbing, Swatting, Fingering, and Blowing

Grabbing or swatting the ball before it hits a cup is not permitted. If it was a bounce shot, grabbing and swatting are permitted once the ball hits the table one time
If opponent interferes with the ball before it hits a cup, the team who interfered takes a one-cup penalty. The shooter of the interfered ball chooses which cup will be removed
If a cup is knocked over during a swat, grab, etc., it will also count as made and be removed
If a ball is already inside a cup, even if still in movement, it cannot be removed by any means

Shots & Interference

If a player announces that only bounce shots will be made throughout the entire duration of the game, no swatting or grabbing is permitted. Bounce shots will also only count as one cup
If a ball sticks a landing on top of the cups, it counts as a missed shot unless it was announced before shooting that it was intentionally attempted to land there
If a player who has possession of the ball accidentally drops the ball into their own cup, there is no penalty
If a player who does not have possession of the ball accidentally comes in contact with the ball which goes into their own cup, that shot does count (i.e., backboard, accidental swatting, etc.)
If a non-player interferes with a shot, the shot is replayed
Objects on the beer pong table are considered in play. If a ball is shot and bounces off another object, like a water cup or a cup that has already been hit, and still goes into a cup that’s in play, the shot counts

Clearing Cups

If the shooting team does not wait for a made cup to be cleared before shooting another and it is either interfered by the opposing team’s hand or makes it into the same cup, it will not count and that shot is lost

Leaning & Using Body Parts

Shooting with any part of the player’s body on the table is not permitted, but body parts against the table are acceptable. No hands, feet, etc. may be used for leverage
No one’s hands may touch the table after a shot
If the shooter touches the ball after releasing the shot or touches the table in order to change the movement of their shot, that shot is forfeited even if it lands in a cup
Do not have any body part or objects over the table or cups while opposing team is shooting. Just relax and take a few steps back

Moving Cups

It is not permitted to move cups out of the way for better leverage during a shot. If cups accidentally move, they must be moved back to their original position before the next shot
Any cup that was accidentally knocked over during a shot will count as a hit
If a team knocks over one of their own cups, but no one from the other team notices, that cup remains in play

Celebrity Shots

If a player is missing during their turn, substitutions are not allowed and that team only gets one shot during their collective turn for as long as the player is missing

Distractions

Distractions are permitted as long as they don’t interfere with ball play or players’ eyes. So basically, don’t blow air and don’t shine a light in your opposing team’s eyes
No one, whether they’re playing the game or not, may visually block cups from the shooter’s eyes or yell in the shooter’s ears
Players may not walk away from their designated ends of the table except to pick up the ball

Disagreements

Disagreements and disputes in the game are not valid unless witnessed by two or more individuals, preferably two not involved in gameplay

House Rules

Of course, house rules are only valid if made clear before the game begins. Here are some of our favorite and the best house rules for beer pong:

Cup Formation

Cups don’t always have to be formed in a triangle after the first round or re-racked only upon request from opposing team
Our favorite beer pong cup formations:
- Diamond
- Reverse
- Ring of Fire
- Zig Zag
- Stop Light
- Thin Red Line
- Square
If there’s an outlier cup with no other cups touching it, shooter can call “island.” If they make it, it counts as two cups instead of one. If they make an “island” cup and don’t call it beforehand, it only counts as one
Each individual player can only call “island” once per game
Only one re-rack per game

Cup Pong Game Pigeon Tips

Gameplay

Fire: If a player makes a cup two turns in a row, they say “heating up.” Once they get the ball back on their next turn, that player can say “for fire,” and if they make a cup for the third time, they will continue getting the ball back until they miss
If a player on the opposing team is drinking from a cup, the shooter can aim for their cup only if they’re holding it. If made, the shooter’s team automatically wins
Elbows must stay behind the table lines. If they are over during a shot, it doesn’t count
Electricity Rule: If a ball is thrown and hits the rim of one cup but goes into another, both cups count
Celebrity Shots: If a player from a team is missing during their turn, the other teammate may recruit a new person for a one-time “celebrity shot” in their absence

Rollbacks

If both players make cups, they get one rollback each, but their next shots must be trick shots

Moving Cups

Spill an in-play cup on your own side, you lose the game

Losing the Game

If no one on a team makes a cup and ultimately loses the game, the losing team must run a naked lap around the house

Cup Pong Strategy Game Pigeon

Trick Shots (Some house rules count trick shots as two cups instead of one—you decide.)

Bounce off any surface
Throw the ball behind your back
Throw between your legs
Blind shot: Turn around with your back facing the table and throw over your shoulder
Blow out of your mouth