Beer die

Beer Die is a gentleman's drinking game. Standard rules call for four players, a die, table, four cups, and beer. Unlike most beer-based games, drinking and scoring are unrelated.

Origins

While numerous colleges claim to have invented the game, it is generally believed it was first played at Colby College, Waterville Maine.

Rules

Always verify rules with your fellow players before playing, as rules can differ from group to group of beer die competitors.

The Table

The table is a piece of plywood measuring 8 feet (2.4 m) long and 4 feet (1.2 m) wide, supported by legs at the corners at a comfortable height for the players when sitting. Both size and surface type affect game play; a harder surface will cause the die to bounce more. The ideal beer die table is the classic 8' banquet table, made of wood.

• Example Beer Die table from PSK at RPI
  Example Beer Die table from PSK at RPI
• Artist Bradley Paul Ash
  Artist Bradley Paul Ash

The Die

The die used is a normal six-sided die.

The Cups

Cups must be able to hold one twelve ounce beer and be hard enough so that a die hitting the cup will not likely break it. 16 oz hard plastic "keg" cups work quite well. "Solo" or "Dixie" brand cups are preferred.

Basic rules

Four players form two teams of two players each. The teams sits across from each other at opposite ends of the table. The four cups are filled with beer and set at "regulation" positions: each player sets his or her cup on the table by placing his or her elbow on the corner of the table, laying his/her arm flat, palm down. The cup is placed in the crook in the hand between the thumb and pointer finger. The oldest player goes first, and the person on the opposite team sitting diagonal to the oldest player goes second.

Teams alternate throwing the die across the table. If players forget the order of play, one can claim "possession" by tapping the table twice with the die. Another popular method of playing is whoever catches the die throws the die next for his team. It is common to 'fake' the other team out by pretending to throw the die while his teammate has it. Players must throw from a sitting position. Players are not allowed to cross the vertical plane defined by the end of the table when throwing.

At no point during play is any player allowed to stand. As noted above, all throws must be made from a sitting position. Players on the defensive are allowed to leave their seats only in a "diving" attempt to catch the die. Players are allowed to stand during any drinking or any other "dead die" situation.

The player throwing the die must throw towards the cup of the player opposite them. Sometimes the person in possession of the die chooses which cup to aim for. The player cannot throw until the player catching the die signals he is ready.

If at any point a cup is not in the regulation position, play cannot continue. Using this rule, timeout can be called by removing your cup from position or "stepping out of the box."

Games are played to buzz (seven) points and must be won by two. In the case of a shutout (buzz to 0) the losers must finish two full beers.

The words "five" or "seven" may not be uttered during game play by participants. Any infraction or error results in a penalty. One of the side-objects is one player to get another player to say the number. Only "bizz" and "buzz" may be said. This rule also applies to all areas of numbers during a game. For example, one may not say the time is "two twenty-five." Instead, he must say "two twenty-bizz." However, since the word fifty does NOT contain the word five in it, you can say fifty without penalty, so "four-fifty" is still legal. Seventy is pronounced buzzety.

Scoring

A team scores a point when one of its players makes a throw in which all of these requirements are met:

1. Is underhand (or overhand depending on the version of Beer Die you play)
2. Reaches a certain height (approximately 6 feet (1.8 m) above the table height -or- As high as the table is long
3. Bounces on the table
4. Goes off the end of the table (not off the side)
5. Lands finally on the ground

The other team is allowed to play defense. As soon as the die has bounced or rolled off the table, they are allowed to try to catch it with one hand. The die may be juggled between hands, and other body parts can be used in an attempt to catch it, but the die must come to a rest in one hand. Body traps are not allowed, and result in a point for the opposing team. The die is still in play and can still be caught until it either hits the ground, or stops moving. Sometimes there is a house rule in which only female participants are allowed to trap.

"Plunking"

If a player manages to land the die in an opposing player's cup, the other team(keeping the die in the beer) must chug the entire beer. This is known as a "plunk". No point is given for a "plunk" and only the beers must be finished. The player that manages a "plunk" would then get to add their name to the table, or add a tally mark under their name if it is already on the table. The game then continues as it had before the "plunk."

Plunking brings a unique reward. The player who threw the plunk gets to write his/her name on the table and start a hash mark count of their plunks. In some places when you plunk for the first time, the player is given a "die-name" by all the veterans of the game. The player is required to use this name at this table and every other one until the player plunks 100 times. At this point they may elect for a new "die-name." Any player guilty of a self-plunk must strip completely naked and remain that way for the rest of the game

A Plunk's A Plunk

Regardless of the source, intention, or target of a plunk, it always counts (even if the throw would not have been high enough to score a point).

Die Names and Plunking

In the original Beer Die, as played at Colby College, when a player plunks for their first time he or she is rewarded their die name. The name is usually a joke name, since it is invented by the other players on the table. The player who plunked then adds their die name to the table and puts a tick under it to signify the plunk. This "die name" will be their name until the end of college, or if the player does not like his or her die name they can change it to what they choose (besides their own name) after 100 plunks on the same table. A player records every following plunk with an additional tick under their name on the table. When playing on a new table, that player will record their plunks under their original given name. Therefore they will end up "tagging" many die tables across campus with their "die name" throughout college.

Plinking

If a player throws a die that touches or bounces off either of the other team's cup, this is known as a "plink" and requires the team's whose cup is hit to take a sip. If a plink occurs the defending team does not need to catch the die.

One of the most fundamental rules of traditional Beer Die is that drinking and scoring points are separate. Thus, once the die plinks the cup, the play is determined dead and no point is scored, regardless of how the die continues to travel.

As with "a plunk's a plunk", the same goes for a plink. Any object/projectile that strikes the beer is a valid plink, resulting in the opposing team sipping his or her beer.

There is, however, one exception to the requirement to drink after a plink. Should a thrown die strike a cup (typically right on its rim), bounce immediately into the air without touching the table, and subsequently be caught, there is no requirement to drink. This is known as "hand-cup-hand". A "hand-cup-hand" can at times require incredibly quick reflexes and therefore commands much respect.

Drinking

Beer Die is a game of team camaraderie. Whenever one person drinks, his or her teammate must drink as well. Both teammates are expected to finish their cups at the same points during the game. As soon as a teams' cups are empty, they get filled again.

Besides the "plink" and "plunk" drinking requirements, players may be forced to drink for several illegal moves, such as:

• Throwing a die that does not hit the table
• Throwing a die that does not reach the minimum height requirement
• Throwing out of turn
• Dropping the die on the ground when it is in your possession between throws ("Sloppy Die")
• Note that there is no requirement to drink if the oppossing team scores a point against you

Out of Bounds

If a throw lands on the table legally, but goes off the table horizontally, this is called an "Out of Bounds", or OB for short.

Low

If the throw is too low (meaning the die does not go as high as the table is long) the other team immediately calls Low, and the throwing team cannot score a point (regardless of whether the other team catches the die). However, the throwing player will get credit for a plunk (and the other team must drink) should the die land in one of the cups.

When playing indoors (under a typical height ceiling) some schools demand that the die must come within about eight inches from the ceiling.

Self Plunk

The most egregious blunder is the self plunk: when the die lands in your or your partner's cup. On a self plunk both you and your partner must finish your beers and play the rest of the game naked.

Cheating

Cheating, such as lying about the score, making a false "low" call, or any line drive throw, is considered very poor sportsmanship and incredibly frowned upon. The game is considered a gentlemans game; treat it as such with proper respect.

Biz Rule

In this version any time the die lands dead on the table with the number "5" face up the team that shot must both finish their beers. Also in this version no one is allowed to say the number "5". It is referred to as biz and anyone that says 5 must drink their entire beer.

Poaching

Poaching involves a partner intentionally and sometimes vigorously catching a die directed at his/her partner. This is most often done to prevent inexperienced or poor partners from costing the team points throughout the match. "Poaching" can lead to partner confusion and collision in an effort to retrieve the die, however the Poach is a valid move.

External links

• Official Beer Die website
• Beer Die instructions
• Official Major League of Beer Die
• Northwest Beer Die website
• UMF Beer Die Website
• Beer Die Premier League