How to Play Washers

Co-authored by Hunter Rising

Last Updated: April 29, 2019

Washers, also known as washer toss, is a fun yard game similar to horseshoes where 2 or 4 players compete to throw washers into a box. If the washer lands in the cup or hole in the middle of the box, they get more points. Washers is an easy game to learn in an afternoon and doesn’t require too much space. Once you know how to play, you’ll want to play for the rest of the day!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Setting up the Game

1
Place the boxes 25 ft (7.6 m) apart on a grassy surface. Choose a grassy area that isn’t in the way of anyone else and is suitable for playing on. Set 1 of the boxes on the ground, and measure 25 ft (7.6 m) from the center of the cup inside the box. Set the other box down so the centers of the cups are 25 ft (7.6 m) apart and they face one another.^{[1]
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- If you’re playing washers with children, move the boxes closer to one another so the kids don’t have to throw the washers as far.
- If you’re playing with a box that has 3 holes, measure from the centers of the middle holes.
- Avoid playing on a hard surface since the washers may bounce when they land.
2
Divide the players into 2 teams. If you’re playing with 2 people, each person plays as an individual. If you have 4 players, split the group up into 2 teams consisting of 2 players each. You and your teammate will alternate rounds when you throw washers. Take 1 set of colored washers for you and your teammate.^{[2]
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- Depending on how you play, you may receive between 2-4 washers per team.
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3
Toss a washer as close to the cup as you can to determine the starting player. Take one of your team’s washers and stand behind one of the boxes. Toss the washer towards the opposite box so it lands close to the cup. Have each player toss a washer at the box before checking whose is the closest. ^{[3]
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- The person whose washer is the closest to the cup gets to go first.
- This initial throw is also known as a “diddle.”
Tip: If multiple washers land inside the cup, have the players whose washers made it in throw again.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Throwing the Washers

1
Stand on one side of the box. Pick either the left or right side of the box and stand there. Have your opponent stand on the other side of the box. During your turn, don’t step past the front edge of the box or else that throw won’t count for the round.^{[4]
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- If you’re playing a 4-player game, the other member of your team will stand behind the box on the opposite side.
2
Hold the washer between your index finger and your thumb. Hold your washer in your hand so it’s parallel to the ground. Wrap your index finger around the front edge of your washer and support the back side with your thumb. Curl your other fingers so the washer rests on top of them while you hold it.^{[5]
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- Try angling the washer away from you when you throw it if you want it to bounce less when it lands.
3
Aim toward the cup on the other side of the field as you wind up. Hold your arm straight out in front of you so you’re pointing at the box across the field. Once you’re aimed and ready to throw, keep your arm straight and bring it behind you to wind up.^{[6]
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4
Throw the washer at hip level as you step forward. Swing your arm forward until the washer is in front of you at hip level. Let go of the washer so it flies parallel to the ground. Watch where your washer lands to see if it scores and so you know where to pick it up when the round is finished.^{[7]
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- If your washer spins in the air, it may bounce and land in a place different from where you intended it to go.
- You do not need to take a step when you throw if you don’t feel comfortable doing it.
5
Continue throwing the rest of your washers. Readjust your aim and power to get as close to the cup as you can. One at a time, throw your washers until you don’t have any left. Some games are only played with 2 washers per player, but others may play with 3 or 4. When you’re finished, your opponent will throw all of their washers if they haven’t gone before you.^{[8]
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Tip: Depending on house rules, you may alternate turns with your opponent instead of throwing all of your washers.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Scoring the Game

1
Check how many washers landed inside the cup and box. Walk over to the box you were throwing at and locate the washers. Don’t move any of them until you’ve completely tallied all the points. Every washer that lands inside of the cup counts as 3 points while every washer inside the box counts as 1 point.^{[9]
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- If you’re playing a game of washers with a box that has 3 holes, the hole closest to the front is worth 1 point, the middle hole is worth 3 points, and the back hole counts as 5 points.
- If a washer is outside of the box, then it doesn’t score any points.
- If you’re playing a game that doesn’t have a framed box, then a washer that’s closest to the cup without being inside of it scores 1 point.
- When a washer is flat along the top edges of the box, then it counts as an automatic win. Check with the group you’re playing with to see what rules they use.^{[10]
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2
Cancel points if you and your opponent’s washers landed in the same place. Compare how many of your washers are in the cup compared to your opponent. Every time you and your opponent score in the same area, the points will cancel each other out so no points are awarded. If you have a majority of washers in the area, then you will earn points.^{[11]
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- For example, if you have 2 washers in the cup and 1 outside of the box, and your opponent has 1 washer in the cup and 2 outside of the box, 1 of your washers will cancel out your opponent's washer. You would receive 3 points for your 1 remaining washer in the cup.
3
Give 1 player the points for the round if there are any. Only 1 player can score during each round of the game. Once you finished canceling out washers, calculate how many points each player would have. Whoever has the most points adds them to their score and starts the next round.^{[12]
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- If you throw a washer in the cup and your opponent only scores a washer in the box, then you would receive the points for the round.
- If there is ever a tie, the round is considered a wash and no points are scored.
4
Continue the game until a player reaches 21 points. Start the next round from the box you just threw to so the player that scored points in the last round goes first. Play the rounds as usual, going back and forth between the boxes. When a player or team gets 21 points, they are the winner!^{[13]
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- If you’re playing with a teammate, you don’t need to switch sides after each round.
- A player or team needs to win by at least 2 points. If you get 21 but your opponent has 20, then you need to play until you reach 22 points.
Other Winning Conditions

If you score 11 points before an opponent scores any points, it’s considered a “skunk” and you win.

If you score 17 points and your opponent has only scored 1 point, then the game is a “whitewash” and you win.