This article is a warning to anyone wishing to study at Cambridge University, as well as a chance for me to get down - in writing - the rules of this drinking 'sport', as I see them. But first a little explanation is required.

Pennying involves the placing of a 1 penny piece into another's drink. The 'pennied' person must now down that glass of wine/beer or face the wrath of the collected student body. There are, however, many rules that the unwary may slip up on. They are...

1. If pennied the pennied person MUST drink their drink. They do not have to pour another one.
2. One may only penny another person if one has an alcoholic drink as well. It need not be a full glass however...
3. The pennied person is allowed a short time to psyche themself up beforehand - as long as they do, eventually, down it. Usually the time allowed is around one minute. But as people are usually WAY too drunk to be this accurate as regards time - who cares?
4. If a second penny is placed into the glass duing this time period there shall be a cry of 'Double penny!!' and the 2nd pennier MUST down the double-pennied glass.
5. Pennies may only be dropped into glasses that have been requested, whether by a specific asking for a glass or any sort of non-verbal agreement (e.g. a nod). Thus pouring and pennying (the action of pouring someone a glass and then pennying them IS allowed).
6. If a pennied person pennies another glass then that 2nd pennied person does not have to down their drink until the primary pennied person has finished theirs.
7. A person may be pennied AT ANY TIME. No prior agreement to play has to be made. The mere acceptance of a place at Cambridge University covers that. (It's in the small print)
8. Stephen Hawking may not be pennied.¹(Not an official rule this, just a warning.)

1. Food may also be pennied as long as it is liquid(ish) and therefore downable. Yoghurt is VERY suitable. The pennied person must now eat the food without cutlery of any kind. Extra style marks will be awarded for downing the food.
2. If there are no pennies to hand, or are banned then several alternatives may be used. These include smarties², used just like pennies; and forks, knives and spoons³. These are used as follows. When placed into a glass the 'placee' must say⁴The spoon of doom or The knife of strife as appropriate. If you can think of a rhyme for fork then use that as well.

PLEASE NOTE THESE RULES ARE IN NO WAY OFFICIAL OR EVEN FULLY ACCURATE. THEY MERELY REPRESENT HOW THE AUTHOR HAS SEEN THE RULES IN CAIUS COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE. THE AUTHOR ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILTY FOR DRUNKENNESS THAT MAY RESULT

Related articles, in the life at Caius series: Boat races caius style

neilfish

27.03.03 Front Page

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