Dodge beer

Dodge beer

Players	Two teams of two or more
Age range	Adult
Setup time	1 minute
Playing time	10-20 minutes or less
Random chance	Easy
Skill(s) required	Aiming, taunting, alcohol tolerance, chugging and quick object retrieval

Dodge Beer, or Smash Can is a drinking game in which players throw a ping-pong ball across a table with the intent of hitting one of the opposing team's beer cans. The game consists of two teams, each with two or more players, with one team on each side of a table, and a number of beer cans equal to the amount of players. Each beer can is typically placed nearest to the person who will be drinking its contents, but this is not a requirement.

When a ping-pong ball hits a can the defending team must retrieve the ball and get it to the player whose can was hit. That player must then place the ball on his/her can and yell "stop". After the ball is thrown, and before the ball is retrieved and "placed", the member of the offensive team who threw the ball may drink from his/her can.

Origin

The origin of smash can is poorly documented and sometimes disputed. It is likely that the game was developed independently by multiple persons and groups. Others cite "garages across America" as an "affectionate" origin.

Setup

Evenly spaced beers are placed on opposing sides of the table. Each of the beers should be opened.

Teams

Smash Can is usually played with two teams of two or more players. Some variations dictate that teams consist of an even number of players.

Playing field

The playing field is a flat, solid surface—usually a table—comparable in size to a ping pong table.

Equipment

• Cans (or bottles) of beer
• Ping pong ball(s)

Game play

First you must determine which team goes first: Each team gets one ball and the first team to hit an opposing can will start the game. Game play: The offensive team shoots in the order of their beers on the table. The same order must be followed for the entire game. You do not have to shoot from behind your beer but you must not lean across or step past your end of the table. There shall be only 1 ball in play at a time. If the first shooter misses the next shooter may immediately throw the 2nd ball. When a can is hit the defensive team must return the ball to the top of the can that was hit. While they get the ball the shooter will chug their beer until the player whose beer was hit touches the ball on the hit can and says "stop." The 2nd ball may be played as soon as the defensive team "stops" the previous play. If at any time a beer is knocked over by a player touching it, it must be set back up, finished, and replaced. If a beer is knocked over by ball from a shooter it must be set back up and the representative player must return the ball to the top and say "stop" as if the beer had not fallen. Upon "stopping" the representative player must finish and replace the beer. NO player can stop a ball-struck beer from falling however a beer falling due to a player touching it may be stopped if possible. A beer has "fallen" when its side touches the table.There shall be no blocking of shots and all body parts must remain behind the plane of the table. If all players on the offensive team hit beers then the balls will stay on their side for another offensive round. If every player on a team misses the team will nominate someone to take a penalty shot of their choice of liquor. When a player has finished their beer they must turn it upside down to show there is nothing remaining other than foam. Players that have finished their beer will designate another player to drink in their place during their turn should they hit a beer. That designated player shall not break the plane of the table until an opposing beer is hit. Defensive team players shall stand at least 1 foot back from the table. If the ball hits a beer and bounces back to the offensive team's area the offensive players will not be required to move but shall remain as statues so as not to consciously or overtly obstruct the ball return. The first team to finish all their beer is the winner and will accept the next team that challenges them.

Shot techniques

• Kill shot

a hard throw meant to topple the beer

• Touch

a sure shot meant to further the offensive team's possession by getting balls back due to all players contacting opposing beers

• Bounce

to hit the playing field before hitting the can in an attempt to affect the direction of travel of the ball

Winning the game

The game is won when everyone on a team has finished their beer.

References