STICKY WICKET

 

Sticky Wicket Rules (2v2)

Objective:

The objective of the game is to finish your teams' beers before the opposing team.

Setup:

To play the Sticky Wicket, you will need 1 official Pro Beer Sports table, 1 official Pro Beer Sports ball, 10 unopened cans of 12 oz beer, and 2 empty cans of 12 oz beer.

  • The official Pro Beer Sports table dimensions are 8’ (length) x 2’ (width) x 2.5’ (height).

  • The official Pro Beer Sports balls are 3-Star table tennis balls.

Each team takes 3 of the remaining unopened cans to be their beers to drink for the game.

With the remaining 4 unopened cans and the 2 empty cans, make a 3 can pyramid on both short ends of the table with the empty can on top. The empty can on top is known as “The Wicket”. Each can pyramid needs to have the 2 bottom unopened cans touching the edge of the table. These 3 can pyramids are known as “The Stack”. Each Stack must align with the center of the table as much as possible.

The Stack.png

Who goes first:

One player from each team play “Rock-Paper-Scissors” to determine which team shoots first. The winning team picks who throws first. The team that throws first only throws one ball that round. Every round after both teammates throw.

Gameplay:

Once first throw is determined, all players cheers the unopened beers and may open them. Team beers and open beers must be kept in the middle of the table touching the edge until a player brings one forward for their shot.

When it is a player’s turn to throw, they line up behind the table and throw a beer pong ball towards The Stack. If the throw hits any part of The Stack, the thrower begins to drink the team beer they brought forward.

Defenders will attempt to retrieve the ball, physically touch the ball to their quadrant of the table closest to them, and call "OUT!” at the same time. Only the player with the ball may call “OUT!” and other players calling “OUT!” can result in penalties. Only the word “OUT!” ends play. Any other word said does not end play and does not stop drinking. Once the defender has yelled “Out!” with the ball touching the table, the shooter must stop drinking. Drinking after the defender has yelled “Out!” will result in a penalty. A penalty is 1 shot of beer the other team gets to drink for free from the can of their choosing.

If the throw knocks off the empty top can, or “The Wicket”, off The Stack, this is known as a "Sticky Wicket". The Stack must be reconstructed and stable without assistance before the defense may call "OUT!” legally. Player’s hands may not be touching or holding The Stack together when “OUT!” is called. Doing so results in a penalty.

Winning:

The first team to finish all 3 of their beers wins.

Special Rules:

When throwing the pong ball, at least one foot must be touching the ground. Your body and clothes can’t move table in front of you and your hand can’t cross the halfway point of the table.

Once a ball hits The Stack and becomes live, players not involved in defending may not interfere with the ball in play or the defenders trying to recover the ball. It is recommended to stand still once a ball becomes live.

Defenders must be at least 6 feet back from directly behind The Stack. Defenders may not have any part of their body over the table before or during the other team's throw. You may stand on your half of the table along the long end while defending.

The two defenders may throw the ball to each other while trying to recover a live ball.

A thrower may only drink out of one can per throw, even if they finish their beer.

Beer cans cannot be crushed, dented, or altered in any way other than removing the top tab. If a Wicket becomes too dented from normal gameplay, a new empty can may replace it at the discretion of the ref.

Beer cans in play must be placed in the center quadrants along the sides of the table as far away from the players as possible when not in play for a possible throw hit.

Judgement Rulings:

If any player is seen to be spilling excessive amounts of beer while drinking or knocks over a beer, the refs will add penalty drinks equal to the amount spilled. This is at the discretion of the ref. 

If too much is spilled while drinking or from a knocked over can, it may be replaced with a new full beer at the discretion of the ref. The other team would get one penalty drink.

At the Beerlympics, cans will be tested in marked shot glasses to determine if the can is completely empty. It must be below the predetermined line on the glass to be considered empty. The first team to empty their 3 cans wins.

FAQ:

Can I bounce the ball?

Players may bounce the ball off the table into the cans.

What happens if I knock The Stack or The Wicket over while calling “OUT!” on accident?

The play ends when a defender legally calls “OUT!” and any cans falling in the aftermath would not matter.

What happens if I knock my own Stack or Wicket over while throwing on accident?

This is not a penalty, but we do recommend moving your own Wicket while shooting to prevent this.

What happens if I knock a live beer can over with the ricochet of my throw?

Any beer that can be recovered from the knocked over can will be poured with a shot glass. If there is not beer left, the team must still drink an empty shot glass to finish that beer for game purposes.

Are distractions allowed?

Respectful distractions are allowed, but not over the cans or table. You may not blow or try to generate wind in any way towards the games as a distraction. You may not try to shake the ground, tables, or cans as a distraction. Personal insults will not be tolerated, be more creative.