Washer pitching is a physical game of skill similar to horseshoes and is most popular in North America. The game is variously referred to as washers, washer pitching, washer toss, "Texas Horseshoes" or washoos (a portmanteau of washers and horseshoes
The object of the game is to earn points by tossing metal washers, usually around two inches in diameter, toward a hole in a board or box. Washer boxes vary in size and shape, but a standard for one-hole washers is 16 X 16 X 5½ inches, with a cylindrically-shaped cup (4½ inches in diameter and 4 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.
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.
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 "hanger" - any washer protruding over the edge of the inside of the cup - is awarded 2 points. A "cupper" gets you 3 points. There are no "leaners" or "ringers," those are Horseshoe pitching terms. If your opponent ands on your cupper, they cancel out, and the other washers are scored normally.
In a variant played in Lake George, NY,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.
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