Washer Toss Rules
Match the rules to your targets, then count cup and box washers or the holes on a board.
- Published single-cup footprint
- 20 × 5 ft(6.1 × 1.52 m)
- Players
- 2–4 players, alone or in teams
- Scoring
- Compare round totals and award only the difference
- Winning
- First side to reach 21 wins
Court and dimensions
TLG single-cup play with common box construction
All measurements and other layouts
| Dimension | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 20 ft | 6.1 m |
| Box side | 16 in | 40.6 cm |
| Cup diameter | 4.5 in | 11.4 cm |
The Triangle Lawn Games sheet states neither a box side nor a cup diameter; the 16 in box and 4.5 in cup here are a common construction reference from Wikipedia.
| Dimension | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 10 ft | 3.05 m |
| Board length | 48 in | 121.9 cm |
| Board width | 12 in | 30.5 cm |
| Hole diameter | 4 in | 10.2 cm |
| Hole spacing | 12 in | 30.5 cm |
FCRV uses two 12 × 48 in boards with three 4 in holes, the outer holes 12 in centre to centre from the middle hole. A 10 ft connector fixes separation, but the rules do not define its endpoints.
How to play
Equipment
Three-hole board
2 ×Size and equipment notes
Key size 48 in
A 10 ft rope, chain or cable joins the boards; the rules do not define its measurement endpoints.
FCRV boards are 12 × 48 in on 2 × 4 frames, with 4 in holes spaced 12 in centre to centre.
Three-hole washers per side
3 ×Size and equipment notes
Key size 3 in
Use two distinguishable sets of three.
FCRV uses standard 3 in washers; player-owned washers must be at least 2 15/16 in and no more than 4.5 oz.
Single-cup washers per player or team
4 ×Size and equipment notes
Triangle Lawn Games gives each player or team four washers.
Which set do you have?
Look at the targets before you pick a rule sheet, because the two kinds of set score differently.
- One cup in the middle of a box or board: play the single-cup game on this page, from the Triangle Lawn Games sheet.
- Two long boards with a row of holes, joined by a rope: play a three-hole format. The tournament version comes from FCRV; the exact-finish house version comes from WashersGame.com. Both are in the variants below.
Use the instructions supplied with your set to check its hardware.
Setup
For single-cup play, place the targets about 20 ft (6.1 m) apart on flat ground. Give each player or team 4 washers. Three-hole boards use their own spacing and washer count; see the three-hole tournament variant.
Find the starting side and throw a set
Use a closest-to-cup diddle to choose the first TLG throw; repeat the diddle after a tie.
The starting side throws its full set, then the opponent throws. The previous round winner leads next. Triangle Lawn Games permits a player to throw from either side with one foot beyond the target front. (TLG washer rulebook, p. 1)
Teams switch sides before the next round begins. (TLG washer rulebook, p. 1)
Cup, box and cancellation
Leave the washers where they finish until both sides agree the count. Total each side’s cup and box values, then award the difference to the higher side.
Triangle Lawn Games single-cup play
Match the scoring to your target
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Washer in the cup or hole | 3 points |
| Washer in the box or on the board | 1 point |
Compare round totals and award only the difference.
How the game is won
- 21 points or more
Variants and house rules
Single cup (Triangle Lawn Games)
Its ordinary finish allows a side to pass the target. Exact finish is optional, with a different overage calculation from the retailer’s three-hole sheet.
If you have seen a longer distance quoted online: IAWP's separate washers-pit game plays 25 ft cup centre to cup centre, gives each player two washers and scores 5 points for a washer in the cup; that is a different game from the box, board or cup targets drawn on this page. (IAWP rules, Rules page)
Three-hole board, tournament (FCRV)
Use 2 boards measuring 48 in (121.9 cm) by 12 in (30.5 cm) and 3 washers per side. The supplied connector is 10 ft (3.05 m) long; its attachment endpoints are unspecified.
FCRV awards the difference between hole totals and plays a scheduled set of rounds. Carpet scores nothing. A washer bumped into a hole keeps its value for its original side.
Under FCRV rules, crossing the board front with either foot before the washer travels to the far board is a foul; remove that washer before the next throw. (FCRV washer rules, Rules 3.b and 4.a)
FCRV treats a bounced washer as a foul; see the bounced-washer answer below.
FCRV lets players stand on the boards or beside them while tossing, as long as they do not cross the foul line. (FCRV washer rules, PLAY)
Three-hole board, exact finish (WashersGame.com)
Singles throws from the starting end and then moves. In doubles, partners stay at opposite boards and the round continues at the other end. Matching opposing washers in the same hole cancel.
Its overage rule subtracts the whole scoring turn from the prior total. That is different from the optional manufacturer calculation.
TLG optional exact-finish variationScoring & finish
TLG optional exact-finish variation
Point values match Triangle Lawn Games single-cup play.
How the game is won
- 21 points exactly
Going over: Subtract only the amount by which the total exceeded 21.
FCRV three-hole tournamentScoring & finish
FCRV three-hole tournament
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Washer in the near hole | 1 point |
| Washer in the middle hole | 3 points |
| Washer in the far hole | 5 points |
Compare hole totals and award only the difference.
How the game is won
- Highest points total after 10 rounds
Tie: Play one-round playoffs until one side leads.
WashersGame.com exact-21 house rulesScoring & finish
WashersGame.com exact-21 house rules
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Washer through the near hole | 1 point |
| Washer through the middle hole | 3 points |
| Washer through the far hole | 5 points |
Opposing washers in matching holes cancel.
How the game is won
- 21 points exactly
Going over: Subtract the scoring turn from the prior total after an overshoot.
Common disputes
Does a washer resting on the board score?
It depends on the format. Triangle Lawn Games gives a board or box washer its published value. FCRV lists hole values and no carpet value.
Does a washer on the cup rim count as a ringer?
The published box-and-cup and board sheets do not name or rule on a washer resting over the rim. IAWP's separate in-ground pit game defines a hanger as a washer that overhangs the cup lip without dropping in, and does not count it as a cup washer. (IAWP glossary, Glossary; IAWP rules, Rules page) Agree whether a rim washer counts as a cup washer or a box washer before anyone throws.
Does a bounced washer count?
Not under the two sheets that rule on it. Under FCRV rules, a washer that bounces or rebounds onto the board is a foul and comes off before the next throw. (FCRV washer rules, Rules 3.b and 4.b)
Franklin's box-and-hole washers manual gives the same ruling for its own target: a washer may not bounce into the box, and one that hits the ground before landing in the box scores nothing. (Franklin washers manual, Scoring)
Neither source rules on a washer that bounces once and then drops through a hole without resting on the board; agree that call before you throw.
What happens after an overshoot?
WashersGame.com subtracts the scoring turn from the prior total. The Triangle Lawn Games exact-finish option subtracts only the amount above the target. FCRV has no point target to overshoot.
Who leads after a scoreless round?
FCRV returns the lead to the last side that scored. WashersGame.com also preserves that last-scoring lead after cancellation. Triangle Lawn Games names the previous round winner but does not settle the lead after a scoreless tie.
Related games
Sources
Rules used: Triangle Lawn Games single-cup play. Reviewed . How we check the rules.
Publication details and rule references
- The TLG Rulebook: Washer Toss
- Undated one-page manufacturer sheet. Retrieved .
- p. 1, opening and equipment footer; p. 1, opening and equipment footer, 20 × 5 ft footprint; p. 1, opening and play paragraphs; p. 1, opening, targets about 20 ft apart; p. 1, play paragraphs; p. 1, play paragraphs, switch sides; p. 1, scoring paragraph; p. 1, scoring paragraph, first to 21; p. 1, scoring paragraph, optional exact finish
- National Adult Washer Toss Rules
- Undated two-page National Adult rules. Retrieved .
- PLAY, item e, p. 2, standing on boards; Rule 2, p. 1; Rule 2, p. 1, board, holes and 10 ft connector; Rule 2, p. 1, board, holes and connector; Rule 2, p. 1, court and equipment; Rule 2, p. 1, washers; Rule 3.c, p. 1, ten rounds; Rule 5.g, p. 2; Rules 3.a–3.b, p. 1; Rules 3.a–3.b, p. 1, difference scoring; Rules 3.b and 4.a, p. 1, foot foul; Rules 3.b and 4.b, p. 1, bounce; Rules 3.d and 5.f, pp. 1–2; Rules 3.d, 5.b and 5.f, pp. 1–2
- Wooden Washers Playing Instructions & Rules, item 52200
- Undated two-sided sheet, item 52200. Retrieved .
- Scoring, p. 1, ground bounce
- WASHERS - A Great American Game
- Undated page; HTTP Last-Modified 2006-10-03. Retrieved .
- Rules page, opening and scoring paragraphs, 25 ft and cup value; Rules page, scoring paragraph, cup and closest-washer values
- WASHERS ~ Special Vocabulary
- Undated page; HTTP Last-Modified 2003-06-23. Retrieved .
- Glossary, Hanger
- 3 Hole Washers Game Rules
- Live page; no stated version. Retrieved .
- For a Two Player Game; For Team Play; Keeping Score; Keeping Score, matching-hole cancellation; Setting up your Washer Board Game; Setting up; Winning the Game; Winning the Game, 19 plus 5 example
- Washer pitching
- Live page; no stated version. Retrieved .
- Equipment, common box and cup construction