How to Play Beer Pong With 3 People (3 Ways)

Three players and one table? You’ve got three good options: play 1v1 and rotate with winner stays on, play 2-on-1 with a handicap for the solo player, or play cutthroat, where everyone has their own rack and it’s every player for themselves. Here’s how each one works and when to pick it.

1. Winner stays on

The simplest option. Two players go 1v1, the winner stays at the table, and the third player takes them on.

  • Best for: a long night, or when one player’s on fire and everyone wants to take them down.
  • House rule: three wins in a row and you have to sit one out. Nobody likes a table hog.

2. Two-on-one

A team of two plays against one player, under regular rules with a few handicaps so the solo player has a chance:

  • The solo player shoots both balls every turn, like 1v1.
  • The solo player gets 2 re-racks; the team gets 1.
  • Balls back for the solo player when they make both shots.
  • Best for: when one player is way better than the other two. Still winning? Give the team a free bounce shot.

3. Cutthroat

Everyone for themselves. Each player sets up 6 cups in a 3-2-1 triangle: two racks at the ends of the table, one in the middle of a side, or around a round table.

  1. Players take turns, one shot each, going around.
  2. Shoot at either opponent’s cups. Make one and that player drinks.
  3. Run out of cups and you’re out. You get one redemption chance at both opponents’ cups, one shot each.
  4. The last player with cups wins.
  • Strategy: gang up on the leader. Alliances last exactly one turn.
  • Best for: chaos.

FAQ

Can you play beer pong with 3 people?

Yes. Play winner stays on, 2-on-1 with a handicap, or cutthroat with three racks.

What’s cutthroat beer pong?

Each player has their own rack of cups and can shoot at any opponent. The last player with cups left wins.

Other ways to play: 1v1 · 3v3 · 6 cup · Civil War. The full game is in our rules of beer pong.

Pick your house rules for any format with the house rules builder.