how to play

How to Play Quoits: Ringers, the Hob & Scoring Rules

Quoits is the old pub-and-garden game where you pitch flat rings at a pin (the hob) and try to ring it clean, the same way horseshoes wraps a stake. It has been played in British and American backyards for well over a century, and it rewards a smooth, repeatable toss over brute strength. Sets range from soft rope rings you can play indoors to heavy steel quoits thrown at a clay bed. Here is how to set it up, pitch it, and score a ringer like a commissioner.

2 or 4 (1v1 or 2v2) PLAYERS AGES 8+ 2 to 10 min SETUP About 20 to 60 ft long by 6 ft wide
Gear check

What you need

  • A set of quoits (4 rings total, 2 per player or team, often two colors)
  • 1 or 2 hobs (the target pins or stakes)
  • A flat lawn, or a clay or sand bed around each hob for heavier steel sets
  • A flat stretch of yard the right length for your set type
  • Optional: a tape measure to set the distance
The playbook

How to play quoits: ringers, the hob & scoring

  1. Set up the hobsStand the hob (the target pin) upright. For a two-hob game, set a second hob at the pitching distance so players throw back and forth between them. Heavier steel quoits land in a clay or sand bed around each hob; rope and rubber sets play straight on the lawn.
  2. Decide who pitches firstFlip a coin or play a quick toss-off. The winner pitches first in the opening end, and after that whoever scored last pitches first.
  3. Pitch both quoitsStanding at one hob, the first player pitches both of their rings one at a time at the far hob, trying to ring it or land as close as possible. Then the opponent pitches their two rings at the same hob.
  4. Score the endWalk down and see whose rings landed closest. Count up the points, using cancellation so only the leading side banks the difference, then clear the rings. That completes one end.
  5. Pitch back the other wayNow both players pitch from the far hob back toward the first one. Keep alternating ends, pitching back and forth, end after end.
  6. Play to the finishKeep pitching and stacking points until a side reaches the winning total. Most backyard games play to 21, and many clubs play to 21 as well. Agree on the number before the first pitch.
Keeping score

Scoring

  • Ringer (the quoit rings the hob clean): 2 points in most common rule sets.
  • Closest quoit to the hob that is not a ringer: 1 point.
  • Only the side with the closest ring scores in an end, and cancellation applies, so matching ringers from each side cancel out.
  • A leaner or a quoit resting against the hob counts as the nearest ring (1 point), not as a ringer.
  • First side to reach the agreed total (commonly 21) wins. Some clubs play exactly 21 with a bust if you go over, so agree beforehand.
Set it up right

Distance & setup

set it up rightPitching distance depends on your set. Traditional steel quoits are pitched at about 18 to 21 feet between hobs (English long-game quoits use 18 yards, but that is a serious club distance most backyards skip). Rope and rubber-ring garden sets are usually played at roughly 8 to 15 feet, which you can shorten for kids. The hob stands a few inches proud of the ground (or its clay bed). Always set both hobs the same distance apart.
House rules

Fun variations

  • Rope or rubber quoits: soft rings pitched on the bare lawn (or even indoors), great for families and kids, played at a shorter distance.
  • Steel quoits on clay: heavy metal rings thrown at a clay or sand bed, the traditional and most demanding form.
  • Slate-board quoits: an indoor or pub format using a numbered slate board instead of an open pitch.
  • Short-court for kids: bring the hobs in to 8 to 10 feet so younger players can reach and still ring the hob.
The rulebook desk

Quoits: Ringers, the Hob & Scoring rules FAQ

What is the difference between quoits and horseshoes?

Quoits uses flat closed rings pitched at a pin called the hob, while horseshoes uses open U-shaped shoes pitched at a stake. The games play almost identically, you are trying to ring the target, but quoits rings are fully closed and come in soft rope, rubber, or heavy steel versions.

How do you score in quoits?

A ringer that lands cleanly around the hob is worth 2 points in most rule sets, and the closest ring that is not a ringer is worth 1 point. Only the leading side scores each end, and matching ringers cancel out under cancellation scoring.

How far apart do you stand in quoits?

It depends on the set. Steel quoits are commonly pitched about 18 to 21 feet apart, while soft rope or rubber garden sets are usually played at around 8 to 15 feet. Move the hobs closer for kids.

What is a ringer in quoits?

A ringer is a quoit that lands so it fully encircles the hob, the ring of metal or rope drops clean around the pin. It is the best result you can throw and is worth 2 points in the common rules.

Is a leaner worth extra in quoits?

No. A quoit leaning against the hob without ringing it counts as the nearest ring, worth 1 point, the same as any closest non-ringer. Only a clean ringer earns the higher 2-point score.

Can you play quoits without a clay bed?

Yes. Heavy steel quoits traditionally land in a clay or sand bed, but rope and rubber quoits sets are designed to be pitched straight onto the grass, or even indoors, with no special pit at all.

grab a set

Ready to play?

Grab a set and start your league this weekend. We ranked the best quoits: ringers, the hob & scoring sets for every budget.

See our top quoits: ringers, the hob & scoring picks → Printable rules card