The World Series of Beer Pong
January 6, 2010
Beer Pong.
It seems like a ridiculous sport, but let’s face it … most sports are ridiculous.
Hell, I played basketball for many years, and even I concede that it doesn’t make a large amount of sense. You attempt to throw an orange ball through a cylinder while avoiding “defenders” who aren’t allowed to touch you.
Why?
I don’t know. Because that’s what the guy who invented the game said to do.
How about baseball?
Try to throw a small sphere past a guy without letting him hit it, while making sure you give him a good chance to hit it. If you really need to get the ball past him, why not just throw it 10 feet over his head and be done with it?
Then there’s the most absurd professional game of all … golf. Hit a tiny ball, chase it, hit it again, chase it, hit it again, chase it, hit it into a small cup and start over — all while carrying 14 unique and different objects with which to hit the ball away from yourself.
Given the sheer pointlessness of most sports, the rising popularity of Beer Pong should come as little surprise to anyone.
2010 World Series of Beer Pong at The Flamingo
2010 World Series of Beer Pong at The Flamingo
2010 World Series of Beer Pong at The Flamingo
2010 World Series of Beer Pong at The Flamingo
For those who are unaware, Beer Pong is a very simple drinking game. A long table is set up with cups arranged like bowling pins on each end of the table. Each cup is then filled about halfway to the top with beer. Teams stand on opposite ends of the table, and attempt to throw a ping-pong ball into the opposing team’s cup. If they are successful, a member of the opposing team must consume the beer and the cup is removed from the table. The first team to eliminate their opponent’s cups wins.
To put this into even simpler terms, the objective of the game is to throw a ping-pong ball into a plastic cup. And to get drunk. Not necessarily in that order.
When I first learned that the WSOBP was coming to The Strip, I was hesitant. I had seen this game played at O’Sheas, and while somewhat amusing to watch, it was certainly not compelling.
Still, it was the World Series of Beer Pong. “World Series” of anything implies the highest level of skill and competition. Because of this, I was intrigued.
When I arrived at the event in the Flamingo Convention Hall, I was surprised at just how organized it appeared to be. There was a scoreboard, bleachers, and even a television camera crew. There was a “featured” table in the middle of the room on which the primary competitors played in front of the cameras, and about 10 more clustered tables to the side.
Everywhere you looked, people were either playing the game, or cheering for their favorite “athletes”.
Now, it would be easy for me to rag on the Beer Pong participants and spectators, but nobody goes to the World Series of Beer Pong expecting high culture.
Sure, I could say that there were more douches under one roof than a Massengill factory, I could say that watching this event was like watching the Extra Special Olympics — but that would be insulting and I refuse to lower myself to that level.
I do have a couple of observations, however.
- Even though 99% of the participants were White or Asian — Rap was the only genre of music that was played during the course of the entire event. There was not one rock song, not one country song, no polka and no classical. It was rap, rap, and only rap. I cannot explain this. Don’t get me wrong, I like rap (albeit only that made prior to 1999) … but it seemed a bit out of place in this venue.
- Everyone was a wankster. All of the white guys thought they were black. This might explain the saturation of rap music. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many obviously-privileged guys (real ghetto bastards can’t afford to attend Beer Pong tournaments in Vegas) acting and speaking like they were from Queensbridge. This behavior is the modern day version of blackface. It’s like pulling your eyes into a slit and yelling “ching chang chong” in Chinatown. If I were a black person, I might be offended. I can’t help but wonder if these guys would pull the same act in Watts, or if they would roll up their windows and hit the gas. I suspect the latter.
- Backward and/or sideways baseball caps. What the hell? Seriously, I don’t get it. I understand hats for long hair, fashion, and/or utilitarian reasons, but why sideways? I suppose it protects one ear from getting sunburned, but I’m otherwise perplexed.
- When did knit caps become frat-fashionable? Is there anything these guys have not co-opted? I may have to consider getting a haircut and shedding my own cap. I’ve been wearing one for 30 years, but now I feel so … violated.
- Why are college students so obsessed with beer? It’s a crude beverage anyone can buy in 7-11. Whoop de shit. I don’t see the big deal or the fascination. At their age, shouldn’t they have already moved on to Cocaine Pong?
These lingering questions aside, I watched the various games, talked to some of the players and spectators, and observed the human zoo that unfolded before me.
After the round was over, I made my way out of the Flamingo Convention Halls. It was entertaining on some level I suppose.
Another side of me was concerned, however.
Almost everyone I met in this particular event was a college student, and almost every person I spoke with seemed a little dull-witted. I’m not trying to be an elitist prick, but the premise of higher education is that it … well … produces educated people.
I was aware that in 1-4 years, each and every person at this event would be trotting off into the real world with an expensive piece of paper that assured potential employers that they were the best of the best. The college educated.
As such, these are the very people that we will be entrusting our money, health, and well-being to when we are in our 50’s and beyond. They will be our bank managers and our computer technicians. These are tomorrow’s professionals. Our politicians. Our experts.
If that doesn’t strike fear into your heart, nothing will.
Anyway, the World Series of Beer Pong is now in the books, and the members of the prevailing team are now $50,000 wealthier.
Since I only stuck around for about an hour, I didn’t get to see who actually won the competition. I’m not even sure it matters. If you’ve seen one ghetto white guy with a sideways baseball cap, you’ve seen them all.
Peace out gangsta.
Written by ColinFromLasVegas on January 6, 2010 at 4:38 am
Yeah. I agree. Sounds like an incredible dumb game. But I guess when you drink massive quantities of alchol, what the hell.
Beer Pong just ain’t a sport that attracts cheerleaders with pom poms that go…..
“Rickum! Rackum! Ruckum! Let’s get out there and….um…let’s get out there and….um….FIGHT!”
I guess the more you drink, the better you look like you know what the hell yer doin’, I guess. To me it don’t look like a game of skill. More like a sideshow thing in a carnival where no matter how hard you try, you can’t get pinpoint accuracy to win that damn kewpie doll for yer date. Guess I’m old fashioned….
I really think I’ll pass on this future bit of Americana sport though. Because if rap music comes with it and is obligatory, um….no thanks. I can’t handle that. I’ll stick with the Superbowl. And anyways, I wear ball caps, but I’m sorry, but I really, really don’t know how to wear them backwards or sideways or upsidedown or shoved into my crotch or in the crack of my ass in my pants or however yer sposed to wear ‘em to supposed look cool and with it. Just me, I guess.
Written by J-Kwon on January 6, 2010 at 4:43 am
Vegas Rex just don’t understand.
Written by Tyler Durden on January 6, 2010 at 4:53 am
I wear my baseball hat backwards, I guess I’m a douche too.
Written by Team Valtrex on January 6, 2010 at 4:53 am
I think it’s pretty sad that they’re all being unique and special by wearing their hats sideways and their pants halfway down their legs. It was a fashion statement when that first guy did it 24 years ago, now the only statement it makes is “I’m too stupid to operate basic clothing”. How confused would they get if someone gave them a cumberbund or a shirt with buttons? It’s a sad state of affairs when today’s youth are outsmarted by their Garanimals.
Written by Rex on January 6, 2010 at 5:00 am
I wear my baseball hat backwards, I guess I’m a douche too.
Don’t feel bad. We’re all douchebags to someone.
Written by Phouchg on January 6, 2010 at 6:12 am
I remember doing this with my roommates in 1987 at our shithole apartment 2 blocks off campus. A mildly entertaining diversion for a Thursday night.
But if you would have told me I could have won $50,000 doing this, I would have looked at you as if you were out of your gourd.
What’s next? The World Quarters Championship? The “Hi, Bob” olympics?
Written by Rory L. Aronsky on January 6, 2010 at 1:19 pm
“As such, these are the very people that we will be entrusting our money, health, and well-being to when we are in our 50’s and beyond. They will be our bank managers and our computer technicians. These are tomorrow’s professionals. Our politicians. Our experts.
If that doesn’t strike fear into your heart, nothing will.”
I watched the video with an increasingly sickening dread. I imagine the spelling of our country will change too: “Da U Nitted Sates of [the only word to be spelled correctly] Uhmeruh…fuck it. Let’s just end it with Bro or Yo or some shit like that.”
Written by james on January 6, 2010 at 10:56 pm
Beer pong is fun when bored with friends, but making a spectator sport out of it further our country towards Idiocracy.
Rex, was the event parking lot full of lifted trucks without any dirt on them?
Written by keith on January 6, 2010 at 11:13 pm
i think i’m going to start a new trend – wearing a cowboy hat sideways while listening to polka music. anyone else who shares my visionary ideals for cultural trends can jump on board now, or forever be referred to as a poseur.
Written by Ron from MI on January 7, 2010 at 5:47 am
I don’t get this shit…..
I mean, by judging this event, what a waste of time, money, effort, and (most important) location. To me, if I wanted something like this, I’d do it at my home, apartment, or frat house, where I live. i would NOT get on a plane or dump fuel in the car just to rent convention space at the Flamingo for the sake of douchebag galore and “air-rapping” (I made that up; that’s equivilant to “air-guitar.” )
A few years ago, I watched a program on TV where they filming at Mandalay Bay a Rock-Siscors-Paper Tournament. Same appeal, same crowd. I got bored real quick. The only difference was no rap music was playing in the background.
And besides, that dude at 0:29….. what the hell is he doing? Gonna kick sombodys ass, working out for the UFC, or working out for the new Cirque show? Which is it?
And if this event trying to be a follow up, wannabe, new generation version of the Rat Pack there at the Flamingo…forget it. It ain’t happening!
And get some real girls in the crowd; the few in this crowd are too damn average. it’s a damn sausage factory.C’mon! No Vegas event should be without real girls. PERIOD!
Even the “bitches and hos” are with the “bros and pimps” at the “trendy” nightclubs. (Do they THINK they’re going to be in a nightclub? Forget it! Not in that place they ain’t!)
Again, I don’t get this shit.
BTW….even though I get the joke, what’s up with the Wynn clips recently?
Written by Gary on January 7, 2010 at 6:30 pm
I have been working for this all year long at http://www.beerpongleagues.com in San Diego. Beer Pong is a sport…
Written by Rory L. Aronsky on January 7, 2010 at 11:54 pm
I’ll assume that “dot dot dot” is meant to be giggles of derision.
Written by mad dog on January 10, 2010 at 6:07 am
I now concede that I was wrong.
I can’t see why The Hangover should not have grossed $2 billion at the box office.
Written by Peter on January 18, 2010 at 12:02 am
As one of the competitors, I take offense to some of the wild generalizations made both by Rex, and then by some of these comments. The music played isn’t a reflection of everyone there – it’s the DJ’s choice (and DJ Whoo Kid, of mild fame with a commercially successful rap group, is not about to stray from his forte). I talked to plenty of people who would’ve been thrilled for a change in music.
The population breakdown includes plenty of lawyers, accountants, and engineers. Of course, not everyone is college educated, but how is that any different from the full population? Rory – I’m pretty sure you don’t have to be concerned about the uneducated becoming your mutual fund manager.
The event is simply a melding of a big party and that of serious competition. The party atmosphere is what let’s people let loose, enjoy the camaraderie between like-minded people from across the county, and if nothing else – drink. The prize money is what draws people in, and what helps motivate people to take it seriously. The competition brings out the heated emotions that are shown on the video. Most of the finalists treat the game like they would any other sport, and practice hard to make the final day. Not everyone will see it that way, but I found it necessary to let my response be known.
- Peter
http://www.socalbeerpong.com
Written by MillerTime on March 1, 2010 at 4:41 am
It seems you beat maxim magazine to the punch. their march issue has a rather large article about this event in it. makes it sound 100 percent legit