Washer pitching

In Alberta, Canada, the game is simply called Washers, and boxes are not used. The washers are 2 1/2" diameter with a 1" hole. The scoring surface is a 1/2 in thick board, approximately 20 in wide × 24 in long with a 4 1/2 in hole in the middle. A 2x8, is nailed to the end of the scoring surface to form a "T" shape. The scoring surface is angled towards the pitcher (see scoring pictures link below).

Alberta Scoring Scoring pictures

• Single: 1 point is awarded for a washer that comes to rest completely on the scoring surface.
• Hanger: 2 points are awarded for a washer that comes to rest with a portion of the washer hanging off the playing surface (whether that is the side, front, or the hole).
• Hole Shot: 3 points are awarded for a washer that ends up in the hole,
• Leaner: 4 points are awarded if the washer comes to rest on an angle against the upright piece of the board but not lying flat on the scoring surface.
• Upper Decker: 5 points are awarded if the washer comes to rest lying flat on top of the back board.

Leaner and upper deckers are incredibly rare. No points are awarded for close throws. The scoring surfaces are placed approximately 20 ft apart.

The first game's first throw is decided by a best-of-1 game of rock-paper-scissors. The winner chooses whether they want to throw first or second. Once the order is determined, players on one side take alternating turns throwing a washer, The washers cancel each other out, much like in curling. Games go up to exactly 11. If a team goes over 11, they go back down to zero. Also like "the hammer" in curling, the team who scored the previous round shoots first in the next round, giving the advantage to the team who did not score in the previous round.

Sample Game using Alberta Boards and Scoring

The game is popular at Slo-Pitch tournaments and other outdoor festivities.

In Nova Scotia, Canada, the game is an East Coast favourite often called washer toss, Sewers, or South Mountain Horseshoes. The game consists of two open 35 cm boxes, each with a 10 cm length of PVC pipe mounted in the centre. The scoring surface is lined with red felt or other fabrics.[3] The boxes are separated by a distance of 6 metres. 1 point is awarded for a washer that comes to rest completely on the scoring surface, 3 points are awarded for a washer that ends up in the hole, and the player wins the game if the washer comes to rest lying flat on top of the upright board or they reach 21. No points are awarded for close throws. Some people throw two washers at once or pitch with their non-dominant hand. The game is popular at community events, festivals, camping or at the cottage.[4]

In Ontario, Canada, the game is largely played at social gatherings like barbecues or campingrounds, usually with alcohol involved. The game is known as washer toss, washers and sewers, or washers and cooters. Rules and equipment vary, but there is a common theme to use the word 'cooter' as much as possible throughout the game. Overhand throws are allowed and some believe offer greater accuracy.

In the Sai Kung area of Hong Kong, 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 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 1 point, the middle hole 3 and the furthest hole 5, with 3 washers landing on the board scoring 1 (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.

In Arizona, there is a variant washers game called 1,2,5 or 3-holed washers. The game uses an outdoor carpet covered 2′ x 4′ boards made of 5/8″ particle board on a 2′x2′ frame. There are three holes 5″ in diameter that are 12″ apart on center. The players toss three 3.5″ Zinc washers while standing on one board to the opposite board. The boards are 10 feet apart. Games are played to 21 with holes being worth 1 point, 2 points and 5 points from front to back. Each player tosses all three washers consecutively. Who throws first aka "Control of the board" goes to the team who had the highest scoring toss from the previous round. Covers aka ″point cancellations″ are allowed only when a team scores 21 points. Covers cancel out the winning point(s) and allow the game to continue. When a team busts (goes over 21 points) they go back to 0 points. A team who busts 2 times automatically loses. If in any round a player gets a ″1, 2, 5″ that team automatically wins. A ″1, 2, 5″ is making all three washers in all three holes on one turn.

The inaugural California state 1,2,5 Washers Wide Open Tournament was held on March 10 and March 11 at South Carlsbad Beach State Park in Carlsbad, CA.

In Colorado, there is a variant played (similar to the Illinois version) with 15 in × 15 in boxes constructed of 2 × 4s, with a 4 in PVC pipe in the middle. Sand is placed in the box and pipe. ​³⁄₄ in (inside diameter) washers are used and the boxes are placed 30 ft apart (measured from front of the box to front of the box). A player stands at each box. To score points, each player gets five 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 one point. This game can be played as singles or doubles. There is an annual Colorado Washers Tournament held in Denver, Colorado.

In Connecticut, 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 and Brooklyn) 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 Hawaiʻi there is a variant played with a 15 in × 15 in box, 6 in front, and 11 in backboard called variously "Portuguese horseshoes," "Podagee 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 the Kentucky State Washer Pitching Championships, two teams of one or two players pitch 2​¹⁄₈ in (outside diameter) washers at a 3-in hole, with children pitching from a distance of 25 ft and adults from 30 ft. Games go to 21 points, and must be won by two points. Matches are decided by winning two out of three games.[5]

In Michigan, there is a two to six player variant in which there are no teams and every man plays for himself. Two boxes are placed next to each other. Multiple different color washers are used and all players throw towards the two boxes from a distance of twenty feet. Initial player order is randomly determined at the start of the game and after the first round, is then determined by the player with the most points throwing first, second most - second, and so on. In turn, each player throws all three of his/her washers. Total points are then calculated like a normal washer game with the exception that there are two boxes, and each box scores itself. Scoring and rebutting occurs after all washers have been thrown by all players. The first individual player to 21 points is the winner. Have to win by two. This variation will create team dynamics within the game as the game leader can easily be targeted minimizing their points.

In Saint Louis, Missouri, the washers are The washers are 1-inch I.D., 2 1/2 inch O.D. x 1/8 inch thick. The boxes are 12” × 12”(inside measurement) and are spaced 21ft apart. The can may also be created with a large coffee can,[1] with no sand or astro-turf on the base. The games are played to 21 with a mercy (skunk) rule of 11-0. Three washers are thrown per turn with cans counting as 2 points and anything in the box counting as 1 point. Cancel play is enforced when one player matches the other players throw but a can cancels all boxes. Many variations are played, but these are the rules for the Busch Washer League tournaments held across the state. The game is also part of the Missouri State Senior Games.[6]

In Las Cruces, New Mexico, huachas (a Spanish name for washers) uses washers with 2​¹⁄₂-in outside diameter and 1-in inside diameter. Washers are thrown into a 3- or 4-in hole, with the two holes placed 25 or 30 ft apart. A 5 ft × 3 ft area around the cup, called the "pit", may be framed with wood or tape and filled with soil. The player whose washer lands closest to the hole earns one point, and landing the washer in the hole will garner four points. A "hanger" is a washer teetering on the edge of the hole, and can earn a player extra points. The first player to reach 21 points is the winner.[7]

In a variant played in Lake George, New York, 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. 1 point is awarded for a washer "in the box", 3 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.

Texas is the birthplace of washers. The original version was created during the oil boom of 1901 and in that version, there were no boards.[8] The washers are 1-inch I.D., 2 1/2 inch O.D. x 1/8 inch thick. The PVC cups are either 3-inch, 3​¹⁄₂-inch or 4-inch (3 is the preferred size) I.D., 21 feet apart.[9] 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 touching leaner is awarded 3 points. A "ringer" gets you 5 points.

The World Championship Tournament is held at the Oatmeal Festival in Bertram Texas on Labor Day weekend.

The Central/Southern Illinois Washers variant uses square or octagon wooden boxes with either 1 x 4 or 2 × 4 sides (12 inches from inside edge to inside edge). The boxes have plywood bottoms and are sometimes lined with carpet or filled with sand in an attempt to reduce "bounce-out". A 4-inch PVC pipe is cut to a height that is level with the top of the side boards and is placed in the center of the box. The boxes are placed 25 ft apart (measured from the center of each pvc pipe) on level ground, preferably going North and South to avoid sunlight distraction for one side/player.

Six steel or brass washers are used (3 for each team), having (2​¹⁄₂-inch outer diameter and 1-inch inside diameter and approximately ​¹⁄₈-inch thickness. Each set of 3 washers are spray-painted a different color (typically red/blue or red/yellow) to differentiate and make them easy to find in grass.

Players throw the washers in attempt to get them inside the box or better yet, inside 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. The game consists of 4 players (2 players on each team where one teammate from each team stands at each box and throws against the other team member standing at that box), players throw three washers each, throwing all three before the opponent throws their three. The style of throw is dependent only upon player preference, and the scoring team throws first in the next round.

Which team throws first in a game is decided by one team member for each team throwing one washer. Whoever is closest to the pipe (inside or outside the box) has choice on which team throws first.

Players earn three points for a washer landing inside the box but not inside the pipe. Five points are scored if a washer lands inside the pipe. No points are scored for a washer landing outside the box or leaning on the outside of the box.

Only one team/player scores per round, and "cancelling" rules DO apply:

1. Player 1 throws all three washers outside the box while Player 2 throws one in the box (not in the pipe) and two outside the box. Player 2 scores 3 points.
2. Player 1 throws one inside the box and two outside the box. Player 2 also throws one inside the box and two outside the box. Even though Player 1 has a valid 3-pt. throw, his washer is cancelled out by Player 2's throw in the box. No score in this round and the last team to score in a previous round throws first in the next round.
3. Player 1 throws 2 inside the box, and 1 outside the box. Player 2 throws 1 in the cup, 1 inside the box and 1 outside the box. Player 2's cup throw cancels out both of Player 1's 3-pt. throws and player 1's other box throw was cancelled by one of player 2's box throws. Player 2 scores 5. Cup throws always cancel out all opposing box throws.

After all 6 washers have been thrown, points are tallied. It is possible (albeit rare in this variant) 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. Because washers can hit each other during play and affect their final position, do not move any washers until all are thrown.

The first team to reach 21 points (MUST WIN BY 2) will be declared the winner.

A "skunk" is when one team scores 11 or more and the other team scores 0. In the event of this score, the game is now over and the team with 11 pts wins.