Part paddle sport, part party game, Dickpong fuses the skill of pickleball with the antics of beer pong—using DVD cases as paddles and a net set at just the right height. So grab one of your old DVD cases, set up the cups, and let the games begin.
Official Rules of Dickpong
The origins of Dickpong are shrouded in mystery, yet these rules have been upheld with all the reverence a game with this name can hope for. Follow them to keep every game fair, fun, and competitive. Stick to the playbook, and let the games begin.
2.1 DVD Paddles
- Description: Standard DVD cases (with or without discs) are used as paddles.
- Condition: Must be intact without cracks or sharp edges.
- Customization: Players may decorate their DVD cases but cannot alter their size or structure.
2.2 Ping Pong Balls
- Specifications: Standard 40mm white or orange ping pong balls.
2.3 The Net
- Height: Approximately 3 feet from the ground, colloquially known as "dick height."
- Length: Should span the width of the playing area.
- Material: Any standard net (pickleball, badminton) is acceptable.
2.4 Playing Surface
- Dimensions: The court can be up to 20 feet long and 10 feet wide, but it’s flexible. Play wherever you have space—adjust the size to fit your environment.
- Surface Type: Any hard, flat surface, whether you’re indoors or outdoors.
- Markings: Boundary lines can be marked with tape, chalk, or rope.
2.5 Cups and Beverages
- Cups: Standard 16 oz (473 ml) plastic cups.
- Arrangement: Typically arranged in a triangle formation (6 or 10 cups).
- Beverages: Beer is traditional, but any beverage—including non-alcoholic—is acceptable.
3.1 Court Dimensions
- Length: Up to 20 feet (6.1 meters) from baseline to baseline.
- Width: Up to 10 feet (3 meters) from sideline to sideline.
- Service Lines: Optional lines up to 5 feet from the net on each side.
3.2 Setting Up the Net
- Height Adjustment: Ensure the net is securely fastened at "dick height."
- Stability: The net should be taut and not sagging.
3.3 Arranging the Cups
- Formation: Cups are arranged in a tight triangle at the back of each side.
- Positioning: The base of the triangle aligns with the baseline.
- Filling Cups: Use water—no need to drink it unless you trust the floor. But hey, your call.
3.4 Starting Positions
- Teams: Two teams of one or two players each.
- Placement: Players stand behind their cups, within the boundaries of the court.
4.1 Objective
Goal: Rally the ping pong ball with DVD paddles like a game of pickleball Score a point, and you earn a shot at the cups, beer-pong style. The first to sink all the opposing team’s cups wins.
4.2 Serving
- Initiation: Decide who serves first with a coin toss or an eye-to-eye beer pong shot.
- Method: When serving, the player's ball must hit their side of the court before it goes over the net.
- Turn-based Serving: A player continues serving until the opposing team wins a rally and earns the next serve.
4.3 Rallying
- Volleys: Players rally the ball back and forth using their DVD paddles. Each shot must cross the net, similar to ping pong.
- No Hands: Players cannot touch the ball with any part of their body.
- Scoring a Point: Winning a rally earns the player who served a beer pong shot at the cups.
4.4 Scoring
- Cup Removal: When a ball lands in a cup, that cup is removed. The defending players must take a drink of their beverage.
- Multiple Cups: Bounce shots remove two cups. Volley shots remove three cups if you sink the ball during the rally.
- Heating Up: If a player makes two consecutive beer pong shots, they are “heating up.” If they make the next shot, they are “on fire” and can keep shooting until they miss.
- Winning: The first team to eliminate all opponent cups wins the game.
4.5 Re-Racks
- Definition: Rearranging the remaining cups into a new formation.
- Limit: One re-rack per game if playing with six cups. Two re-racks per game if playing with ten cups.
- Timing: Re-racks can only be requested at the beginning of a turn.
4.6 Bounce Shots and Goaltending
- Bounce Shots: Result in the removal of two cups.
- Defensive Swatting: Defending players may swat away bounce shots after the ball contacts the playing surface.
- Goaltending Penalty: If a player interferes with a shot directly aimed at cups, one cup is pulled as a penalty.
5.2 Turn Order
- Alternating Turns: Each time the ball crosses the net, teammates must rotate who makes the next hit.
- Player Rotation: Within teams, players alternate shots each turn.
5.3 Interference
- No Touching: Players cannot touch the ball when it's on the opponent's side.
- Net Contact: Touching the net with any part of the body or paddle results in a fault.
- Penalties: Interference results in loss of turn or cup penalties.
5.4 Penalties
- Foot Faults: Stepping over the baseline during serve results in a warning; subsequent offenses may lead to loss of turn.
- Unsportsmanlike Conduct: May result in warnings, point deductions, or disqualification.
- Equipment Tampering: Altering equipment unfairly leads to immediate disqualification.
5.5 Timeouts
- Allocation: Each team is allowed one 60-second timeout per game.
- Usage: Timeouts can be used for strategy discussions or equipment checks.
6.1 Celebrity Shots
- Definition: Once per game, a team may invite a non-participating person to take a shot.
- Restrictions: Cannot be used during redemption or overtime.
6.2 Redemption
- Opportunity: After the last cup is eliminated, the losing team has a chance to tie by hitting all remaining cups without missing.
- Sequence: Players shoot in the same order as during the game.
6.3 Overtime
- Trigger: Overtime occurs if the final cup is eliminated during a redemption shot.
- Setup: Each team sets up three cups in a triangle formation.
- Gameplay: Normal rules apply; the first team to eliminate the opponent's cups wins.
- Multiple Overtimes: If tied after overtime, repeat the process until a winner is determined.
7.1 Code of Conduct
- Respect: Interact with opponents in a friendly and respectful manner. Avoid offensive or aggressive language.
- Dispute Resolution: Resolve disagreements calmly through discussion. If needed, involve a neutral party for fair rulings.
- Fair Play: Follow the rules, avoid cheating, and show good sportsmanship in both victory and defeat.
8.1 Optional Rules
- Death Cup: If a previously made cup (that hasn't been consumed) is hit again, the game ends immediately.
- Island Rule: Calling "island" allows a player to target a single isolated cup for a bonus. If sunk, two cups are removed.
8.2 Customizations
- Paddle Alternatives: Players may agree to use other items similar in size to DVD cases.
- Net Adjustments: Teams can agree on net height modifications for different skill levels.
9.1 Alcohol Consumption
- Responsibility: Drink responsibly and know your limits.
- Alternatives: Non-alcoholic beverages are acceptable for those who prefer or need to abstain.
9.2 Equipment Safety
- Regular Checks: Inspect paddles and balls for damage before play.
- Safe Environment: Ensure the playing area is free of hazards.
9.3 Player Health
- Hydration: Stay hydrated with water alongside any alcoholic beverages.
- Medical Conditions: Players with health issues should consult a doctor before playing.
Q1: Can we play with more than two players per team?
A: Yes, but turn order must be maintained, and rules should be adjusted accordingly.
Q2: What if the ball hits the net during a serve?
A: A net serve results in a fault; the serving team loses their turn.
Q3: Are trick shots allowed?
A: Yes, as long as they comply with the standard rules and don't involve illegal interference.
Dickpong adds movement and skill to the fun of beer pong. Play it anywhere you can set up a court, with DVD cases as paddles and a net at ‘dick height.’ Whether you’re aiming to win or just to have a laugh, grab that Jurassic Pork DVD, set your cups, and let the games begin!