Beer Pong Table Designs: How to Make a Beer Pong Table

What is Beer Pong?

Beer pong is an increasingly popular college/party game, which is played with a table, cups of beer and a ping pong ball. There are two teams, usually comprising two players per team. Between 6 to 10 cups, filled 1/4 to 1/3 full of beer, are set in a triangle formation at each end of the table. Each player must aim to land the ball in the other teams beer cups. The order of play may be such that both players on one team shoot, followed by both players on the other team, or players on opposite teams can alternate. Every time a ball lands in a cup, the cup is eliminated and the team which it belongs to must empty that cup of all its beer (drink the beer). Eventually, the team that loses must consume all the beer remaining in the winning team's cups. There are no official rules, and rules vary from one situation to another.

While beer pong tables are available commercially, (you could even order a custom beer pong table), making your own is a fun project. If you choose to build a beer pong table, with the correct supplies and these instructions, the task is a fairly easy one.

How to Make a Beer Pong Table

Supplies Needed:

• Table
• Waterproof sealer
• Plywood
• Paint
• 3 2-by-4 inch boards
• Hammer and Nails

Instructions

1. The first step is to find a table you can use as a base. Regulation beer pong table dimensions are 7.5' in length, 2' in width and 30" in height. A commonly used size is 8 by 4 feet, which we will follow. However, as there aren't a specific set of rules that apply to beer pong, there is also no exact specification of how long is a beer pong table. If you already have kitchen or workshop table (even an old worn one) that you can use, perfect! If you don't, buy a folding table that is cheap or on sale, and you will have a portable beer pong table!
2. You need a sheet of plywood that is the same size as the surface area of your table or bigger. Measure the length and breath of your table and accordingly make markings on the sheet of plywood. If you have the tools, you could cut it yourself. Otherwise you could get it cut by a carpenter. Try to achieve a smooth finish.
3. If the height of the table you are using does not conform with the height that is required by the rules in your area, you could raise the table by piling on a couple of boards. To raise the height, start by cutting at least three pieces of 2-by-4 or 4-by-4 to the same width of your table. Position the boards equally across the table. If required, you can stack and nail together multiple pieces of 2-by-4 till you achieve the desired height. As the rules differ from one area to another, you may need a table anywhere between the height of 27.5 to 45 inches.
4. Now draw the demarcation lines on the ply. Three basic lines govern the table: a mid line that divides the table in half, and the foul lines that are a foot from the edge of each side of the table. You could draw on the lines using oil paint or markers.
5. Now come the fun part - decorating the table. To get inspired, conduct a little research on beer pong table designs, or better yet, incorporate your favorite themes to produce a one of a kind table. An easy way to do this is to decorate it with stickers. However, if you are gifted, let the ply be your canvas.
6. One of the final steps in making your beer pong table is to waterproof the plywood. The very nature of the game dictates that beer or water will be spilled on it. For this reason, it is a good idea to coat the surface of the table with a waterproof sealer. This will preserve the wood, making your table last longer.
7. It is now time to assemble your table. Set up the table you're using as a base, place the set of three 2-by-4 boards evenly across the table and top it with the sheet of plywood. Your beer pong table is ready for playing.

My hope is that these instructions on how to construct a beer pong table, have successfully translated into your very own beer pong table. Beer pong is a hoot and the best part is that you can make your own rules, as there are no hard and fast predetermined rules. However, if it is not exciting enough, you could play beer pong in a swimming pool, on an inflatable beer pong table. Once again, you don't need to buy one, but follow instructions on how to make a floating beer pong table, to make your own. Dress it up with beer pong table designs and you have the perfect accessory for your next pool party.