Looking for a game to crank up the energy at your next party? Enter the 4 Corners Drinking Game—a fast-paced, fun-filled drinking game that combines movement, laughter, and, of course, drinks! Whether you’re hosting a small gathering or a larger group, this game is guaranteed to get everyone off their feet and into party mode. It’s easy to set up, simple to play, and offers endless variations to keep things exciting. Ready to turn up the fun? Let’s dive into the rules and get your party started!
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What is the 4 Corners Drinking Game?
4 Corners is a simpler version of traditional Beer Pong. In this version, instead of lining up cups in a triangle like the typical beer pong setup, cups (or cans) are placed at the four corners of a rectangular table. The goal is similar—get your opponents to drink by throwing a ping pong ball into one of their cups—but the playing field is expanded, and the pace of the game is faster.
Unlike traditional beer pong, where the cups are closely packed together, the strategic positioning of cups in 4 Corners, making every shot more deliberate. This game requires teamwork, quick reflexes, and good aim, all while enjoying a cold one with your friends.
How to Set Up the 4 Corners Drinking Game
Materials You’ll Need
- A rectangular table (standard beer pong table works best)
- 4 cups or cans of beer per team (8 total)
- 2 ping pong balls
- At least 4 players (2 teams of 2), but larger groups can rotate in.
Game Setup
- Cup Placement: Place 4 cups (or cans) at each corner of the table. One team’s cups will occupy the two corners on one side, and the opposing team’s cups will be placed on the opposite two corners.
- Team Positioning: Each team stands behind their cups at opposite ends of the table. Teams should be spread out, with one player stationed closer to each corner.
4 Corners Drinking Game Rules
1. Shooting the Ball
Each player takes turns shooting a ping pong ball at the opponent’s cups located at the four corners of the table. The goal is to either sink the ball in the cup or hit the rim to damage your opponent’s life points.
2. Life Points System
Every player starts with 4 quarters of life. Rather than losing physical cups (like in regular beer pong), players lose life points when a ball hits their cup or lands in it:
- Made Cup (2/4 Life): If a player makes a shot directly into a cup, the opponent loses 2/4 life (half a life) and must drink half of their beer before they can take their next turn.
- Rim Shot (1/4 Life): If the ball hits the rim of the cup but doesn’t land inside, the opponent loses 1/4 life and must drink a quarter of their beer.
3. Losing All Life Points
Once a player’s life points drop to zero, they can no longer shoot. However, they remain in the game by helping their teammate rebound the ball (bounce backs are allowed). When both players on a team have no life left, the game is over, and the opposing team wins.
4. Bounce Backs and Rebounds
Bounce backs are in play, meaning that if a ball hits the table and bounces back, the opposing team can attempt to retrieve it for an additional shot. Rebounds add an extra layer of strategy, so both teams must stay alert and be ready to react to every shot.
5. House Rules and Variations
To make the game even more interesting, here are some optional house rules to try:
- Speed Rounds: Add a time limit for chugging drinks. If the player doesn’t finish in time, their team automatically loses a cup.
- One-Handed Throws: Players can only throw with their non-dominant hand for an added challenge.
- Trick Shot Bonus: Sink a difficult shot (such as a bounce off the wall or behind-the-back throw), and the other team must chug two drinks instead of one.
- Chug Master: Appoint a “Chug Master” on each team—this person is the only one allowed to drink for their team, making the stakes higher and the pressure on.
Fun Variations for the 4 Corners Final Round
Bored of the same old corners? Time to level up! These fun and ridiculously creative twists will turn the 4 Corners Drinking Game into the life of the party. Instead of just drinking, players must complete a challenge task if they end up in the final round corner.
Party Challenge Corners
Add a hilarious twist by assigning outrageous challenges to each corner. Here are some wild ideas:
- Corner 1: Karaoke Corner – Sing your heart out! The unlucky (or lucky?) ones in this corner must belt out a random song lyric—bonus points if you don’t know the words!
- Corner 2: Truth or Drink – Spill the tea or sip up! Players in this corner must either answer a juicy truth question from the group or take a drink if they don’t want to reveal their secrets.
- Corner 3: Silly Dance-Off – Time to show off those dance moves! Everyone in this corner has to perform a crazy dance move for 30 seconds. Think flossing, moonwalking, or just wiggling awkwardly—anything goes!
- Corner 4: Drunk Drawing – Channel your inner artist! Players must draw something hilarious in 30 seconds on a napkin or paper, while the others guess what it is. Terrible drawings = more laughs.
Movie Madness Corners
Take your 4 Corners Drinking Game to the next level by adding a movie-themed twist.
- Corner 1: Action Movie Heroes Like John Wick – Act out a slow-motion fight scene or dodge imaginary explosions while drinking. Dramatic expressions and over-the-top sound effects like “Boom!” or “Kapow!” earn bonus points.
- Corner 2: Horror Movie Screamers Like Scary – Give your best horror movie scream before drinking—whether it’s a shriek or a gasp! Bonus: take a drink while “running” from an invisible monster.
- Corner 3: Romantic Comedy Stars Like Perfect Pitch – Deliver a cheesy romantic line like “You had me at hello” before sipping. Extra flair if you gaze dramatically into someone’s eyes!
- Corner 4: Sci-Fi Space Explorers Like Star Wars – Pretend you’re in zero gravity while drinking. Floating around or talking to aliens earns bonus points, especially with futuristic sound effects!
Kings Corner Challenge
Take a page from the classic Kings Cup game! Each corner gets its own rule based on a deck of cards:
- Corner 1: Kings – If you land here, you must make a rule for the whole group to follow (like no one can say the word “drink,” or you must clink glasses before sipping). Violate the rule, and you drink!
- Corner 2: Jokers – Everyone in this corner becomes a prankster. You can switch drinks with another player or make someone else drink for you.
- Corner 3: Queens – It’s royal decree time! The queen(s) in this corner can assign a fun dare or task to anyone in the room. It’s power on a whim!
- Corner 4: Aces Wild – If you end up here, luck is on your side. You don’t drink this round, and you can pass the drinking task to anyone else!
Drunken Twister Corners
Mash up Twister with 4 Corners for a ridiculous (and physical) version of the game! In this variation:
- Instead of just moving to corners, players must perform a Twister-like move in their chosen corner. For example:
- Corner 1: Right hand on the wall.
- Corner 2: Left foot in the air.
- Corner 3: Both hands on the floor.
- Corner 4: Spin around twice before moving.
- If you stumble, spill, or fail, you drink! This keeps everyone engaged and ensures lots of silly moments.
Costume Corners
Make it even more visually entertaining by adding costumes or props to each corner. Think:
- Corner 1: Pirate hats – Anyone who lands here must don a pirate hat and talk like a pirate for the rest of the round, “Arrrrr!”
- Corner 2: Animal masks – Lions, tigers, or llamas, oh my! The group decides what animal sounds or gestures must be made when someone lands here.
- Corner 3: Superhero capes – Players must put on a cape and strike their best superhero pose before drinking.
- Corner 4: Random costume bin – This is the wild card corner—anything can happen! Maybe it’s a wig, silly glasses, or even a tutu. The possibilities are endless and hilarious.
If you’re on the lookout for an unforgettable party experience, the 4 Corners Drinking Game is a must-try. With its fast pace, easy rules, and countless variations, it’s guaranteed to be a hit at your next gathering. Whether you’re sticking to the classic format or mixing it up with themes and twists, this game offers endless fun for groups of all sizes.
FAQs about 4 Corners Drinking Game
Is 4 Corners suitable for a Beer Olympics game?
Absolutely! The 4 Corners Drinking Game is perfect for Beer Olympics because it’s fast-paced, active, and can easily be adapted for large groups. You can add point systems for different challenges in each corner to make it competitive and even assign team members to specific corners for a head-to-head competition!
What’s the difference between 4 Corners and regular Beer Pong?
4 Corners is a variation of Beer Pong where cups are placed at the four corners of the table, rather than in a triangle formation. Instead of knocking out cups one by one, players lose “life points” when a ball hits or lands in their cup. The game focuses more on precision and strategy, as there are fewer lucky bounces, and it incorporates a life points system instead of eliminating cups.
How many players are needed to play 4 Corners?
The game is typically played with 4 players (2 teams of 2). However, larger groups can rotate players in after each game or switch up teams to keep everyone involved.
What happens when a player loses all of their life points?
Once a player loses all their life points (from made shots and rim shots), they can no longer shoot. However, they can still help their teammate by retrieving the ball (rebounds are allowed). The game continues until both players on one team have no life left.
How does the life points system work in the 4 Corners drinking game?
Each player starts with 4 quarters of life. A direct shot into a cup costs the opponent 2/4 life (half a life), while a rim shot (where the ball hits the cup but doesn’t land inside) costs 1/4 life. After losing life points, players must drink the corresponding amount of beer (either a quarter or half a beer) before their next shot.
Can bounce-back shots be played?
Yes, bounce-back shots are an important part of 4 Corners. If the ball bounces off the table after a missed shot, players can grab it and take another shot. This adds an extra layer of skill and speed to the game, as teams must pay attention to every shot.
How long does a typical game of 4 Corners Beer Pong last?
The length of a game depends on the skill of the players. Games can end quickly, sometimes in as few as 4 shots, but they typically last around 10-20 minutes, depending on the pace and intensity of the competition.
Can we customize the rules with house variations?
Absolutely! One of the great things about 4 Corners is that it’s flexible. You can introduce house rules like double bounce shots (where bounce shots cost extra life points) or redemption rounds to keep the game interesting and tailor it to your group’s preferences.
Can 4 Corners be played outdoors?
Absolutely! If you’re a fan of outdoor drinking games like Cornhole, you’ll love the 4 Corners. Instead of tossing bean bags, you’re shooting ping pong balls into cups—simple and fun! Just make sure you have a sturdy table and enough space to move around for bounce-back shots. It’s perfect for backyard parties or tailgates!