Beirut vs. Beer Pong

A great deal of confusion could be avoided if beirut always referred to the game of beer pong without paddles, and beer pong always referred to the game of beer pong with paddles, but beer pong remains a correct label for beirut.

The Square vs. Rectangle Argument

In geometry, a rectangle is defined as: a polygon with 4 sides connected at right angles. A square is defined as: a polygon with 4 sides of equal length connected at right angles. The definition of a square can be reduced to: a rectangle with sides of equal length. These postulates lead us to the conclusion that all squares are rectangles, but all rectangles are not squares.

Using this pattern of logic, beer pong can be defined as: a game played with beer and ping pong balls. Beirut can be defined as: a game played with beer and ping pong balls without paddles. This definition of beirut can be reduced to: beer pong without paddles. These postulates lead us to the conclusion that all forms of beirut are forms of beer pong, but all forms of beer pong are not forms of beirut.

The Poker Argument

Poker is a game that can be played with a seemingly endless number of variations that are all considered poker. Beer pong with paddles and beirut rival poker with the diversity of rules available. This is why the Beirut House Rules Generator™ was needed.

In common use, poker games sometimes include the word poker (e.g. Pai Gow Poker), but often do not (e.g. 7 Card Stud, Texas Hold 'em). Following this example, beirut should officially be named Beirut Beer Pong, but known commonly as Beirut.

An Extended Poker Analogy

The Stud Poker naming convention converts perfectly to the Beirut Beer Pong naming convention. When referring to Stud Poker, it is more common to simply say the number of cards followed by "Stud" with no mention of "Poker" (e.g 7 Card Stud). Beirut is consistently referred to by the number of cups followed by "Beirut" (e.g. 6 Cup Beirut).

Many times 7 Card Stud will be played with additional rules such as "Low Chicago" or "Deuces Wild" (e.g. 7 Card Stud with Deuces Wild). Similar variations exist in Beirut such as "No Blowing" or "2 Balls" (e.g. 6 Cup Beirut with 2 Balls).

Conclusion

The logical reasoning and examples put forth in this article should settle once and for all the Beirut vs. Beer Pong argument. For those that are still unconvinced, settle it over a good game of beer pong...oops...beirut.

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Disclaimer: Beirut (beer pong) can be played with alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, or no beverage at all. If you choose to play beirut (beer pong) with alcoholic beverages, you should be of legal drinking age and drink responsibly.