The quick answer: a standard beer pong game uses 10 cups per side, so 20 cups on the table, plus a rinse cup at each end. That is 22 cups total. Here is the full breakdown for every format.
Cups by format
| Format | Cups per side | Total on table | Plus rinse cups |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 10 | 20 | +2 |
| Short game | 6 | 12 | +2 |
| Party / big | 15 | 30 | +2 |
| 1 giant cup add-on | +1 | +2 |
The standard 10-cup rack
Ten cups form a triangle: four across the back, then three, then two, then one pointing at your opponents. It is the tournament standard and the layout almost everyone means when they say beer pong.
The 6-cup short game
Six cups per side (a smaller triangle of three, two, one) makes for a faster game and less beer per round. Good for a quick match or when you want more games in a night.
Do not forget rinse cups
Keep one cup of clean water at each end to rinse the ball between throws. It is not part of the rack but you need it, so add two to your total.
Frequently asked questions
How much beer goes in each cup?
Split about two to three standard beers across the ten cups per side. Each cup only needs a small pour, since the losing team drinks a lot of cups over a game.
What size cups should I use?
16 oz red cups are the standard. They hold the rack shape well and are the size tournaments use.
