Bounce catch focus...

On Saturday I described the evolution of a drinker. Today I'd like to continue on the same general topic. Everyone, from the two beer queer to the alcoholic uncle to the panty dropping lush all have one thing in common: a favorite drinking game. Some, such as asshole and beer pong, are universally known. Sure there might be slight variations here and there (ie. New Hampshire has both beer pong (bounce the ball) and beirut (throw the ball), but the general principals are the same.

In any case, today I would like to rank MY Top 3 Underrated Beer Drinking Games. So the two examples above are obviously out. One prerequesite I have is that in MY drinking games there has to be some sort of skill involved. That eliminates games like Circle of Death, High/Low, Kings, 3 Man, and Movie Drinking Games (ie. Cannonball Run). Also keep in mind that these are only games that I have played. So beer pong with paddles is out. As is a wonderful game called hockey, but that's really only because I forget the rules (and this isn't a Top 4 list). So here we are...from 3 to 1...

3. Flip Cup
Also known as Up and Down the River, Flip Cup has been around for quite some time, but doesn't really get it's just due. It combines a basic skill (flipping a cup over), with drinking, in a team atmosphere. While beer pong team can be carried by one player, a flip cup team can be destroyed by a single individual.

An interesting, modern variation of this game is called Survivor. The basic principles are the same with the following twist: at the end of every round the losing side has to vote off a team member. So say the game starts off 5 on 5. Team A loses the first round so they must get rid of a player. They still have to drink & flip five cups, but only have four members to do so. This obviously becomes extremely tough as the game wears on and there's only one member left.

2. Speed Quarters
The first time I played this game was on the campus of NHC way back in the Spring of 2000. I was just a punk high school senior visiting my brother for a week. In any case, that was the first time I played. It would be 7 years later until I would have the opportunity to play it again. That's why it's on this list.

Here's the basic idea. A bunch of people sit around a table. There are two glasses/mugs that start at opposite ends (a third can be added if there are a lot of people). Bounce the quarter off the table and into the drinking instrument. Do that and you pass the glass/mug to your right. You don't want to get caught with more than one glass (aka "capped")

In the two different groups that I've played this game with there were two different sets of rules, but again the premise is the same. Here are the differences...

Group A uses shot glasses.
Group B uses coffee mugs
Group A says if you get it in on the first shot you can pass your glass to anybody at the table (except for the other shooter).
Group B says if you get it in on the first shot you can pass it to the person immediately to your left or to your right (and you CAN cap).

Those are the simple differences. One requires more skill (Group A). One requires more drinking (Group B). Both are fun. Both are unappreciated. Almost as unappreciated as...

1. Beer Die
Here's the mack daddy of drinking games. In most games the losing team is the one that drinks. In this game losing and drinking have absolutely nothing to do with each other. But the real reason this is #1? It takes skill, hand/eye coordination, and a certain athleticism. Unlike beer pong, quarters, and a bunch of other games...the drunker you get the worse you'll get. Also, this game is one where, for whatever reason, guys have an advantage of girls. Now onto the rules...

What you need: Table (usually 8'x4'...but it can be played on bigger or smaller. Not shorter than 6'). 4 chairs (2 at each end). 4 cups (Solo cups, coffee mugs, old NHC Coca-Cola cups, etc). Die (preferably more than one in case you lose it). Beer.

Rules: First team to 7 points wins. Must win by two. Instead of flipping a coin, one team rolls the die and a member of the other team calls odds or even. This determines which team shoots first.

The Shot: All four players must be in their seats when the shot is taken. The first player will shoot it underhand. In order to be an official shot the die must first hit on the other half of the table (unless it hits the cup) and must be so high (depends on how low the ceiling is...but no line drives). If the die hits the table, bounces off, and the opposing team does not catch it before it hits the floor that's one point. If the die goes into one of the other team's cups (either on the fly or by a bounce) that counts as two points. These are the only ways to score points.

Defense: The other team throws the die and it hits the table. You or your partner have to catch the die before it hits the ground. Unfortunately it's harder than it sounds. You can only catch that die with one hand. You cannot hit it with one hand and catch it with the other. Likewise it cannot hit off any other body part of yours or your partner's. The die, also, cannot be trapped against your body (in certain circles women have been allowed to do this for competitive balance).

When to Drink: First, if your partner drinks for any "official" reason, you must drink as well. You are, after all, a team. But if your partner drinks on their own (ie. unrelated to game rules) then you do not need to drink...but it's frowned upon. Now, you have to drink if your team gives up a point/points. You must drink if your team throws the die and it stays on the table. If there's a 4 on the die then everyone drinks. You must drink if you or your teammate drops the die on the floor). You must drink if you miss the table. You must drink if your shot is not high/long enough.

Full Contact: Finally, here are two rules that the ladies don't really like. Here's the first. Team A tosses the die and the die hits off the lip of the cup. Team B's player catches that die off of that lip. In one fluid motion that player can fire that die as quickly (and as hard) as they can at their opponents. The key phrase there is "one fluid motion." You can't wind up and launch it. If you don't throw it right when you catch it you can't throw it (newbies have a hard time with this. By the time they realize they can throw it it's too late). Team A, realizing that the player catches it, should dive for cover as soon as possible (again, this is where you can find the newbies. They'll sit there blankly and get hit right between the eyes).

And rule number two (which led to my most memorable Beer Die moment). Team A throws the die. It hits off the base of the cup and comes onto Team A's side of the table. Team B is still responsible to catch that die if it should fall off the table. However, as soon as a member of Team A crosses Team B's side of the table, they're fair game. Hip checks, boxing out, slapping away hands...you name it and it's probably legal. Just like professional wrestling, however, closed punches and low blows are not permitted.


I'm sure that was a long read, but hopefully you enjoyed it. And hopefully we'll be able to play a few of these games together in the future. Next time? My most memorable Beer Die moment. And it has nothing to do with how I earned the nickname "Tentacles."