Beverage Pong

The Beverage Pong icebreaker is a fun and interactive way to encourage mingling and socialization among guests at events. The purpose of this activity is to get people talking, laughing, and having a great time while breaking the ice. It involves setting up a beer pong-inspired game using cups and a ball, but instead of alcohol, participants use any beverage of their choice.

The goal is to make connections with other players by engaging in lighthearted conversation as they take turns trying to throw the ball into opponents’ cups. This activity can be easily customized with house rules to fit the occasion, making it a versatile and enjoyable icebreaker for any event. By incorporating elements of a classic party game, Beverage Pong creates an engaging atmosphere that helps guests feel more comfortable and connected, ensuring a memorable experience for all.

• Find a table, preferably 2-3 meters long.
• Arrange 12 plastic cups in a triangle at each short end of the table.
• Fill the cups about 3cm deep with alcohol or a non-alcoholic beverage.
• Both players look each other in the eye and throw their ping pong ball towards the opposite side. The player who makes a cup first gets to go first.
• Players take turns attempting to throw their ping pong ball into one of their opponents cups.
• If successful, the opponent will take the cup, drink the contents (if playing with liqueur), and remove the cup from the table.
• The player who successfully removes all of their opponents cups in this way, wins!
• Throws should be made with the elbow behind the edge of the table.
• In teams of two, each teammate will get one throw each before play is passed on to other team.
• If both teammates make cups on their turn, they are given a bonus throw each before play is passed to the other team.
• When the last cup is removed from the table, the player on the losing side is usually allowed a rebuttal, where they keep shooting at their opponents remaining cups as long as they don’t miss a shot. If they miss, the game is lost. If they make all of their opponents remaining cups without missing, the game will proceed into sudden death.
• House rules may apply and must be followed.

• 12 or 20 plastic cups: These will be used to set up the triangular formation on each end of the table.
• One or more ping pong balls: You’ll need at least one ball per two players. Players take turns throwing the ball into their opponents’ cups.
• A table, ideally 2 to 3 meters long: A longer table makes for a more challenging and lengthy game, but any table above 1.5 meters will work.
• Liqueur (optional): For an alcohol-inclusive version of the game, fill the cups with your choice of alcohol. For a non-alcoholic version, use water or another beverage instead.

To set up for the Beverage Pong icebreaker activity, you will need to find a table that is ideally 2-3 meters long. Arrange plastic cups in a triangle shape at each short end of the table, with six cups on each side. Fill the cups with the beverage of your choice, or use water for an alcohol-free version. Both players should stand at their end of the table, behind their triangle of cups, and look each other in the eye while throwing their ping pong ball towards the opposite side of the table to determine who goes first. The player who makes a cup or causes their opponent to miss goes first. When playing with teams, each teammate will get one throw each before play is passed on to the other team. The last cup removed from the table allows the losing player a rebuttal, where they can keep shooting at their opponents remaining cups as long as they don’t miss. If they make all of their opponents remaining cups without missing, the game will proceed into sudden death.

1. Set up the table: I use a table that is 2-3 meters long, just like a regulation beer pong table. At each short end of the table, arrange plastic cups in triangles, pointing to each other. Fill all cups about 3cm deep with water or any beverage of your choice.
2. Decide who starts: To determine the starting player, I look my opponent in the eye over the table and maintain eye contact while simultaneously throwing my ping pong ball towards the opposite side of the table. The player who makes a cup goes first. If both players miss or if both make it, we repeat until only one player makes a cup.
3. Take turns to throw: Each player attempts to throw their ping pong ball into one of their opponents’ cups. If successful, the opponent takes that cup, drinks the contents (if playing with liqueur), and removes the cup from the table.
4. Follow basic rules: The game continues in turns until one player successfully removes all of their opponents’ cups, winning the game!
5. Adhere to additional rules: Ensure your elbow stays behind the edge of the table when throwing. If playing in teams of two, each teammate gets one throw each before play is passed on to the other team. When only two cups remain on both sides, the game enters sudden death mode, where one to three extra cups are added to each side and players take turns to clear these final cups to decide a winner.
6. Observe house rules: Beer pong can be played with various house rules, which may differ from place to place. Ensure you’re aware of and abide by the house rules at the location where you’re playing.

Back to top

• Improves hand-eye coordination: Playing beer pong can help improve your hand-eye coordination as you practice throwing the ball into the cups.
• Encourages social interaction: The game is a great icebreaker and encourages people to interact with each other, making it a fun way to meet new people or strengthen existing relationships.
• Enhances concentration and focus: Concentrating on aiming and throwing the ball into the cups can help improve your focus and attention to detail.
• Provides a chance for friendly competition: Beer pong is a competitive game, which can be a fun way to challenge yourself and others in a friendly setting.
• Promotes relaxation and stress relief: Playing beer pong can be a great way to relax and have fun with friends, helping to reduce stress and promote a positive mood.
• Can be played with non-alcoholic beverages: The game can also be enjoyed with non-alcoholic beverages, making it accessible for people of all ages and preferences.

Back to top

• Fine Motor Skills: Playing beverage pong requires precise hand-eye coordination and the ability to accurately throw a ping pong ball into a small cup from a distance. This helps to improve fine motor skills and dexterity.
• Strategic Thinking: While the game is largely based on chance, there are still strategic decisions to be made when playing beverage pong. Decisions about where to aim, when to attempt trick shots, and how to position oneself relative to the table all require a certain level of strategic thinking.
• Teamwork: When played in teams, beverage pong requires effective communication and collaboration between teammates. This helps to build teamwork skills and encourages players to work together towards a common goal.
• Social Skills: Beverage pong is often played at social gatherings and parties, making it a great icebreaker activity. Playing the game provides an opportunity for players to interact with one another, build relationships, and have fun in a relaxed setting.
• Hand-Eye Coordination: The act of throwing a ping pong ball into a cup requires precise hand-eye coordination and aim. Practicing this skill can help improve overall hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
• Patience and Persistence: Beverage pong is a game that requires patience and persistence. Players may need to attempt multiple throws before successfully making a shot, and the game can last for several rounds. Developing these qualities can help players stay focused and motivated, even when faced with challenges or setbacks.
• Critical Thinking: While the rules of beverage pong are relatively simple, there are still opportunities for players to use critical thinking skills. For example, players may need to analyze their opponents’ strategies, adjust their own strategies in response, and make quick decisions based on the current state of the game.
• Adaptability: Beverage pong is a game that can be played with a variety of different rules and variations. Being able to adapt to new situations and rules requires flexibility and creativity, skills that are valuable both on and off the “court.”

Back to top

I like the Beverage Pong icebreaker because it is a fun and engaging way to get to know people at social events. The game requires a combination of skill and luck, which makes it exciting and unpredictable. I also appreciate that it can be played with any type of beverage, making it inclusive for people who don’t drink alcohol.

One of the things I enjoy most about Beverage Pong is the opportunity it provides to interact with others. Whether playing in teams or individually, the game encourages communication and collaboration as players strategize and try to outwit their opponents. This makes it a great way to build relationships and make new connections.

Another aspect of Beverage Pong that I appreciate is its flexibility. The game can be easily adapted for players of all ages and skill levels, and it can be played with a variety of house rules to add an extra layer of fun and excitement. This makes it a versatile icebreaker that can be enjoyed in a variety of settings.

Overall, I find Beverage Pong to be a highly enjoyable and engaging icebreaker. Its combination of social interaction, skill, and luck make it a great way to bring people together and have fun.

Back to top

• Use non-alcoholic beverages: By using non-alcoholic beverages like juice or tea, you can make the game more inclusive for people who don’t drink alcohol or are underage.
• Modify the aim of the game: Instead of trying to throw the ball into cups filled with a beverage, you can try throwing it into buckets or baskets. This way, the focus is on having fun and being active rather than drinking.
• Play as teams: Pairing up players into teams can help make the game more inclusive by allowing for more collaboration and support. It also means that each team only needs to eliminate half of their opponents’ cups, which can make the game less intimidating for new players.
• Create alternative ways to win: Instead of making the goal of the game to drink all of the beverages in your opponents’ cups, you can come up with alternative ways to win. For example, you could try throwing the ball into specific cups that have different point values, and the first team to reach a certain number of points wins.
• Make it a group activity: Instead of having just two or four players, you can involve a larger group by setting up multiple tables with smaller teams playing against each other. This way, everyone can participate and socialize at their own pace.
• Encourage creativity: You can encourage players to come up with their own creative ways to play the game, such as using different types of balls or creating unique obstacles for the ball to go through. This can help make the game more engaging and fun for everyone involved.

Back to top

1. Question: What was your experience playing beverage pong? This question can help facilitators understand how participants felt during the icebreaker and whether they enjoyed it.
2. Question: How did you feel about the rules of the game? Were there any that you found challenging or confusing? This question can help facilitators gauge the clarity of the instructions and identify any areas where participants may have struggled.
3. Question: Did you find it easy to work in a team, if applicable? Why or why not? This question can provide insight into participants’ teamwork skills and help facilitators understand how they can improve collaboration in future activities.
4. Question: How did you feel about the use of beverages in the game? Did it affect your experience in any way? This question can help facilitators understand whether the use of beverages, alcoholic or non-alcoholic, had an impact on participants’ enjoyment of the icebreaker.
5. Question: Would you play beverage pong again in the future? Why or why not? This question can provide insight into participants’ overall satisfaction with the icebreaker and help facilitators determine whether to include it in future events.

Back to top