# Who Invented Beer Pong A History Of America's Greatest Bar Game *By James Hills — Updated August 2021* Written by: [James Hills](https://menwhoblog.com/james-hills.html) Last Updated: 15 August 2021 Top BlogHits: 9142Reading time: 03:20 Beer pong is a ubiquitous sight at college parties, sporting event tailgates, and bars. We've enjoyed it in dank frat house basements, at see on cruise ships, and even visited a "Beer Pong Arena" at a Casino in Reno, Nevada! This is a beloved drinking game where ping pong balls are tossed across a table into cups of beer has become a standard rite of passage for many a university student. However, to think that an obession with beer pong begins and ends in college would be to ignore the fascinating history of this sport. ### Cruise Ship Wedding Guest Guide: 8 Things to Know Before You Sail Cruise ship wedding guest guide: what men need to know about packing formalwear, cabin booking, gift logistics, and making the most of a destination wedding at sea. ManTripping [Read More](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/go/ByKh9tTPwuchDRRGpDh0IA.1042) ### Egypt's Red Sea Resorts: Dive, Golf, and Desert Thrills for a Guys Trip Men's guide to Egypt beach resorts: Red Sea adventures, luxury all-inclusive stays, and desert excursions. Experience championship golf and nightlife in Sharm El Sheikh. Perfect for groups seeking adventure and relaxation. ManTripping [Read More](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/go/ByKh9tTPwuchDRRGpDh0IA.1107) ### Cruise Ship Wi-Fi Explained for First-Time Cruisers First-time cruiser connectivity made simple: ship Wi-Fi versus cellular day passes, which cruise lines include internet, security considerations for banking, and practical strategies to match your usage without overspending. CruiseWestCoast [Read More](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/go/ByKh9tTPwuchDRRGpDh0IA.379) ### Ultimate Guys Football Weekend in Detroit: Lions, Tailgating, and Motor City Madness Experience the ultimate guys weekend in Detroit with this 3-day itinerary built around a Lions game at Ford Field. Discover downtown accommodations, tailgating spots, local eats, and Motor City attractions. ManTripping [Read More](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/go/ByKh9tTPwuchDRRGpDh0IA.1485) ### Bachelor Party Ideas In Dubai Men's guide to Dubai bachelor parties: Ultimate luxury experiences from desert safaris to yacht charters. Experience skydiving and exotic car racing. Perfect for groups seeking premium adventures in this opulent destination. ManTripping [Read More](https://ads.flowmediamarketing.com/go/ByKh9tTPwuchDRRGpDh0IA.1100) Promoted by FlowAds ## Beer Pong As A Professional Sport Rising through the ranks of global acceptance, the first World Series of Beer Pong (WSOBP) was held in Nevada in 2006. There has been a WSOBP tournament each year since then except for 2020 which was postponed due to the COVID 19 crisis, conclusively proving that the pandemic really has pervaded every aspect of our world’s social structure. The world of beer pong has a cult following of presumably bored adults who hotly contest the origins of their beloved pastime. One agreed upon principle of beer pong is that it originated from college youths in the United States, but that is where the consensus ends. ## Who Invented Beer Pong? One theory posits that beer pong was invented in the 1950s at Dartmouth, though in the early game days it was more like ping pong in that it used paddles and a net. This belief is widely regarded as truth and beer pong remains a tenant within Dartmouth culture today. But some beer pong purists dispute the fact that true beer pong uses paddles or nets. In the other corner of beer pong enthusiasts, we have the 1970s traditionalists who theorize the game as we know it was actually started at Bucknell, then later perfected at Lehigh College. This is when the paddles were relieved of their duty and as such, a more modern version of beer pong was born. This facet of beer pong canon believes this is the true origin of our precious modern game. There is also a third group of beer pong aficionados that call the game, confusingly, Beirut. This faction of beer pong believers could be presumed to have traced origins of the game to Lebanon based on the name, but no. There is great mystery surrounding why the name Beirut has stuck to the game of beer pong for some, but it arose in the 1980s and perhaps a group of beer swilling intellectuals wanted to shed light onto the Lebanese Civil War taking place at that time. The war did widely utilize mortar fire, so perhaps that was inspiration enough for the name. We simply may never know. ## Beer Pong Variations Around The World As a game, beer pong has worked its way into cultures around the world with variations in rules that often irk beer pong originalists in the United States. In some countries the game doesn’t even resemble our version of beer pong but used it as a jumping-off point for their own twist on the sport. For example, our neighbors to the north have adapted the US version of beer pong into a similar concept called “alchohockey” in which an air hockey table is used, and pucks are shot at the cups. Though this game would never make the cut to be called beer pong, the inspiration is clearly there. The omnipresence of aiming for alcoholic beverages to force opponents to consume more than you suggests this pastime, in one form or another, will continue to endure. Whether you call it beer pong, Beirut, or the adapted alcohockey, and whether you fall into the Dartmouth or Bucknell camps, you can be certain that beer pong arose from college culture. Much like other alcohol-centric games, it will forever be a collective memory for anyone who experienced university life and will continue to be a thorn in the side of Deans and college administrators for generations to come. **Hey James Hills wants you to share this!**   --- [Follow me on Facebook (opens in new window)](https://facebook.com/mantripping)[Follow me on X (opens in new window)](https://twitter.com/mantripping)[Follow me on Instagram (opens in new window)](https://instagram.com/mantripping)[Follow me on LinkedIn (opens in new window)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameshills2/)[PLG_FIELDS_OCHFOLLOWME_ARIA_NOTSUPPORTED](https://www.mantripping.com)   Written by: [James Hills](https://menwhoblog.com/james-hills.html) #MenWhoBlog MemberBlog MasterThought Leader James' passion for exploration and sense of duty to his community extends beyond himself. This means he is dedicated to providing a positive role model for other men and especially younger guys that need support so that they can thrive and be future positive contributors to society. This includes sharing wisdom, ideas, tips, and advice on subjects that all men should be familiar with, including: family travel, men's health, relationships, DIY advice for home and yard, car care, food, drinks, and technology. Additionally, he's a travel advisor and a leading men's travel influencer who has been featured in media ranging from New York Times to the Chicago Tribune, and LA Times. He's also been cited by LA Weekly "Top Travel Bloggers To Watch 2023" and featured by Muck Rack: "Top 10 Outdoor Journalists for 2022". He and his wife Heather live in St Joseph, Michigan - across the lake from Chicago. ### Cruises and Resorts Thinking about a cruise or all-inclusive resort vacation? We can help you plan your dream getaway ... [Click Here](https://menwhoblog.com) ### Testing Out Cellular At Sea On Our Recent Canadian Cruise A few months back, I set sail on a 7-day cruise aboard the Norwegian Getaway with my buddy James from ManTripping.com, and unlike most of my normal tropical getaways, this time we decided to head north, visiting some of the most scenic ports along the Eastern… [Read More ...](https://menwhoblog.com/blog/testing-out-cellular-at-sea-on-our-recent-canadian-cruise.html) ### Products & Gear For Men ### Step2 Contemporary Builders Kids Bedroom Set: Block-Inspired Furniture Your Kids Will Love Most people know Step2 for their outdoor gear - the water tables, playhouses, and yard toys that hold up through three hard summers without cracking. What's easier to overlook is that they bring that same build quality indoors. Their Contemporary Builders… [Read More ...](https://menwhoblog.com/blog/step2-contemporary-builders-kids-bedroom-set-block-inspired-furniture.html) ### Related Articles #### Scotland Banned Golf 3 Times, GOLF Isn't an Acronym, and 8 Other Facts Most Men Get Wrong [Scotland Banned Golf 3 Times, GOLF Isn't an Acronym, and 8 Other Facts Most Men Get Wrong](https://menwhoblog.com/blog/facts-about-golf-that-most-men-dont-know-but-probably-should.html) #### Before You Book a Tee Time, Read This: A Beginner's Guide to Not Embarrassing Yourself on the Course [Before You Book a Tee Time, Read This: A Beginner's Guide to Not Embarrassing Yourself on the Course](https://menwhoblog.com/blog/golf-tips-tricks-and-gear-for-beginner-golfers.html) #### Why Dads Should Play Golf: 7 Statistics That Prove It's More Than Just a Game [Why Dads Should Play Golf: 7 Statistics That Prove It's More Than Just a Game](https://menwhoblog.com/blog/why-dads-should-play-golf.html) #### 6 Ways to Transform Your Backyard Into a Golf Paradise [6 Ways to Transform Your Backyard Into a Golf Paradise](https://menwhoblog.com/blog/how-to-turn-your-yard-into-a-golf-course.html) - [Login](https://menwhoblog.com/log-in.html) - [For Brands](https://menwhoblog.com/capabilities.html) - [Content Marketing](https://menwhoblog.com/content-marketing-services/content-marketing.html) - [** Privacy Policy](https://menwhoblog.com/privacy-policy.html) - [** Events](https://menwhoblog.com/upcoming-events.html) - [** Search](https://menwhoblog.com/smart-search.html) - [**](https://menwhoblog.com/sitemap.html) - [** Contact Us](https://menwhoblog.com/contact-us.html) - [** Pitch Portal](https://menwhoblog.com/pitchportal.html) - [List of Giveaways](https://menwhoblog.com/list-of-giveaways.html?view=giveaways) - [Test Giveaway](https://menwhoblog.com/test-giveaway.html?view=giveaway&id=1) ### Connect With Us: - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC73Mim8Djl8v43OweTNaing?sub_confirmation=1) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/menwhoblog/) - [Twitter](http://twitter.com/menwhoblog) - [Facebook Page](http://facebook.com/menwhoblog) - [Facebook Group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/221775444677338/) Make sure to tag us and use #MenWhoBlog on Instagram or Twitter for a chance to be featured on our handles. ### Media, Guest Posts and Speaking: #MenWhoBlog leaders are available for guest posts, podcasts, or to speak with media or at conferences. --- *Source: [Who Invented Beer Pong A History Of America's Greatest Bar Game](https://menwhoblog.com/blog/who-invented-beer-pong.html)* **Tags:** Sports, History