How to Build a Plinko Board – Drinko

How to make a Plinko Board

My favorite game on the “price is right” was always plinko and I’ve always wanted to make one just never had a reason. I have seen a lot of people convert plinko to drinko and turn it in to a fun drinking game. I have my own Fantasy Football league and one of the struggles is how we pick our draft order every year. One year we did K1 go-kart racing, another we played beer pong with hidden numbers on the bottom of each cup, this year I needed something new. This was the perfect opportunity to build my Drinko/Plinko game.

You will need: (shop supplies here)

• 1 or 2 – 1/4″ pegboard – 24″ by 48″ (I used 2 so the dowels could sit inside without glue)
• 3 –  8′ / 1×3″ boards
• 1/2″ finishing nails
• 8 – 48″ size 1/4 dowels cut to 2″
• Wood Glue
• Orbital Sander or Sand Paper
• Screws
• Saw – Miter Saw
• Ping pong ball (this ended up working way better than everything else I tired and surprisingly doesn’t fall out)

Step 1 – Make your cuts 

Cut your 1×3 boards. This will be your frame around your peg board .

• Cut 2 – 48″ pieces, these will be the sides
• Cut 1 – 22 1/4″ piece, this will be thebottom center

Step 2. – Attach Frame

Screw your frame together, when its done it will look like a giant U. Clamp to your peg board and attach your U shaped frame. Pre-drilling holes is recommended.

Step 3. – Cut Dowels

Cut your dowels down to 2″ sizes using a miter saw or hand saw. I stained mine, it was a huge pain in the ass.

Step 4. – Cut Bottom Pocket Pieces

You can make as many pocket holes as you want, these will be where the ball ends up.
I made 6 pockets and for this I used left over 1×3 boards and cut them down to 5″ sizes.
I then Clamped and used Wood Glue to secure them in place.

Step 5. – Paint and Design

I went with a less creative but super manly all dark flat black color. Paint yours however you want.

Step 6. – Attach 2″ Dowels

Depending on what your using for a disc or ball will determine the size and spacing of your dowels. I went with a ping pong ball which required me to put a dowel in every OTHER hole. 11 dowels per row with a 2 row gap between dowels.

Step 7. – Cut and Attach Legs

There are probably better leg designs out there, this isthe super simple way I did it with left over scrap materials around my garage. I cut 2 – 42 1/2″ 1×3 boards and attached them to each side with 2 1/2″ bolts and nuts. Then I attached some string so they would only pull out 16″. I then make shifted a little locking system for when I’m storing them

It was a success!