How to Play Mini Horseshoes
The Rules
- Place the stake boxes at an agreed distance that fits your playing area and the skill level of the players.
- Players (typically 2) agree on a final score to play to. The first player to reach that score wins.
- Some players choose to count only ringers, with an agreed ringer total determining the winner.
- Flip a coin to decide who throws first.
Game Flow
- Players toss their mini horseshoes toward the stake in the opposite stake box.
- If playing doubles, teammates stand at opposite stakes.
- The game is played in innings. In each inning, every player pitches two consecutive horseshoes.
- The pitching area is to the right or left of the front edge of the stake box.
- Players must throw from behind the front edge of the stake box.
- The first player throws their two horseshoes one after the other.
- The second player then throws their two horseshoes.
- Players should throw both shoes within a few seconds of stepping into the pitching area.
- After both players have pitched their shoes, score the inning.
Scoring
- Record 3 points for a horseshoe that lands fully around the stake (a ringer).
- Record 1 point for any non-ringer horseshoe that is touching or leaning against the stake.
- If your opponent throws a ringer on top of yours, the ringer points are canceled.
- If your opponent throws a single ringer and you throw two ringers, you score 3 points (for the extra ringer).
- Leaners do not cancel each other out.
Winning the Game
- Play consecutive innings until one player reaches the pre-established total score.
- If there is a tie when the target score is reached:
- Each player may take a half win, or
- Players may agree to throw a two-inning tiebreaker to determine the winner.
