Washer Toss Game Rules and How to Build a Set

Washer toss, also called washers or washer pitching, is a backyard game where players toss metal washers into a box with a hole in the center. It is easy to learn, cheap to build, and works well at barbecues and tailgates. Local rules differ, so treat the numbers below as common defaults and agree on them before you start.

What you need

• Two boxes, each with a cup or hole in the center
• Washers, usually three or four per player or team, in two different colors
• A flat patch of grass, sand, or patio
• A tape measure

Many sets use washers around 2 to 3 inches wide, though sizes vary and any heavy flat washer that fits your hole will do. Check that the hole in your box is large enough for the washer to drop in with some clearance.

Setup

Place the two boxes facing each other. Sources vary, with many suggesting roughly 20 to 25 feet between them, and you can shorten the distance for kids or beginners. The game works with two players or two teams of two. In team play, partners stand at opposite boxes.

How to play

1. Decide who goes first with a coin flip, or by tossing one washer each toward the far box and seeing whose lands closest, which is sometimes called a “diddle.”
2. Players take turns tossing underhand from beside their box, without stepping past its front edge.
3. In singles, both players throw all their washers from one end, then walk to the other and throw back. In doubles, partners stay at their own end.
4. After all washers are thrown, count the points for the round, then repeat from the other end.

Scoring

A common scoring scheme works like this:

• A washer in the hole scores 3 points (some groups use 5).
• A washer that lands in the box but not in the hole scores 1 point (some groups use 2).
• Points cancel out each round, so if Team A scores 3 and Team B scores 1, Team A takes the 2-point difference.
• The first player or team to reach 21 wins. Some groups require reaching exactly 21 or winning by 2.

Agree on which version you use before play.

Variations

• Play to a different target such as 11 for a quick game.
• Add a bonus for a washer that goes in the hole on the first toss.
• Shorten the distance for younger players.
• Let beginners toss from closer than experienced players.

How to build a washer toss set

A basic set takes an afternoon.

Materials: exterior-grade plywood and lumber, screws, a drill, a saw, a tape measure, and washers (bought or collected). A short piece of PVC pipe or a cup for the hole is optional.

Steps:

1. Cut a square base from plywood. Sizes vary, and about a foot to a foot and a half per side is a common choice.
2. Cut a hole in the center of the base, sized to the washer plus a little room. If you want a cup, attach a short piece of pipe or a cup under it.
3. Attach side walls of lumber around the base so washers stay in the box. Walls about 2 to 4 inches high work for many people.
4. Sand rough edges, since people will handle it with bare hands.
5. Paint or seal the wood if it will sit outside, and write the scoring on the back as a reminder.
6. Make a second box, and mark colors on washers with paint.

Safety note: wear eye protection when cutting and drilling, and check that no screw tips protrude where hands could touch them.

Where did it come from?

There is no widely agreed single origin story. It is a lawn game in the same spirit as horseshoes, and it is often tied to informal play with whatever hardware was around. We would rather not state a specific date or place.

FAQ

How is washers played? Players take turns tossing washers into a box with a center hole. Points cancel each round, and play continues to 21.

What size washer for washer toss? Many sets use washers roughly 2 to 3 inches wide.

How far apart are the boxes? Commonly around 20 to 25 feet, depending on the rule set.

If you like backyard games, see beer ball for a table game, or happy hour games for more ideas. For outdoor gatherings, see family reunion games and picnic games.