Beer Die Rules (Snappa): How to Play, Scoring and House Rules

Beer Die (aka Snappa when you play sitting down) is the 2-on-2 table game with the most arguments per minute. Throw a die high over the table so it lands on the other team’s half. If they can’t catch it one-handed, you score. Plunk it in their cup and they finish their drinks. First to 7, win by 2. Every house has its own rules, and every house thinks the others are wrong.

What you need

  • A long table: an 8 × 4 ft sheet of plywood on sawhorses is traditional, but an 8-foot beer pong table works
  • One standard six-sided die
  • Four cups or pint glasses, one per player
  • Two teams of two

How to set up

  1. Teams stand at opposite ends of the table, one player at each corner.
  2. Each player’s cup sits near their corner, about a hand’s width in from the back edge and a fist in from the side.
  3. Fill the cups. Agree on the target score (usually 7, win by 2) and the minimum throw height before starting.

How to play Beer Die

  1. Throw high. Players take turns throwing the die underhand, in a high arc that goes above the thrower’s head (or the agreed height). Low throws are dead.
  2. Land it on their side. The die has to hit the defending team’s half of the table.
  3. Defend with one hand. Once the die hits the table, the defenders try to catch it one-handed before it hits the floor or anything else.
  4. Score a point when the die hits the table and the defenders drop it or let it fall.
  5. Plunk. Land the die in an opponent’s cup and your team scores, and the plunked team finishes their drinks. Many groups let the thrower sign the table.
  6. Win by being first to the target score, usually 7, winning by 2.

Popular Beer Die house rules

  • Hitting a cup (“tink”): a die that hits a cup and falls off the table uncaught is often worth a point, sometimes two.
  • Self-sink: drop the die in your own team’s cup and you finish it; in some houses you lose the game.
  • “Biz” for five: in many groups nobody may say “five” (say “biz” instead) or “seven” (“buzz”). Slip up and you drink.
  • Drinking and scoring are separate: drinks are triggered by plunks and penalties, not by points.
  • Snappa: the same game played sitting down, which keeps the dives off the table.

FAQ

Is Beer Die the same as Snappa?

Almost. Beer Die is usually played standing and Snappa sitting down; the core rules are the same.

How big is a Beer Die table?

Traditionally 8 × 4 feet. A standard 8 × 2 ft beer pong table works, but the game is tighter.

What’s a plunk?

Landing the die in an opponent’s cup. It scores and the other team finishes their drinks.

Can you play without alcohol?

Yes. Fill the cups with water. The throwing, catching and scoring don’t change.

More party games: Circle of Death (Kings Cup), Power Hour, Rage Cage, Slap Cup, Chandeliers, Quarters, flip cup, Boat Race, Beer Ball, Dizzy Bat. See them all on our party games page, or play the classic with the full rules of beer pong.