We realize that there are a kazillion ways of playing this game, with sets of rules, regulations and reasons depending on what part of the country, school, town or even basement that you play in. An honest attempt is being made to consider all rules known and to pick a standard set that are fair and apply to as many athletes as possible. Although no one set of rules is perfect, and you may think that your way of playing is better/more fun/the ultimate, the rules outlined below are our standards, and apply to the ability of most players. We appreciate a location's "house rules" but we wish to keep a standard set of rules for fairness so that everyone can enjoy the game of BarPong. That being said, here are the rules...

1. Drinking: There is NO BEER IN THE CUPS, ever.  No alcohol needs to be consumed to play this game. If you choose to drink while playing, please drink responsibly.
2. Games Start: Any team that fails to arrive to table will be forfeited in 5 minutes for that round.  Substitutes are allowed only if there is an emergency.
3. Shooting: A team must have one shooter per possession.  He/she shoots both balls before the other team shoots. If any shots are made, there is a “Send that shit back” rule,  see below.
4. Leaning: Leaning is permitted so long as both feet remain in contact with the floor until the ball is released. There is no "elbow rule". A player may not use the table as leverage with their non-shooting hand. No contact with the table is allowed at all, or shot is dead.
5. Send That Shit Back: When a player hits any of their shots a “Send-back” is awarded. If a cup is knocked over by a shot, this counts toward a Send-back. If a cup is removed for a reason other than a shot, this does not count toward a bring-back.
6. First Shot: The team who shoots first is decided by coin flip. The team who wins the flip may choose to either a.) shoot ONE ball and choose which side of the table his/her team will play from or b.) allow the other team the first shot, let them choose the side, and shoot the next two shots. 
7. Cups The cups will be of one uniform type for both sides. Cups must be filled with water with approximately 4 oz. The game begins with a 6-cup triangle formation (in some tournaments the consolation bracket may use 4/6/10 cups). The base of the triangle starts 1 inch from the table edge.
8. Re-racks:The cups are to be re-racked at any point during the game when there are 4, 3, 2, and 1 cup(s) remaining. 4 cups must be reformed in a tight, diamond formation. 3 cups must be reformed into a tight, triangle formation. 2 cups must be reformed into a tight, line formation. When 1 cup remains, the team may move the cup to the end, center of the table. Each formation must have the cups closest to the edge of the table within 1 inch of the edge of the table.
9. Out-of-formation Cups: Cups that are leaning or out of line from the triangle formation will be fixed upon request of either team. Neither team may shoot until the cups are reformed.
10. Fallen Cups: Cups that fall over so that a.) the rim touches the table, b.) the cup falls off the table to the floor, or c.) the cup tips over such that a majority of its water spills, either by a legitimate shot or by fault of the player(s), are counted as hit cups. Cups which fall over from other means are returned into play. The final cup is not an exception to this rule. A cup can be caught before it falls and returned into play.
11. Rebuttals: When a team's final cup has been hit, 1 player on that team will have the opportunity to shoot.  ONLY IF they hit the shot, the OTHER player shoots and they alternate if they keep hitting until he/she misses. If the team succeeds in hitting all of his/her opponents remaining cups, the game will go into overtime. A team will have this opportunity regardless of how their cups were hit. Once a cup is missed it is over.
12. Overtime: Overtime will be 2 cup line on each side. The team who hit the last cup first will go first and will receive both balls. Same shooting sequence as rebuttals.  Overtime is sudden death and there are no rebuttals.
13. Hitting Cups: A ball which is shot into a cup is counted regardless of how it gets there. An uncontrolled ball off a shot which goes into a cup is counted. Two consecutive shots in the same cup count as a single shot followed by a wasted shot (does not count as a double-up or game winner). A bounced shot which makes it into a cup only scores that particular cup. Balls that ricochet off of a wall or other permanent manmade structure to not count.
14. Distractions:  All distractions not involving interference with a ball in play are legal! What happens at the bar, stays in bar, and just might end up on BarPong.com after the event!
15. Blowing: There is no blowing or 'fingering' allowed.  See “Interference” below.
16. Game Order: Games will be played in the order specified by the bracket game numbers.
17. Interference: Balls shot by one player that are touched by the opposing player(s) before the ball contact with either a cup or the table, are returned to the shooting player as a re-shot. Intentional interference results in the forfeit of one cup per interfered shot. The team whose shot was interfered with may choose which cup is removed. THE BALL HAS TO HAVE NO CHANCE WHATSOEVER OF GOING IN THE CUP BEFORE IT CAN BE TOUCHED.
18. Distraction: A team may do whatever they feel necessary to prevent the opposing team from making shots except: a.) crossing to the other teams side of the table b.) physically interfering with the opposing teams shot or c.) blocking sight lines to the cup.
19. Officiating: The people in charge of the tournament have the final say in disputes. Unsportsmanlike behavior will be dealt with in a case by case basis. Any team with sufficient disregard for the game or the people around them will forfeit their spot in the tournament. If either player is asked to leave the hosting establishment by the staff, the team will forfeit their spot in the tournament, and all monies paid to join with no refund.
20. Equipment: BJsBeerPong.com is the official table of BarPong.com. The official ping pong ball is a standard 38 mm size. Cups should be Solo-type, 16 oz. cups (although 16 oz clear cups donated by sponsors are acceptable).
21. Gambling: Gambling is strictly prohibited at our events. This is including but not limited to betting money on the outcome of matches or wagering on individual shots. Teams caught gambling will be removed from the tournament.
22. Yankee Fans:  Pay DOUBLE the entry fee for any BarPong event if you are wearing any Yankees gear.  No, we don’t like you, and yes, your team sucks!
23. GAME OVER – when the game completes, loosing team MUST set up the table for the next game, meaning set and fill the cups in formation.  Winning team must check in with the scorer’s table.