Beyond the Fun: The Hidden Dangers of Drinking Games

We've all been at gatherings where the distinctive sound of a ping pong ball hitting a plastic cup cuts through the music. The social pull of games like beer pong is undeniable, drawing people in with promises of teamwork and lighthearted competition. While watching people play, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement. But the core mechanic of these popular alcohol games isn't about skill—it's about consumption. This article is for anyone who has felt uneasy about the pace of drinking during these activities. We'll explore the hidden dangers, from hygiene concerns to serious health risks.

How Common Are Drinking Games?

An overwhelming majority of Americans—95%—have played a drinking game at some point in their lives, according to an American Addiction Centers online survey of more than 1,000 adults aged 18 and older. There are even drinking games based on movies, such as The Hangover drinking game and the Home Alone drinking game.

While these might seem fun and innocent, they can actually be extremely detrimental to our health—and even result in hospitalization or death. Several years ago, five people died from Neknominate, a drinking game that went viral on social media. What makes drinking games so dangerous? Let's explore further.

Understanding Beer Pong

Beer pong is one of the most recognizable drinking games, a staple at parties and tailgates for decades. At its core, it's a game where two teams compete to throw ping pong balls into their opponent's cups. The game combines hand-eye coordination with a social drinking element, making it a popular icebreaker.

Basic Rules and Objective

The main goal in beer pong is to eliminate all of your opponent's cups before they eliminate yours. This is achieved by successfully tossing a ping pong ball into their cups, forcing them to drink the beer and remove the cup from the table. The game is typically played by two teams of two, taking turns throwing from opposite ends of a long table.

Game Setup and Equipment

To play beer pong, you need a long table, at least 20 plastic cups, two ping pong balls, and beer or another beverage to fill the cups. Each team arranges ten cups in a tight triangle formation at their end of the table. The cups are typically filled about one-third of the way with beer. Some players use a separate cup of water to rinse the ball between throws.

Common Rules and Gameplay

Teams take turns throwing two ping pong balls per turn. When a ball lands directly in a cup, the defending team must drink the beer in that cup and remove it from the table. Different types of shots include arc shots and faster "fastball" shots. If a player bounces the ball on the table before it lands in a cup, it often counts as two cups, though the defending team can swat away bounced balls.

How to Win the Game

Victory in beer pong is straightforward: the first team to make a ball in all of their opponent's cups wins. As cups are removed, the remaining cups are often rearranged into smaller formations. Sometimes, the losing team gets a chance for "redemption," where they keep shooting until they miss.

The History and Culture of Beer Pong

Beer pong traces back to college campuses in the mid-20th century. The original version was played with paddles and is thought to have originated at Dartmouth College in the 1950s. Over time, players ditched the paddles, and the version we know today—sometimes called "Beirut"—spread to other universities. By the 1980s, it had become a fixture in dorm rooms and fraternity houses across the country.

Why We Play Drinking Games

Many people are introduced to drinking games in high school or college as a way to socialize. The idea is to have fun with others by drinking alcohol and engaging in friendly competition. However, what's actually happening is that we're consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. While each game has different rules, the intention is usually the same: to get each other drunk.

Because drinking games are often played in social settings, it's easy to get swept up in peer pressure and excitement—especially for young adults. Research from 2019 found that 60% of 18-34 year olds believe peer pressure to drink is common, with this age group also the most likely to say they have drunk more than expected to "keep up" with others.

Are Drinking Games Actually Dangerous?

While most people think these games are harmless fun, they can be extremely dangerous. They're largely designed to facilitate inebriation by promoting the rapid consumption of large amounts of alcohol. For instance, playing Flip Cup can cause blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to reach .05 in 10 minutes and up to .15 in just 30 minutes. At this level, people can experience amnesia, vomiting, or loss of consciousness.

Beyond the short-term effects of intoxication, other social, health, and safety risks can occur:

• Causes binge drinking: Drinking games are a form of binge drinking, defined as consuming 4 drinks in about 2 hours for women and 5 drinks in about 2 hours for men. This can bring BAC to 0.08, which is considered legally impaired in the U.S.
• Increases risk of alcohol poisoning: Drinking too much in short time spans can lead to alcohol poisoning and hospitalization. Symptoms include vomiting, fainting, low body temperature, irregular breathing, and seizures.
• Promotes risky behavior: Alcohol impairs judgment and lowers inhibitions, increasing the likelihood of fights, drunk driving, unprotected sex, or sexual assault.
• Contributes to alcohol use disorder: Frequent binge drinking increases the risk of developing alcohol use disorder and related health issues.

Hygiene Concerns

When caught up in the fun of a drinking game, hygiene is often overlooked. In games like beer pong, cups sit on tables and balls bounce on floors—surfaces that can be covered in germs. One study even found E. coli in cups used during a game. Players can easily consume harmful bacteria along with their drinks. A simple way to avoid this is to keep a separate, clean cup just for drinking and use the game cups only as targets.

What to Play Instead of Drinking Games

There are plenty of fun alternatives to drinking games:

• Host a board game or card game night
• Organize a trivia night
• Plan outdoor activities like bean bag toss or ultimate frisbee
• Arrange a DIY pizza night

Rethinking Your Next Game Night

Although many of us play drinking games during our younger years, they're far from harmless. Their competitive nature distracts us from knowing how much we're drinking, causing us to consume more than we intend. This increases our risk of accidents, alcohol poisoning, and other harmful consequences.

Drinking alcohol is embedded in our culture, and it's often present at social gatherings. But we can choose not to participate. At Quitemate, we help you rethink your relationship with alcohol and provide tools to navigate social situations without drinking. Even if you're just looking to cut back, Quitemate can help.

Frequently Asked Questions

I only play beer pong occasionally at parties. Is it really that risky?

Yes. The structure of beer pong is designed for rapid consumption. Even one game can meet the definition of binge drinking, which is what makes it risky. The competitive, fast-paced nature makes it hard to track how much you're drinking, and your BAC can rise much faster than you realize.

How can I turn down a game without killing the party vibe?

Be casual and confident. You can say, "I'm going to sit this one out, but I'll be your biggest cheerleader!" or suggest an alternative. Offering to be the DJ, grab snacks, or start a conversation nearby are all great ways to stay social without participating.

Can't I just play with water or another non-alcoholic drink?

Absolutely! This is a fantastic way to join in on the fun without the pressure to drink alcohol. Fill your cups with water, soda, or any other drink you enjoy. This allows you to be part of the social activity without any associated health risks.

The article mentions germs on the ball. Is using a water cup to rinse it off enough?

While rinsing the ball is better than nothing, it doesn't guarantee it's clean. A quick dip in water won't kill bacteria like E. coli. The safest approach is to have a separate, clean cup for your beverage and use the game cups as targets only.

How do I know when a 'fun' game has crossed the line into being dangerous?

Look for signs that the focus has shifted from friendly competition to excessive consumption. If players are slurring words heavily, struggling with balance, getting aggressive, or being pressured to drink when they look unwell, the game has become dangerous. If someone is vomiting, becomes unresponsive, or has irregular breathing, stop immediately and seek medical help.

Key Takeaways

• Drinking games normalize binge drinking by encouraging rapid alcohol consumption
• The competitive nature makes it easy to lose track of your intake and judgment
• You can choose fun alternatives that don't center on alcohol