Game play begins with one member of a team standing on his own platform (Platform A) and throwing two horseshoes, one at a time, at the post for the opposite platform. A contestant from the opposite team then stands on his own platform (Platform B) and throws two horseshoes at the Platform A post. In the next inning, the other team members take their turn to throw in the same fashion. Play continues until a specific even number of shoes have been thrown or until a specific point value is reached.

Any horseshoe that is touching the post is called a ringer and typically receives 3 points. Throws that land within 6 inches of the post are Shoes in Count and get 1 point. Shoes further than 6 inches from the post are Shoes Out of Count and receive no points.

Shoes aren’t to be moved until points have been scored. One player or a judge should verbally call out the score before players move their shoes to continue to the next inning. A judge may void points if shoes are moved (unless the throw was an obvious ringer), or if a player throws the wrong shoe and the problem is detected before the end of the inning.

Players should throw the entire game with the same arm, unless a medical emergency occurs. With the exception of time for repair to the shoe, players need to throw within 30 seconds in order to keep game play moving.

Generally a game of horseshoes goes to 40 points. However, teams also can play based on the number of throws. In the event of a tie, teams must play a two inning tiebreaker. Horseshoes is a popular sport that has been around for hundreds of years. The National Horseshoe Pitchers Association.