Horseshoes Rules: How to Play, Pitch and Score

These horseshoes rules cover everything you need for a game in the backyard, at the park or at a family reunion: how far apart the stakes go, how to pitch, what counts as a ringer, and how to keep score. Horseshoes is a simple lawn game of tossing heavy U-shaped shoes at a metal stake, and it rewards a smooth, steady throw more than strength. We give the official-style rules most leagues use, then the relaxed backyard version and a few variations. Pair it with cornhole or ladder toss for a full afternoon of lawn games.

Quick rules

• Set two stakes 40 feet apart (27 feet for kids, beginners and some adult divisions).
• Each player pitches two shoes per turn from behind the foul line at one stake toward the other.
• A ringer, a shoe that encircles the stake, scores 3 points.
• Any shoe within 6 inches of the stake, including a leaner, scores 1 point.
• In cancellation scoring only the player with the closer shoes scores, and ringers cancel each other out.
• First to 40 points wins a standard game; many backyard games play to 21.

What you need

• Four horseshoes, two of one color or marking for each side. Regulation shoes weigh up to 2 pounds 10 ounces; lighter shoes are better for children.
• Two metal stakes, about 1 inch thick.
• A tape measure or a measuring stick for close calls.
• A soft landing area (sand, clay or loose soil) around each stake, often called the pit.
• 2 players for singles or 4 for doubles. Make fair teams quickly with the team generator.

Setup

1. Drive the two stakes into the ground 40 feet apart, measured from where they come out of the ground.
2. Leave 14 to 15 inches of each stake showing above the ground, leaning about 3 inches toward the opposite stake.
3. Mark a foul line 3 feet in front of each stake (37 feet from the far stake). Players pitch from behind this line.
4. For younger players and casual games, add a shorter foul line at 27 feet from the far stake, or set the stakes closer.
5. Keep spectators well to the side and never stand near the target stake while someone is pitching.

How to play

Singles

1. Toss a coin to decide who pitches first.
2. Both players stand at the same end. The first player pitches both shoes at the far stake, then the second player pitches both of theirs. This is one inning.
3. Walk to the far stake, score the inning, collect the shoes and pitch back the other way.
4. In cancellation scoring, whoever scored in the inning pitches first next time. If nobody scored, the player who pitched second in that inning goes first next time.

Doubles

1. One player from each team stands at each stake.
2. The two players at one end pitch an inning against each other, then their partners at the far end pitch back.
3. Partners never pitch from the same end, so nobody walks back and forth.

Pitching rules

• Your foot must not go over the foul line until the shoe has left your hand.
• A shoe that lands outside the pit, or hits a board or object first, scores nothing and is removed before the next shoe is measured.
• Do not touch or move any shoes until the inning has been scored.

Scoring

Cancellation scoring (standard)

Only one side scores each inning. Ringers cancel ringers, then the closest shoe within 6 inches decides who gets the remaining points.

• One ringer each: they cancel, so if neither has another shoe closer, nobody scores.
• Two ringers against one ringer: one cancels, so the player with two scores 3.
• No ringers, and your shoe is closest: you score 1. If both your shoes are closer than either of your opponent's, you score 2.
• One ringer and a close shoe against nothing: you score 4.
• Two ringers against none: 6 points, the most possible in one inning.

Count-all scoring

Each player scores every point they make, and ringers do not cancel. Leagues using this system usually play a set number of shoes, often 40 per player, and the higher total wins.

How to win

With cancellation scoring, the first player or team to reach 40 points wins. You do not need to hit 40 exactly. Backyard games often play to 21 for a shorter match.

Variations

• Backyard rules: play to 21, count leaners as 2, and use a 30-foot distance for everyone.
• Win by two: some families require a two-point lead to win.
• Kids rules: use plastic or rubber shoes, 20 to 27 feet apart, and count any shoe touching the stake as a point.
• Pole and disc lawn game: sometimes called Polish horseshoes, this is a different game where teams throw a flying disc at an object balanced on top of a pole. It shares the name but not the rules.

Tips and strategy

• Use a consistent grip. Hold the shoe by the side, at the middle of the curve, and keep the same grip every throw.
• Aim for a flip or a turn. Most good pitchers use a one and a quarter turn or a flip so the shoe arrives open toward the stake.
• Swing like a pendulum. A smooth underhand swing with a step on the opposite foot works better than a hard throw.
• Arc it high. A higher arc lands softer and stays near the stake.
• Measure close calls. Use a tape rather than arguing about which shoe is nearer.

House rules to agree first

• Distance between stakes and where each player pitches from.
• Cancellation or count-all scoring, and the target score.
• Whether leaners score 1 or 2.
• Safety: nobody walks to the stake until all four shoes have been pitched.

More outdoor fun: see bocce, kubb and our full list of outdoor games.