In the fall of 2009, Xtreme Sports Bar & Lounge opened inside the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nev., with a promise to deliver on its name. “Xtreme is a concept meant to embrace the younger extreme sp
orts fan as well as (giving) the traditional sports fan the best possible viewing experience,” explains Richard Silverman, Grand Sierra’s president and CEO. The grand opening of the sports bar featured a record-breaking jump by nationally recognized motocross rider Ryan Capes, who shattered his previous record by jumping 316 feet ramp-to-ramp outside the venue. In addition to awe-inducing stunts outside, the bar also offers classic comforts inside like great beers on tap, memorabilia on the walls, premium spirits and 40 high-definition televisions.
No venue can exist on extreme sports alone, however, so with that in mind, managers set out to create a night that would appeal to the bar’s clientele: a beer pong tournament with a huge prize. 
“Sports bars have changed very little over the past 50 years, but the audience and the types of sports which they are attracted to have changed dramatically,” explains Silverman. “Our beer pong tournament is held every Thursday Night as part of what we call ‘Xtreme U’ (as in University). It’s our version of College Night. We started the events about three months ago and have had a packed house since. The events are done classic Beruit-style with an Xtreme twist. Our prize is $1,000 – the biggest purse in Reno. The competition is fiercely competitive. To promote competitiveness we allow for a re-buy in the first round if your team is knocked out early.”
Beer pong is coupled with a 50-cent price tag on all shooters and a varied domestic and imported beer menu, delivered tableside by the Xtreme Girls.
“The concept is to seed the party with affordable items on a more limited specialty menu basis and give the patron great values that promote spending in other areas of the venue,” Silverman says.