Horseshoes Game

A backyard horseshoes game for one player against the computer. Drag back and release to pitch each shoe at the stake: a ringer scores 3, a shoe within six inches scores 1, and the first to 21 wins.

How to play Horseshoes Game

• The setup: two stakes stand 40 feet apart in sand pits. Players take turns pitching two horseshoes at the far stake. One round of everyone pitching both shoes is called an inning.
• Ringers: a shoe that lands encircling the stake is a ringer and is worth 3 points.
• Close shoes: a shoe that lands within six inches of the stake (about one shoe width, shown by the dotted circle) is "in count". The shoe closest to the stake scores 1 point, or 2 if both of your shoes are closer than either of your opponent's.
• Cancellation scoring: only one player scores in an inning. Ringers cancel each other out, so if you both throw one, neither ringer counts and the next closest shoe decides the point. A ringer plus your closer second shoe scores 4; two ringers against none score 6.
• Whoever scored in the last inning pitches first in the next. The first player to reach the target (21 by default) with the higher score wins.

Controls

• Mouse or touch: press anywhere, drag down to set the power and sideways to aim, then release. The bar on the right shows power; the line marked Stake is a perfect-length pitch.
• Keyboard: Up/Down set the power, Left/Right aim (hold Shift for fine steps), Space to pitch.
• P or Esc pauses.

Tips

• Aim to land right on the Stake mark of the power bar. A shoe that lands a little short still scores when it is in count.
• Your hand wobbles a little on every pitch, so even a perfect aim will not ring every time. Keep the same aim after a good shoe.
• When the computer has a ringer on the stake, only your own ringer can cancel it.
• On Easy a small circle shows where your shoe is aimed, which helps you learn the power.

FAQ

What are the basic rules of horseshoes?

Players pitch two horseshoes at a stake 40 feet away. A ringer (a shoe around the stake) scores 3 points and the closest shoe within six inches scores 1. In backyard games only one player scores per inning and the first to 21 wins.

How does scoring work in a game of horseshoes?

With cancellation scoring, ringers from both players cancel out. Any ringer left over is worth 3, and each shoe that is in count and closer than all of your opponent's shoes adds 1. Possible inning scores are 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6.

How far apart are horseshoe stakes?

In official play the stakes are 40 feet apart. Many backyard games and younger players use a shorter line, often around 30 feet.

What happens if both players throw a ringer?

The two ringers cancel each other out. The remaining shoes are then compared, and only the closest shoe within six inches scores.

Do you have to reach exactly 21?

No. In this game the first player to reach the target with more points than the opponent wins. You can also choose a quick game to 11 or a long game to 40.