There’s something kind of sad when an under-ager comes in and takes the singles title in a beer pong tournament. Even though beer pong is a college game, you’d think someone with a bit more experience could hold the kiddies off. No joke though, congrats to David Glaser for knocking our photographer out for the win at our first singles tournament.
State Championships?
After the last issue, I have been talking to a few people (both here and out in Clovis/LC) about the possibility of a state championships. There have been proponents both for and against the idea. Those against say that there just aren’t enough teams in the southwest willing to play in a large scale event to make it worthwhile. Those for it obviously love beer pong and competition enough to be willing to pony up a little extra cash to be able to compete. Of course, this can’t work unless we get enough of the latter to show their support.
Right now we’re looking at summer as the optimal time to put something like this together. We’re still talking venue, price, prize pool, etc. If you have ideas or opinions about any of that, please don’t hesitate to email us or post on our forums. We’re gonna need a lot of help to put something like this together, so please let us know what you think.
The Series Approaches
The World Series of Beer Pong in Las Vegas, Nevada is coming up fast. SWBP is sending two teams out to compete: two-time SWBP champions Boats N’ Hoes (who are playing under the moniker Visiting Grandma), and the always-runners-up Pwn Stars. If you’ve never been to the World Series, then you, like me, can’t quite grasp what it is that happens in early January at the Flamingo. Since I unfortunately had to skip last year’s event, I only have stories to go off of to prepare for this year’s journey. I hear it is going to be one amazing ride. I will try my best to keep you updated, so check the next issue for a more in-depth analysis of the tournament.
If you’re going to the tournament this year, or just happen to be in Vegas January 1st-5th, hit me up and we’ll set up some cash games or go hit the poker tables. I’m only a poor teacher though, so don’t get your hopes up for a big score.
Clawless Strategy: Chance Management
Though I will never claim to be an expert on the game, I have played a lot of beer pong in my time. As a result, I have constantly gone over and evaluated various strategies that are useful in beating the game. In this issue I want to talk about a concept my roommate and I have discussed at length early on in our pong careers, which has proven to be an essential component in my approach to the game.
When it comes to beer pong, your opponents’ misses are just as important (if not more so) than your hits. Although it would be nice to shoot 90% all of the time, most of us know that we just aren’t that good, and variables can cause a breakdown in any shooter’s percentage. If we take that as granted, then we can start to look at which shots matter the most, and alter our game accordingly. Games are often won by trifectas, so clearly the second shooter’s shot is a pivotal one after his partner has made a cup. But another important and often overlooked shot in the game comes after your opponents miss.
We call this concept “chance management”. If your opponents happen to miss both of their shots, it is of incredible importance that you and your opponent make your next two shots. Not only do you get the trifecta attempt, the end result is also as if your opponent is getting one fewer turn than you. The advantage that comes with an extra turn is often enough to take the win on its own.
There is also the psychological element to consider. After an opponent has taken a two cup advantage during a round where you’ve made none, your next shots are made much more difficult. More often than not a combination of shit talking and pressure throws the next shots even further than the original misses. The first shooter has the nagging feeling that his teammate might miss again, so he gets the tension of being the carrier. Whether he misses or makes, the second shooter now has even more pressure (either he lets his teammate down, or he misses the carry shot and essentially concedes the game).
Chance management differs from what would seem to make sense. Instead of taking it easy after your opponents have missed, thinking your shot is now not as crucial, you should in fact take it more seriously. If there is one shot to make count, that’s the one. Manage your chances well, my friends.
Team Review: Come Honor
In Clovis’s underground pong scene emerged a team that many say can’t be beat on their home turf. Elliott and Jorde from team Come Honor have proven themselves time and again in the warehouse and bar tournaments in their home town. They’ve even made their mark in the Albuquerque scene, taking first in SWBP III (despite playing the worst finals game in history). With their seeming dominance of the NM pong scene, many are very curious as to how they’ll perform this year at the Series.
Players:
Thomas Elliott Fite
Age: 26
Occupation: Sales Rep for Anderson Merchandisers /
Co-Founder of PongShirts.com
Jorde Hamilton
Age: 26
Occupation: Real Estate Investor
When did you guys first start playing together?
Jorde: 2007
Elliott: Been friends since Kindergarden, started playing beer pong as a team in 2007 and competitively in 2008---WSOBP IV was our first official tournament ever.
What’s the best part about your team?
Jorde: We know how to win. We’re not perfect, but somehow we seem to pull wins out.
Elliott: We have been playing together so long, and friends for so much longer---we have a certain chemistry that neither of us can find when playing with someone else.
What’s the worst?
Jorde: We get frustrated sometimes and it affects our game.
Elliott: We have a tendency to go cold periodically when we don’t feel much pressure.
Any pregame rituals?
Jorde: We just play warm up games, and have a few drinks.
Elliott: We both like rum, so we have us a couple rum drinks---and we HAVE to play some warm up games.
Who do you most fear or hate playing against? Why?
Jorde: Andy Mazolini, kid don’t miss…
Elliott: I try to never admit to fearing anyone---but Andy Mazolini pisses me off…he is freakin good.
Who is your biggest beer pong influence?
Jorde: Elliott my partner.
Elliott: I talk to Pop and Ron from Smashing Time a lot. Once when not playing well at an Albuquerque tournament at Coaches, Pop texted me and said, “Rule #76, play like a champion. When I’m playing bad, I pretend like I have hit every shot. If you take your last miss to your next shot, you take yourself out of the game.”
What has been your best beer pong experience?
Jorde: Winning back to back tournaments and knowing that everyone in the room is looking at us pissed cause they know we’re the best.
Elliott: Playing in the WSOBP IV was awesome, and then winning the SWBP $500 tournament is for sure up there because that was the most money we have ever won in a single tournament.
If your team was removed from the game, who do you think would sport the better teams, Clovis or ABQ?
Jorde: Clovis would be ahead of Albuquerque due to having quite a few extremely skilled players.
Elliot: Sorry ABQ, but I would have to say Hands Down Clovis has the better teams, we have been having weekly cash tournaments for a year---every Thursday---and everyone, even our female teams, have improved their skill on a large scale. Not to mention, taking two Clovis teams to an Albuquerque tournament and winning 1st and 3rd….gotta mean something!
Anything to add?
Jorde: You better be ready for Clovis, we may be small, but inside we are big. Elliott may be short, but that’s the way we like it. Cause people think he is too short to lean…but then he starts sinking them cups.
Elliott: With that being said (in the last question) Clovis has a tremendous respect for our ABQ counterparts and would really like to thank them for what they have done for Beer Pong in New Mexico---in the end, we all represent the Southwest.
Well that’s all for us until the Series. We’ll be meeting up with Clovis out in Vegas and teaming up to take NM as far as possible on the national level. Check our twitter and this site for updates while we’re out there.
Until then, keep those balls in the air!
-Clawless
State Championships?
After the last issue, I have been talking to a few people (both here and out in Clovis/LC) about the possibility of a state championships. There have been proponents both for and against the idea. Those against say that there just aren’t enough teams in the southwest willing to play in a large scale event to make it worthwhile. Those for it obviously love beer pong and competition enough to be willing to pony up a little extra cash to be able to compete. Of course, this can’t work unless we get enough of the latter to show their support.
Right now we’re looking at summer as the optimal time to put something like this together. We’re still talking venue, price, prize pool, etc. If you have ideas or opinions about any of that, please don’t hesitate to email us or post on our forums. We’re gonna need a lot of help to put something like this together, so please let us know what you think.
The Series Approaches
The World Series of Beer Pong in Las Vegas, Nevada is coming up fast. SWBP is sending two teams out to compete: two-time SWBP champions Boats N’ Hoes (who are playing under the moniker Visiting Grandma), and the always-runners-up Pwn Stars. If you’ve never been to the World Series, then you, like me, can’t quite grasp what it is that happens in early January at the Flamingo. Since I unfortunately had to skip last year’s event, I only have stories to go off of to prepare for this year’s journey. I hear it is going to be one amazing ride. I will try my best to keep you updated, so check the next issue for a more in-depth analysis of the tournament.
If you’re going to the tournament this year, or just happen to be in Vegas January 1st-5th, hit me up and we’ll set up some cash games or go hit the poker tables. I’m only a poor teacher though, so don’t get your hopes up for a big score.
Clawless Strategy: Chance Management
Though I will never claim to be an expert on the game, I have played a lot of beer pong in my time. As a result, I have constantly gone over and evaluated various strategies that are useful in beating the game. In this issue I want to talk about a concept my roommate and I have discussed at length early on in our pong careers, which has proven to be an essential component in my approach to the game.
When it comes to beer pong, your opponents’ misses are just as important (if not more so) than your hits. Although it would be nice to shoot 90% all of the time, most of us know that we just aren’t that good, and variables can cause a breakdown in any shooter’s percentage. If we take that as granted, then we can start to look at which shots matter the most, and alter our game accordingly. Games are often won by trifectas, so clearly the second shooter’s shot is a pivotal one after his partner has made a cup. But another important and often overlooked shot in the game comes after your opponents miss.
We call this concept “chance management”. If your opponents happen to miss both of their shots, it is of incredible importance that you and your opponent make your next two shots. Not only do you get the trifecta attempt, the end result is also as if your opponent is getting one fewer turn than you. The advantage that comes with an extra turn is often enough to take the win on its own.
There is also the psychological element to consider. After an opponent has taken a two cup advantage during a round where you’ve made none, your next shots are made much more difficult. More often than not a combination of shit talking and pressure throws the next shots even further than the original misses. The first shooter has the nagging feeling that his teammate might miss again, so he gets the tension of being the carrier. Whether he misses or makes, the second shooter now has even more pressure (either he lets his teammate down, or he misses the carry shot and essentially concedes the game).
Chance management differs from what would seem to make sense. Instead of taking it easy after your opponents have missed, thinking your shot is now not as crucial, you should in fact take it more seriously. If there is one shot to make count, that’s the one. Manage your chances well, my friends.
Team Review: Come Honor
In Clovis’s underground pong scene emerged a team that many say can’t be beat on their home turf. Elliott and Jorde from team Come Honor have proven themselves time and again in the warehouse and bar tournaments in their home town. They’ve even made their mark in the Albuquerque scene, taking first in SWBP III (despite playing the worst finals game in history). With their seeming dominance of the NM pong scene, many are very curious as to how they’ll perform this year at the Series.
Players:
Thomas Elliott Fite
Age: 26
Occupation: Sales Rep for Anderson Merchandisers /
Co-Founder of PongShirts.com
Jorde Hamilton
Age: 26
Occupation: Real Estate Investor
When did you guys first start playing together?
Jorde: 2007
Elliott: Been friends since Kindergarden, started playing beer pong as a team in 2007 and competitively in 2008---WSOBP IV was our first official tournament ever.
What’s the best part about your team?
Jorde: We know how to win. We’re not perfect, but somehow we seem to pull wins out.
Elliott: We have been playing together so long, and friends for so much longer---we have a certain chemistry that neither of us can find when playing with someone else.
What’s the worst?
Jorde: We get frustrated sometimes and it affects our game.
Elliott: We have a tendency to go cold periodically when we don’t feel much pressure.
Any pregame rituals?
Jorde: We just play warm up games, and have a few drinks.
Elliott: We both like rum, so we have us a couple rum drinks---and we HAVE to play some warm up games.
Who do you most fear or hate playing against? Why?
Jorde: Andy Mazolini, kid don’t miss…
Elliott: I try to never admit to fearing anyone---but Andy Mazolini pisses me off…he is freakin good.
Who is your biggest beer pong influence?
Jorde: Elliott my partner.
Elliott: I talk to Pop and Ron from Smashing Time a lot. Once when not playing well at an Albuquerque tournament at Coaches, Pop texted me and said, “Rule #76, play like a champion. When I’m playing bad, I pretend like I have hit every shot. If you take your last miss to your next shot, you take yourself out of the game.”
What has been your best beer pong experience?
Jorde: Winning back to back tournaments and knowing that everyone in the room is looking at us pissed cause they know we’re the best.
Elliott: Playing in the WSOBP IV was awesome, and then winning the SWBP $500 tournament is for sure up there because that was the most money we have ever won in a single tournament.
If your team was removed from the game, who do you think would sport the better teams, Clovis or ABQ?
Jorde: Clovis would be ahead of Albuquerque due to having quite a few extremely skilled players.
Elliot: Sorry ABQ, but I would have to say Hands Down Clovis has the better teams, we have been having weekly cash tournaments for a year---every Thursday---and everyone, even our female teams, have improved their skill on a large scale. Not to mention, taking two Clovis teams to an Albuquerque tournament and winning 1st and 3rd….gotta mean something!
Anything to add?
Jorde: You better be ready for Clovis, we may be small, but inside we are big. Elliott may be short, but that’s the way we like it. Cause people think he is too short to lean…but then he starts sinking them cups.
Elliott: With that being said (in the last question) Clovis has a tremendous respect for our ABQ counterparts and would really like to thank them for what they have done for Beer Pong in New Mexico---in the end, we all represent the Southwest.
Well that’s all for us until the Series. We’ll be meeting up with Clovis out in Vegas and teaming up to take NM as far as possible on the national level. Check our twitter and this site for updates while we’re out there.
Until then, keep those balls in the air!
-Clawless
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Upcoming Events
WSOBP 8 Satellite Tournament
February 4th, 2012
Southwest Beer Pong
Spectators Sports Bar
Guy/Guy Teams: $50
Guy/Girl Teams: $40
Girl/Girl Teams: $30
Preregistration Discount Here
Albuquerque, NM
February 4th, 2012
Southwest Beer Pong
Spectators Sports Bar
Guy/Guy Teams: $50
Guy/Girl Teams: $40
Girl/Girl Teams: $30
Preregistration Discount Here
Albuquerque, NM
2012 Southwest Beer Pong Championships
August 3rd-5th, 2012
Southwest Beer Pong
Spectators Sports Bar
Friday: WSOBP 8 Satellite
Saturday: $5k Doubles Main Event
Sunday: Singles Championships
Albuquerque, NM
August 3rd-5th, 2012
Southwest Beer Pong
Spectators Sports Bar
Friday: WSOBP 8 Satellite
Saturday: $5k Doubles Main Event
Sunday: Singles Championships
Albuquerque, NM