“Texas horseshoes” is a game that goes by many other names, such as “washers,” “washer pitching,” “washer tossing,” “redneck horseshoes,” “hillbilly horseshoes,” “hot tub party,” and “Irish quoits.” It is played with washers (instead of horseshoes) that are aimed at buried cups.
 
The game of “washer-pitching” has been cited in Texas since 1930. “Washers” had been played in Evansville, Indiana, by at least 1927.
 
 
Wikipedia: Washer pitching
Washer pitching is a physical game of skill that originated in the Southern United States. It is very similar to horseshoes. It is an especially popular pastime in the United States. Washers is often referred to as “Texas Horseshoes” in parts of the United States. It is also referred to as Hot Tub Party in other areas of the country.
   
Washer Pitching (aka Washers)
Washer Boards can vary in size but a standard size for one-hole Washers is 20in. X 20in.. The one-hole version the boards can also come in a pentagon or octagon shape. Three-hole Washers (Original Washers) is rectangular in shape. The boards are placed approximately 21 ft away from each other. Generally underhand tactics are used to throw the washers. The person throwing can stand on, next to, or behind, but not in front of the box. Scoring is like horse shoes where the second team to go can wash-out/rebut any points that the first team may have scored and then add to their total. Games are normally played to 21 points. In Saint Louis, MO, the boxes are placed 25 feet away from each other and games are normally played to 15 points. In the Original Washers three hole version, the Washer boards are placed 10 feet apart. In the Pennsylvania variant, there arw no boards, with the goal being to land the washers in or nearest to a short length of 2 PVC pipe embedded in the ground. Holes are 21 feet apart. One point is awarded for each washer nearer the whole than the opponent’s closest, 2 for “hangers” (washers protruding over the edge so that the bottom can be seen through the center), and 3 for “ringers.”
 
In the “real” version of Washer Pitching, 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 be comprised 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 3 points. A “cupper” gets you 5 points. There are no “leaners” or “ringers,” those are Horsehoe pitching terms. If your opponent lands on your cupper, they cancel out, and the other washers are scored normally. A 3-2-1 scoring can be used to make the game longer. Team washer pitching is mighty entertaining, and double-elimination tournaments are big fun.
 
The Original Washers Toss Game
What exactly is the game Washers?
If you like Bocce Ball, Lawn Darts, Bean-bag toss, Horseshoes, or just being outdoors, then you’ll absolutely love the Original Washers Toss Game Set! The game washers is sometimes called, “Texas Horseshoes” and it is becoming a huge hit across the country. It will not damage your yard! It can be played on grass, sand, carpet, wood, tarvia, inside or on cement. And the best part is, you can bring it anywhere. The preferred playing area is short to medium grass or sand.
 
The Three Hole version that Original Washers sells exclusively always brings out the best in competition and a unqiue challenge. You will meet so many new people with the curiosity that the Washers Game exciting attracts.
 
Original Washers is perfect for parties, graduations, tailgating, concerts, family events, gatherings, picnics, traveling, camping, RVing, company events, bars, barbeques, or just a fun day out in the sun. Each game set is handcrafted with care by professionals in the United States.
 
Official Washer Pitching Association Rules
Washers is an outdoor game of skill, played by four contestants. The game field consists of two washer pits, each containing one recessed cup of 4 inches in diameter (101.6 mm) positioned a specific distance apart, toward which players throw washers to score points. The official distance, from cup centers, is 21 feet. Shorter or greater distances are occasionally used but are not certified for official competition.  For a tournament to be official, 5 teams must be present.
 
Each player throws four washers toward the opposite cup. Subsequent throwing order is based on who scored last with the scorer throwing first. In games with a standard pit, players may stand anywhere inside the pit when throwing. In games without a framed pit area, players are allowed to stand no closer than one normal step in front of the cup. The starting contestant throws all four washers, one at a time, followed by the second player’s throws. Only one player may score per round.  A washer inside the cup scores 5 points, leaning over the side is 3 points, and closest to the cup is 1 point. Scoring is done after all contestants have thrown. Should player #2 hit player #1’s washer, for example, and nudge it closer to the cup than his own, player #1 thanks player #2 and benefits.
 
Should player #1 land a washer inside the cup and player #2 also land a washer inside the cup, player #2’s throw negates the cupper & no points are awarded for the cupper. In this example, points would then be awarded based on the remaining washers and their distance from the cup. (Distance from the cup is generally determined by visual observation but may require a measurement. In the rare event that the two closest washers are equidistant from the cup, no points are awarded) Should player #1 score two cuppers and player #2 cap only one of them, 5 points would be awarded to player #1.
 
A winning game is determined in several ways. Should one player or team reach 11 points before the opponent scores a single point, the game is called a skunk and the player or team with zero points is out of the competition. With two players or teams, and one reaching 11 points before the other scores, the game is finished. Should one player or team score 17 points while the opponent has scored only 1 point, the game is called a whitewash & the player or team with only 1 point is out of the competition. (A skunk & whitewash are not official tournament rules).
When one player or team reaches 21 or more points before the opponent reaches 20 points, the game has gone full-term and the team or player with 21 or more points is declared the winner.
 
The Ultimate Camp Resource
Washer Pitching
aka Texas, Polish, Hillbilly, or Redneck Horseshoes
Regardless of what you call it, this game is FUN! Not only can you play it at camp, but they are perfect to tuck into your van or bus take on away trips to keep your campers entertained! 
 
Third Peak
Texas Toss-Em Washer Toss (Texas Horseshoes) Outdoor Game
Description:
Texas Toss-Em (Texas Horseshoes) is an entertaining game of skill played by 2 or 4 players in a simalar way as the game of horseshoes. The game consists of 2 pits containing a tube. The object of the game is to score points by tossing the objects toward the pit. Points are awarded based on proximity to the tube and pit. The pits are placed 15 feet apart for the most skilled players and closer if the skill level warrants. 
 
The Quoit Pits
Washers is a game also referred to as Holeyboard, Ringers, Texas Horseshoes, or Irish Quoits.  I have no information on the origins of this game at all, but it seems to be popular in Midwestern and Northeastern states in the US.  There are numerous variations of this game; the version pictured at left is popular in Pennsylvania.  The photo shows two different sets of boards, with each pair connected together with a string or small chain to set the proper pitching distance. Only one pair of boards is actually needed to play the game.
 
Each box is made from 2x4 lumber for the sides and plywood for the top, and is 1 foot wide and 4 feet long.  On the top surface of the box, three 4” diameter holes are cut into the top, 12” center to center.  There is no bottom in the boxes.  A chain is attached between the boxes and is exactly 10 feet long. Each player is given three large, 3-inch diameter washers, with each set of 3 painted a distinguishing color to tell them apart.  Players take turns standing on the top of one of the boxes, at the front edge, and attempts to pitch the washers into one of the 3 holes in the other box.  Each hole scores a different value - 1 point for the nearest hole, 3 points for the center hole, and 5 points for the rear-most hole. 
 
Leap Year Birthday Party (Anthony, TX)
The weekend of March 1 and 2 will also be filled with fun events as part of the celebration. They will include Hot Air Balloon lift offs and rides, and a chuck wagon breakfast, followed by various events and activities at the park including games, a chile cook-off, and may a “juacha” tournament (similar to horseshoes), entertainment, and other competitions. 
   
22 November 1927, Appleton (WI) Post-Crescent, “Shields Suggests Indoor Games for Cold Winter Days,” pg. 13, col. 1:
Winter and the long days when Appleton youngsters will be forced to find some form of indoor amusement has prompted Joseph Shields, high school athletic director and director of playground work during the summer, to offer several games which can be used to keep children busy at home or while they are attending parties at homes of friends.
 
One game he has suggested is an outdoor contest called washers. It has found considerable favor in Evansville, Ind., where a city-wide tournament was held. Though primarily for outdoor use some manner of playing it indoors might easily be arranged.
 
A recreation magazine of recent date has the following to say about it:
 
“Eleven hundred boys and girls took part in the city-wide washer tournament held in Evansville, Indiana. Since the holding of the tournament washer courts are to be seen not only in Evansville but in the neighboring towns and in rural sections.
 
“In playing the game horseshoe rules are used. Washers one and three quarter inches in diameter are pitched fifteen feet to a hole two and one half inches in diameter. Tin cans of that dimension are often placed in the hole with the top level with the ground.
 
“The game has many advantages. Washers are cheap, and the court occupies little space. The game has proved very popular with boys and girls.”
 
28 June 1930, Dallas (TX) Morning News, part 1, pg. 7:
Tom Reagan was the star horseshoe pitcher, while the washer-pitching contest was won by Donald Terrell.
     
27 August 1931, Vidette-Messenger (Valparaiso, IN), pg. 4, col. 6:
During the afternoon the members and friends enjoyed numerous games consisting of indoor baseball, volley ball, horseshoe pitching and washer games.
   
6 March 1932, Galveston (TX) Daily News, pg. 2, col.6:
They are practicing washer tossing and boast that they cannot be defeated in this sport.
 
27 June 1943, Abilene (TX) Reporter-News, “Park Recreation Program Starts Here Monday,”  pg. 1, col. 4:
McKinzie, in announcing program plans Saturday, said special emphasis would be placed on intra-park tournaments during the week in such sports as horse-shoe and washer tossing, volleyball, croquet, tennis, ping pong and softball.
 
4 March 1955, Dallas (TX) Morning News, “It’s Washer-Pitching Season on SMU Campus,” part 3, pg. 13:
The old rural sport of pitching washers has taken over in parts of the Southern Methodist University campus this spring. Idea is to pitch washers at a tin can buried in the earth.
     
29 February 1976, Amarillo (TX) News-Globe, pg. 12, col. 3:
The Non-Bicentennial Commission, in turn, gave an award for an essay on what they consider to be a “truly American game,” washer tossing, which allegedly was started by American Indians.
 
24 August 1982, Richwood (OH) Gazette, pg. 6, col. 4:
The fourth annual Hoskins Road Picnic was held Sunday, Aug. 15, with 54 neighbor-residents enjoying an evening of volleyball, horseshoes, tennis, and Texas horseshoes at Richwood Park.
 
2 March 1998, Frederick (MD) News, pg. B1 photo caption:
Two members of the Senior High youth group at Graceham Moravian Church played Texas horseshoes well into their 30-hour fast which ended Saturday night.
 
11 August 2002, Plattsburgh (NY) Press Republican, “Washer-board research leads down strange paths” by Gordie Little:
You can call it “washer board,” “washer pitching,” “washer tossing” “Texas horseshoes” or whatever your heart desires. Boiled down to its bare essentials, the popular game involves throwing metal washers into holes and scoring points. Kaye and I discovered it at Cole’s Creek some years back. Our neighbors were rather good at it and I was rather pathetic. So what else is new?
   
Galveston County (TX) Daily News (August 29, 2003)
There will also be a talent show and Redneck Games (mutton bustin’, belly floppin’, wild hog catchin’, husband callin’ and Texas horseshoes, just to name a few events) on Sept. 13.
 
(Trademark)
Word Mark TEXAS HORSESHOES
Goods and Services (ABANDONED) IC 028. US 022 023 038 050. G & S: Indoor/Outdoor board game - uses 3” washers vs conventional horseshoes, uses a board with three 4” holes to toss the washers into is vs tossing a conventional horseshoe at a stake in a pit
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 78288384
Filing Date August 17, 2003
Current Filing Basis 1B
Original Filing Basis 1B
Owner (APPLICANT) HEINZ, MICHAEL, EDWARD INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES 5 S. 323 GLENOBAN DRIVE NAPERVILLE ILLINOIS 60563
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Abandonment Date September 3, 2004
 
(Trademark)
Word Mark FLYING WASHERS
Goods and Services (CANCELLED) IC 028. US 022. G & S: EQUIPMENT SOLD AS A UNIT FOR PLAYING A TOSS GAME. FIRST USE: 19730401. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19730401
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 73131332
Filing Date June 22, 1977
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Registration Number 1129007
Registration Date January 8, 1980
Owner (REGISTRANT) GRIMES, WALTER INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES GENERAL DELIVERY INA ILLINOIS 62846
Disclaimer NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE “WASHERS” APART FROM THE MARK AS SHOWN
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Cancellation Date June 20, 1986
 
(Trademark)
Word Mark LET’S PITCH WASHERS
Goods and Services (CANCELLED) IC 028. US 022. G & S: Equipment Sold as a Unit for Playing a Pitching Game which Involves Tossing a Ring onto a Target within a Box. FIRST USE: 19790900. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19790900
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 73269377
Filing Date July 8, 1980
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Published for Opposition April 12, 1983
Registration Number 1244661
Registration Date July 5, 1983
Owner (REGISTRANT) ENDE; FARRELL d.b.a. Alpine Landscaping Company INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES 9013 FAIRLANE DRIVE BRIDGEVIEW ILLINOIS 60455
Attorney of Record CHARLES A. LAFF
Disclaimer No claim is made to the exclusive right to use the word “Washers”, apart from the mark as shown.
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Affidavit Text SECT 15. SECT 8 (6-YR).
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Cancellation Date April 10, 2004
   
(Trademark)
Word Mark KENTUCKY WASHERS
Goods and Services (CANCELLED) IC 028. US 022. G & S: BOARD AND STEEL WASHERS SOLD AS A UNIT FOR PLAYING A TOSS-TYPE GAME. FIRST USE: 19850304. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19850304
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 73527171
Filing Date March 18, 1985
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Supplemental Register Date June 19, 1986
Registration Number 1411866
Registration Date September 30, 1986
Owner (REGISTRANT) HEADKREST, INC. CORPORATION KENTUCKY RT. 1, BOX 104A, INDIAN VALLEY RD. FALLS OF ROUGH KENTUCKY 40119
Attorney of Record MAURICE L. MILLER, JR.
Disclaimer NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE “WASHERS” APART FROM THE MARK AS SHOWN
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register SUPPLEMENTAL
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Cancellation Date April 5, 1993
 
(Trademark)
Word Mark WASHERS
Goods and Services IC 028. US 022. G & S: PITCHING OR TOSSING GAME. FIRST USE: 19870425. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19870425
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 73763955
Filing Date November 16, 1988
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Supplemental Register Date June 6, 1989
Registration Number 1556339
Registration Date September 12, 1989
Owner (REGISTRANT) RAND COMPANY, THE CORPORATION MISSOURI 1405 NASHUA DR. FLORISSANT MISSOURI 63033
Attorney of Record JOHN F. NEWSHAM
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register SUPPLEMENTAL
Affidavit Text SECT 8 (6-YR).
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE
 
(Trademark)
Word Mark WASHR’ TOSSR’
Goods and Services (CANCELLED) IC 028. US 022. G & S: indoor/outdoor tossing game using washers as scoring implements. FIRST USE: 19940621. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19940621
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 74354249
Filing Date February 1, 1993
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1B
Published for Opposition November 23, 1993
Registration Number 1868923
Registration Date December 20, 1994
Owner (REGISTRANT) Verronneau, Margaret E. DBA Stew Productions INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES P.O. Box 5809 New Bedford MASSACHUSETTS 02742
(REGISTRANT) Sbordone, Thomas D., Jr. DBA Stew Productions INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES P.O. Box 5809 New Bedford MASSACHUSETTS 02742
(REGISTRANT) O’Neil, Mark A. DBA Stew Productions INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES P.O. Box 5809 New Bedford MASSACHUSETTS 02742
(REGISTRANT) Verronneau, Mark R. DBA Stew Productions INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES P.O. Box 5809 New Bedford MASSACHUSETTS 02742
Attorney of Record Robert F. O’Connell
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Cancellation Date December 29, 2001
 
(Trademark)
Word Mark ACE SPORTS WASHERS
Goods and Services (CANCELLED) IC 028. US 022. G & S: game of pitching washers. FIRST USE: 19930101. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19930101
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 74268227
Filing Date April 15, 1992
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1B
Published for Opposition November 10, 1992
Registration Number 1828948
Registration Date March 29, 1994
Owner (REGISTRANT) ACE SPORTS & PRODUCTS CO. CORPORATION TEXAS 4 Louisiana Park Conroe TEXAS 77302
Attorney of Record James H. Riley II
Disclaimer NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE “WASHERS” APART FROM THE MARK AS SHOWN
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Cancellation Date April 28, 2001
   
(Trademark)
Word Mark OL’ TIME WASHERS
Goods and Services (CANCELLED) IC 028. US 022. G & S: equipment sold as a unit for playing a toss type game. FIRST USE: 19930701. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19930731
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 74416508
Filing Date July 26, 1993
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1B
Published for Opposition January 18, 1994
Registration Number 1874763
Registration Date January 17, 1995
Owner (REGISTRANT) Earnst, William H. DBA Heritage Sports INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES P.O. Box 90847 Houston TEXAS 77290
Attorney of Record John S. Egbert
Disclaimer NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE “WASHERS” APART FROM THE MARK AS SHOWN
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Cancellation Date January 26, 2002
 
(Trademark)
Word Mark ARMADILLO WASHERS
Goods and Services (CANCELLED) IC 028. US 022 023 038 050. G & S: outdoor pitching game consisting of washers and pipes. FIRST USE: 19950702. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19950702
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 74664089
Filing Date April 21, 1995
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1B
Published for Opposition December 5, 1995
Registration Number 2027800
Registration Date December 31, 1996
Owner (REGISTRANT) Dillo, Inc. CORPORATION TEXAS 2512 KNOPP SCHOOL RD FREDERICKSBURG TEXAS 78624
Disclaimer NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE “WASHER” APART FROM THE MARK AS SHOWN
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Affidavit Text SECT 8 (6-YR).
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Cancellation Date October 6, 2007
 
(Trademark)
Word Mark PITCHIN’ WASHERS
Goods and Services (ABANDONED) IC 028. US 022 023 038 050. G & S: equipment sold as a unit for playing a ring tossing game
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 75277480
Filing Date April 18, 1997
Current Filing Basis 1B
Original Filing Basis 1B
Owner (APPLICANT) Outdoor Game Company, The CORPORATION MISSOURI 11570 Rock Island Court St. Louis MISSOURI 630433522
Attorney of Record EDWARD A BOESCHENSTEIN
Disclaimer NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE “WASHERS” APART FROM THE MARK AS SHOWN
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Abandonment Date November 2, 1998