bch@mcnc.UUCP (Byron Howes) (09/04/85)
Some friends and I have been playing a game we call "washers" for years
and were wondering about its origins. The game is best described as a
kind of inverted horseshoes. Two short lengths of 3 1/2" pipe are put
into the ground with their top edge flush with the surface to form
holes. These holes are 20' feet apart, each surrounded by a sand or
loose dirt playing surface about 4' x 4' (max.) The hole and playing
surface are together called a "pit."
Each player is give 5 washers, 3 1/4" in diameter. Players take turns
attempting to throw "holers" (getting a washer in the pit) from behind
a line at the forward edge of the opposite hole (both players throw
from the same position, not at each other.)
The game is scored like Bacci. Only washers closer to the hole than
any opponents washer can score. "Holers" score 5 (but can be cancelled
by opposition holers) and normal throws score 1. The game is over at
11, 15 or 21 depending on the number of people wanting to play.
This game is *fun* and is also practical for parties in that players
do not have to worry about killing each other.
If anyone has played or heard of this game, please let me know.
--
Byron C. Howes
...!{decvax,akgua}!mcnc!ecsvax!bchoyster@uwmacc.UUCP (Vicious Oyster) (09/05/85)
In article <776@mcnc.mcnc.UUCP> you write: >Some friends and I have been playing a game we call "washers" for years >and were wondering about its origins.... Ah, yes, another trip down memory lane; when are we going to get a net.nostalgia (just joking, Lauren, Spaf...)? I was raised in the depressing city of Kenosha, WI, where there were at least three bars at every corner, etc. One of the good things about Kenosha (for kids) was that the city sponsored summer activities, lead by college students working on there sociology or social work degrees. Washers was one of the games we played, along with the favorites like tether ball, four-square, and break-into-the-junior-high (the last one not officially sponsored). The only thing I would add to your description of the game is that the washers were quite large, being about 3 inches in diameter. Unfortunately, I can't help you with its origins.