Washer pitching - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Washers is a game, similar to horseshoes, that involves two teams of two players that take turns tossing washers towards the washer box. In order to score, one must place a washer into the box, into the can that is within the box, or within one foot (shoe size) of the box.

The object of the game is to earn points by tossing metal washers, usually around two inches in diameter, toward a hole, usually denoted by a can or pvc pipe, in a box. Washer boxes vary in size and shape, but a standard for one-hole washers is 16 X 16 X 4 inches, with a cylindrically-shaped cup (4½ inches in diameter and 5 inches in height) located in its upper surface. Boxes are placed approximately 20 feet away from each other, a distance often determined by a string attached to the front of each box. However, if a string is not attached to the box, one may take 10 paces from box-to-box, this will usually denote 20 feet.

The throwing player stands next to or behind one box and tosses washers toward the other, normally underhand. Scoring is similar to horseshoes in that the second team to throw can wash-out/rebut any points that the first team may have scored, then add to their total. Three points are awarded to a non-rebutted ringer (a washer in the cup). One point is awarded to each non-rebutted washer inside the box. Games are normally played to 21 points.

Variants

Numerous variants are practiced that vary the size of the washers, the distance they must be thrown, the configuration of the boxes, or the size and number of holes.

In Saint Louis, MO, the boxes are placed 25 feet away from each other and games are normally played to 15 points. In a three hole version, the washer boards are placed 10 feet apart. In a Pennsylvania variant, there are no boards, with the goal being to land the washers in or nearest to a short length of two-inch PVC pipe embedded in the ground 21 feet apart. One point is awarded for each washer nearer the hole than the opponent's closest, two points for "hangers" (washers protruding over the edge so that the bottom can be seen through the center), and three for "ringers."

In another version of Washer Toss, in Texas, there are no boards. The washers are 1-inch I.D., 2 1/2 inch O.D. The PVC cups are either 3-inch, 3 1/2-inch or 4-inch (3 is the preferred size) I.D., 21 feet apart. The washer "pits" (where the cups are buried) should be approximately 48 inches square and consist of a sandy or loamy soil. The game is played to 21 points. The closest washer to the cup is awarded 1 point. A "leaner" - any washer protruding over the edge of the inside of the cup - is awarded 3 points. A "ringer" gets you 5 points. If your opponent lands on your ringer, they cancel out, and the other washers are scored normally.

In a variant played in Lake George, NY

Lake George (town), New York

Lake George is a town in Warren County, New York, USA. The population was 3,578 at the 2000 census. The town is named after the lake, Lake George. Within the town is a village also named Lake George. The town is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :The lake was...

, in August 2008, the boxes are placed 10 "Garys" away (approximately 10 feet) and the participants must remain seated when pitching. Games are played to 11 points with a match made up of a best of three game series. One point is awarded for a washer "in the box", three points for a washer "in the pipe" and 2 points for a washer which remains on the box edge. Points are taken away or "cleaned" by matching previously pitched washers. This variant is not standard and should not be used by new players. It is, quite frankly, the weak way out.

In Connecticut

Connecticut

Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...

, there is yet another variation of the game. The backyard game of Washers in Connecticut is played with the Fender Washer. The game is played with two teams, consisting of two players per team, four players total. The target washer board is different from other places here. Certain towns in Connecticut (Killingly

Killingly, Connecticut

Killingly is a town in Windham County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 16,472 at the 2000 census. It consists of the borough of Danielson and the villages of Attawaugan, Ballouville, Dayville, East Killingly, Rogers, and South Killingly....

and Brooklyn

Brooklyn, Connecticut

Brooklyn is a town in Windham County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 7,173 at the 2000 census. The town center village is listed by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place...

) play with a board that is roughly 20 inches width and length. The hole in the middle is the same size of a washers box hole. However the board is also propped up by 6 inch back board, thus raising the 20 inch board on a bit of an angle, and giving the washers a three inch backboard to keep them in play. The boards are tied together by a thin white rope, and stretched out to 16 feet apart, using the rope for a straight line, as well as the proper length of field. Games are played to 21, 1 point for on the board, 3 for in the hole. Also scoring rules vary, however the opponents have the opportunity to cancel out points by the opposing team, either by tying their shot, and also have the possibility to win over a round by outscoring the other opponents shots. Such as if the opposing team placed two on the board for 2 points, and the other team places one on the board, and one in the whole, that is a total of 4 points, and that team would receive 2 points for canceling the others out.

In the Sai Kung area of Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...

, a variant of the game known as Hong Kong "Holeyboard" has become popular amongst local expatriates living in the area. It is a derivative of original washers, and was brought over to Hong Kong

Hong Kong

by North Americans who moved to the area some years ago. It is usually played on the roof terrace of a participant's home and a unique set of rules (and boxes) have evolved over the years. Each player, or team must stand on a three holed "Holeyboard" placed ten feet apart. Each player is given three washers each. The closest hole is one point, the middle hole three and the furthest hole five, with three washers landing on the board scoring one (Although you cannot win the game using this method). The game is to 21. 'wash outs' (a washer landing on your opponent's) apply and the player must finish on exactly 21- if a player goes over, the amount is deducted from the players score. If a player's washer bounces back and is within the player's grasp, the player may attempt to reach the washer while standing on the board. If the player successfully picks up the washer, he gets to throw it again. A "cycle" is the highest accolade in Holeyboard, it is when a player manages to hit each of the three holes with their three washers. This results in an instant win and is rewarded by the player being able to sign his name on the back of the Holeyboard. One player, known as the "Smart Bomb

Smart bomb

Smart bomb has several meanings:* In weapons, a smart bomb is a precision-guided munition* Smart Bomb Interactive, a video game development studio based in Salt Lake City, Utah...

" for his accuracy, is known to have so far scored 37 cycles in his two year Holeyboard career.

In Hawaiʻi

Hawaii

Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...

there is a variant played with a 15inx15in box, 6in front, and 11in backboard called variously "Portuguese horseshoes," "Potagee horseshoes," "Podagee horseshoes," "Portagee horseshoes," etc. Games are generally played to 30, with 1 point for on the box, 2 for leaner or covering part of the hole, 3 for in the hole, automatic win if you land balancing on the backboard.

In Colorado there is a variant played (similar to the Illinois version) with 15"x15" boxes constructed of 2x4s, with a 4" pvc pipe in the middle. Sand is placed in the box and pipe. 3/4" washers are used (inside measurement) and the boxes are place 30 feet apart (measured from front of the box to front of the box). A player stands at each box. To score points, each player gets 5 washers to throw one at a time. The goal is to land the washers inside or close to the opponent’s washer box. The object of the game is to score 21 points before the opponent. When a player scores 21 points, the game is not necessarily over. The opponent is granted the opportunity to throw again (fair-ups) to force a tie or over-time. If the opponent fails to force a tie, the game is over. A winner is determined once the opponent completes his fair-ups and is unable to tie or take the lead. A washer in the pipe (called a dinger) is worth 5 points. A washer in the box, outside of the pipe, is worth 2 points. A washer resting on the rim of the box is worth 3 points. A washer leaning on the outside of the box, or within one washer of the box is worth 1 point. This game can be played as singles or doubles. There is an annual Colorado Washers Tournament held in Denver, CO.

In the Central Illinois

Illinois

Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...

Washers variant, the setup is different. Also, instead of boards or pits, "boxes" are used to throw toward. The rules for this variant are as follows:

Equipment

Boxes (2):

- Wood - 2 x 4 sides (15” outside / 12” inside); Plywood bottom (1/2-3/4” thick – 15” x 15” square)
- Carpet - (12” x 12” – thickness optional, short/medium is preferable)
- Pipe - (4” PVC) – cut to a height that is level w/ top of side boards. (Recommend using industrial adhesive for securing PVC and carpet.)

Washers (4):

- Steel or brass - 2 ½” outside – 1” inside (approx. 1/8” thick). Drill 2 small opposing holes in 2 of the 4 washers for team designation

Set Up

The boxes are placed 30’ apart (front of Box 1 to front of Box 2) on level ground, preferably going North and South to avoid sunlight distraction for one side/player.

General Rules

Players throw the washers in attempt to get in, on or near to the box or in the pipe. When throwing, the player may stride forward of the front of the box or remain entirely in back of the box, but at least one foot must remain behind the front of the box. (The front is the side facing the opponent.) In other words, players may stand next to the box and stride past it with one foot. Players throw 2 washers each, throwing both before the opponent throws their two. (Based on a traditional 4-player game. Variations listed below.) A player may throw both washers at once, but it’s not recommended for accuracy. Style of throw is dependent only upon player preference. The scoring team throws first in the next round.

Scoring

Simple scoring is as follows:

1 pt – within one foot of the box OR leaning next to the box OR under the box

2 pt – lying on the top edge of the box

3 pt – inside the box, but not in the pipe

5 pt – inside the pipe

Note: Only one team/player can score per round.

Scoring situations

1) Player 1 throws both washers five feet away from the box while Player 2 throws one in the box and one 10” from the box. Player 2 scores 4 (3 + 1).

2) Player 1 throws one away and one within 5” of the box. Player 2 throws one away and one in the pipe. Even though Player 1 has a valid 1-pt., his washer is cancelled out by Player 2’s throw in the pipe. Player 2 scores 5.

3) Player 1 throws one in the box and one within 10” of the box. Player 2 throws both within 5” of the box. Player 2 cancelled out Player 1’s 1-pt. throw, but is still outside of Player 1’s box throw. Because player 1 was in the box, it cancelled out both of player 2’s close throws. Player 1 scores 3.

• If each team throws a washer under the box or both throw a leaner, they cancel each other out and neither scores. If one team throws a washer under the box and the other team throws a leaner, the team under the box scores. However, any throw in the box or pipe cancels ALL opposing washers outside the box, whether they are within 12", leaning, or under the box.

After all 4 washers have been thrown, points are tallied. It is possible for a washer to knock another washer into a better OR worse position during play. If one washer should move, shift or alter another washer during a throw, the final resting places of both washers are noted and scores tallied accordingly.

Note: All end scores must be reached EXACTLY. If a player scores too many points in a round, they must subtract that round’s point value from their score previous to the round and continue play. Example: In a 4-player game to 21 points, Team 1 has 19 points, but throws one in the box. Team 1 loses 3 points, going back to 16 points, and the next round begins. All scoring washers in the round are counted toward the negative score, not just the throw that exceeded the limit. Example: Team 1 has 16 points, then throws one in the box for an interim 3 points, but then throws the second in the box as well for a total of 6 points. Adding that 6 points to the beginning score of 16 exceeds the 21-pt goal, so the team deducts 6 points from 16 and starts the next round with 10 points.

Game Variations

4-player games (2 to each team) play to 21 points.

3-player games (each for themselves) play to 31 points.

2-player games (each for themselves) play to 51 points.