Beer pong is a simple game that like the wheel hasn’t evolved much over time. It basically requires a flat surface, cups, a ping pong ball and beer. It has always been played on a horizontal surface but one company dared to fight gravity and take the game vertical. Introducing BasketPong.
Tired of lugging around tables to tailgate sites, the makers decided to create a game that was lightweight and highly mobile. To kick up the innovation meter a little more they added a basketball twist and a new game was born. When tailgating, lightweight and compact equals success in the games department. I have some kits that are in bags so the pieces shift where they want-major hassle. I’m jumping ahead so let’s get to the testing.
To run BasketPong through the paces I took it on vacation to the Outer Banks in North Carolina so truck space was at a premium. Luckily the unit comes in a very compact rectangular case. It was very easy to place it against the outside wall of the truck to stack things on and around it. As I said earlier…compact equals success. One major plus for those with very tight tailgating spaces is the very small amount of space the game actually needs. Instead of a long table you really only need about 2-3 square feet to get rolling.
Getting the game set up was as easy as could be. The poles snap into one another and the cup holders click into place in various spots on the backboard. Total set up time is about a minute or so.
As always my kids took immediate notice and claimed it as their own which really isn’t a bad thing. If a new product can withstand the abuse of a 2 and 4 year old, chances are it will be just fine in the parking lot. They took turns (OK I MADE them take turns) throwing the balls and on occasion hitting the ring cup holders trying to dunk. Even under that pressure it held its ground. Some of the rings flew off (think breakaway basketball rim) but were easily put back on. Thankfully with the multi-section pole, you can adjust to three different heights for all age groups.
After the little ones had their turn it was adult time. So you can get an idea of gameplay, here are the rules that come on the game in the half court version:
- 2 – 4 players with 2 Basketpong balls
- A goal is placed with a shooting distance of 8 feet
- To establish the order in which each player goes, they must shoot at the bottom center cup
- The player with possession will have 2 shots at the goal
- If one or more shots are missed then the player up next gains possession
- If both shots are made in different cups the player gets to shoot again (MAKE IT – TAKE IT)
- If both shots are made in the same cup, the player forfeits possession but a second cup is removed at the shooters choice
- Cups that are made are removed from the backboard
- The player to clear the most cups from the goal wins the game
- If the score is tied between 2 or more players then the game must go into over time
Overtime/Rebuttal
- If the game is forced into overtime, the cups are placed into a diamond formation (Top Center, Bottom Center and Both Middle Rims) and then resume the game under the same Rules & Regulations
- The Team with all of their cups eliminated gets one last chance to eliminate the opponents remaining cups (REBUTTAL)
- In a Rebuttal situation each player of the Team that had their cups eliminated gets to shoot until they miss (MAKE IT – TAKE IT)
- If Team 1 makes both of their shots on the same turn and it is the last cups of Team 2 then the game is over and there is NO REBUTTAL rewarded (Same As In Regulation Game)
Let’s start with that bottom center cup. It’s hard. That ring hangs from a space in the pole which looking at the website pictures should be off to the side, quite a challenge. If you want to play the bank shot you can position it in front as well with a quick adjustment of the support pole.
We played the first game indoors to get a feel for it, was a big hit with everyone who tried. Some looked like fools but that’s nothing a few cold ones can’t fix. Once we got the hang of things it started to go pretty quickly and folks started to find their sweet spots on the board.
Next up was to move outdoors. One thing I didn’t account for with this review was the ocean breeze. With a height of 6’, the ball tends to do wacky things which makes the game infinitely harder. I would highly recommend finding a sheltered area if at all possible. It really all depends on the level of challenge you are looking for.
The final test was the most anticipated…the pool. BasketPong gets another check in the win column for allowing me combine lounging in the pool, drinking and a fun game. Now I don’t know how your fellow competitors will handle this but mine were ruthless. The game is hard enough as is but add splashing and cannonballs to it and now you’ve got a party!
You’ve probably figured out by now that I’m a big fan. With BasketPong we have a product that changes a long standing format to bring something new and fresh to your tailgate kit. Adding durable construction, ease of transport and setup and you have something that receives the Taiglate365 stamp of approval. If you are interested in picking up a set, hit it here.
That. Is. AWESOME!