Ideally, you will show up to the tailgate bright and early already drunk. A very wise man once told me that a hangover was just alcohol withdrawal… this thought will help you Saturday morning, believe me. Start slow with hot chocolate and peppermint schnapps, or start hard with cider and rum. If you want to start really hard – but pacing is important! – just pick up whatever Solo cup is next you when you wake up. School spirit(s)!

Once you get to the tailgate, you can continue drinking any of the above or take advantage of the one day of the year when the keg has something nicer in it than Keystone Light. Then, play this game:

TAKE ONE SIP IF:
– you realize you and everyone you know is wearing the Sig Ep “Harvard Sucks” sunglasses
– you spot a woman in a long fur coat
– your dean or master is manning the keg
– you spill a drink on a Harvarder
– you see someone get in trouble with the police
– you spot the real Handsome Dan
– a Cantab admits that our tailgate > theirs

TAKE TWO SIPS IF:
– you run into a relative and you’re already drunk
– you run into a professor
– you yourself get in trouble with the police… the Game is a “big deal” for Perrotti
– you pee outside
– you start shivering
– you see a man in a long fur coat
– you accidentally step on Handsome Dan

CHUG IF:
– you boot and need to rally
– you realize you missed the first half of the Game
– you get lost at the Harvard tailgate– it’s the only way to deal when surrounded by Cantabs.

For more coverage of the Harvard-Yale Game 2009, check out our Game topic page!