Beer die
A table-based drinking game with die throwing and one-handed catches.
Beer die, also known as snappa, is a table-based drinking game typically played by two two-player teams. The game involves throwing a die over a specified height with the goal of landing it in an opponent's cup or having it bounce off the table to the floor, while the defending team attempts to catch it one-handed. The game's rules were specified by the Beer Die League website in February 2014, based on a crowdsourced project and research into the game's history.
Quick Facts
- Other Names
- Snappa
- Players
- Two vs. two
- Skills
- accuracy, hand–eye coordination, reaction time
- Materials
- Plywood table, pint glasses or solo cups, dice
- Blank Label
- Alcohol used
- Blank Data
- Beer
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Beer die, or snappa, is played on a standard sheet of plywood (8 by 4 feet, at least 1/2 inch thick) placed on banquet tables or sawhorses 20 to 30 inches high. Each player has a solo cup filled with water or beer, positioned 8 inches from the back and 5 inches from the side of the table. The official die is a standard Bicycle die measuring 5/8 inch. Players must stand (sitting is not allowed) and toss the die so it travels higher than 8 feet from the ground; if the opposing team disputes the height, the shot does not count.
Reader's Guide
The game's significance lies in its structured rules and drinking penalties, as codified by the Beer Die League in February 2014. Points are awarded when the die hits the table and bounces off the defensive side without being properly caught with one hand (juggling allowed, but trapping against a surface or body part awards a point). A 'plink' (die striking the cup) nullifies the play, while a 'plunk' (die landing in the cup) awards a point and allows the thrower to sign the table. Drinking rules require teams to consume five drinks per cup, with specific triggers such as saying 'five' or 'seven', missing the table, or hitting the ceiling. The standing variant was developed from the seated game Snappa, which is played with a chair at each corner of the table. The game's legacy includes its use as a social drinking activity with a designated 'god' referee for final disputes.
Did You Know?
- The number 5 must be referred to as 'bizz' and the number 7 as 'buzz'.
- If the die lands in a cup (plunk), the throwing team must finish their drinks and roll the die; if it shows a 'bizz', they must finish another full drink.
- Players must tap the die before tossing to signal the impending throw.
- The die must be thrown so the thrower's palm faces themselves upon release.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Beer die (snappa)?
Beer die, commonly called snappa, is a table-based drinking game where two teams of two take turns tossing a die over a set height toward an opponent's cup. The defending side tries to catch it one-handed while the attacking side aims for a landing in the cup or a bounce off the table.
What equipment do you need to play Beer die?
The standard setup calls for an 8-by-4-foot plywood sheet half an inch thick, a solo cup, and a Bicycle-brand die measuring five-eighths of an inch. That is essentially all the gear required for a match.
How do you win a game of Beer die?
Play runs to a target score of 5, 7, 11, or 12 points, and you must lead by two with a cap of 7. The first team to hit the agreed-upon threshold with that margin takes the round.
What's the difference between a Plink and a Plunk in snappa?
A Plink occurs when the die strikes the cup but does not go in, while a Plunk means it actually lands inside the cup. These two terms sit alongside Biz (5) and Buzz (7) as the core scoring vocabulary of the game.
Who set the official rules for Beer die?
The Beer Die League website published the formal rules in February 2014 after a crowdsourced research project into the game's history. Before that publication, play varied widely between groups and regions.
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