The game of champions - coming to Buffalo

Whether it's sinking balls or chugging from notorious red cups, it was only a matter of time before someone was innovative enough to turn the game into a competitive sport.
Five years ago, Sam Pines, chief executive officer, commissioner and founder of the World Beer Pong Tour, created a league with his college roommates in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
After graduating, Pines saw the potential in a larger beer pong tournament, and in 2006 he started the New York Beer Pong Tour.
Traveling across six cities in October of that year, Pines brought with him six tables and the ambition to turn beer pong into a recognized sport.
Hosting over 50 events in the N.Y. area with an immense fan base, it was decided that the N.Y. Tour would be expanded, but under a new name – the World Beer Pong Tour.
As if things couldn't sound any better, the WBPT will be coming to Buffalo on Saturday at Bottom's Up on West Chippewa Street and Pines has created a special promotion code for University at Buffalo students. By entering SPECTRUM while registering online, students will receive $5 off all entry fees.
Entry will be $20 a player, to include one draft beer and exclusive beer specials all night. The fee will be increased to $25 at the door the night of the event, so it is recommended that teams register online to save and gain a place in the tournament.
Registration and practice time for the event will begin at 4 p.m., and the tournament will start at 5 p.m.
First place will win a three-night hotel stay and a chance to compete in the Atlantic City Championship, second place will receive a $50 gift certificate to Bottom's Up, and third and fourth place winners will receive $25 gift certificates.
'I ran a beer pong league in college that was very successful and after I graduated I wanted to continue producing beer pong events ... our company now has a presence in two countries, 18 states and over 100 cities around the world,' Pines said.
Since its creation, the WBPT has awarded over $500,000 in cash and other prizes to participants. With over 75 events held along the east coast each year, the tour continues to grow throughout the United States and Canada.
'To date, we have held over 400 tournaments, including two national tournaments, one in Montreal, Canada and one in Acapulco, Mexico,' Pines said. '[We had] our inaugural Atlantic City championship last June, where over 170 teams competed for the grand prize of $25,000 cash. This year, we're doubling the prize money to $50,000.'
However, Pines admits that not everyone is a fan of the WBPT and criticize the company's goal to turn beer pong from a game intended to get participants intoxicated, to a true competitive sport.
'Everyone should realize that drinking is just supplemental to the game, and isn't really part of it at all. This game is a hit without alcohol being involved…There will always be resistance and controversy over the game - that is why we started a movement which focuses the game to more of a sport that doesn't require the consumption of alcohol' Pines said.
In an effort to further legitimize the sport of beer pong, Pines and his staff have created rules to ensure an equal opportunity for all participants to play.
'All of our tournaments are double elimination, 10-rack, no bounce, blow, finger beer pong. [It's] similar to frat style, except there is no elbow rule. We do, however, use 8-foot tables instead of your typical 6-footer in a frat house,' Pines said.
For additional rules and regulations, Pines encourages participants to visit WBPT's Web site, www.worldpongtour.com.
Qualifying events will be held throughout the tour for the chance to compete in the 2010 Atlantic City Championship held at the Resorts Casino and Hotel in Atlantic City, N.J. on June 13 to 15.
At each qualifying event, players will need to be 21 to participate and drink. However, when it comes time for the big event in June, participants ages 18 and up may play.
Keeping in mind safety concerns, Pines has trained each of his staff members to recognize when a player is over their limit, and urges participants to use the taxi service WBPT provides when leaving the event.
'We want to promote the game as a fun activity that anyone can play regardless of height, weight [or] gender,' Pines said. 'Anyone can be a champion - that is the beauty of the game.'

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