Washers
Overview
Washers is cornhole’s metal cousin — and there are two lot versions worth knowing. Same family. Different boards. Pick one, say the rules once, and play.
Why it’s a good choice
Same cancel-scoring rivalry as bags, with a clang when you miss. Classic boxes fit a short parking-lane toss; pub washers shrink to table height when the stall is packed. Builds once (or buys once) and pitches all season. Good for crews who want skill without another set of boards in the truck.
Where best to play
Box toss: ~20–25 feet front edge to front edge (shorten for kids / tight lots). Pub washers: foul line ~6–10 feet on a table, truck bed, or steady pad. Assign a games footprint so the lane doesn’t cross the grill or the walk to the bathroom. Tight-spot family with cornhole and bocce.
Rules — Variant 1: Washer toss (boxes)
Two boxes, a center cup, four washers per side each round.
- 3 points — washer in the cup. 1 point — in the box, not the cup. Outside = 0.
- Cancel scoring: opposing points in the same round wipe; only the net banks.
- Play to 21 (or 15 for a short slate). Win-by-2 common — say it before round one.
- Partners at opposite boxes in team play.
Build one square box (optional)
Per box: 4 pieces of 2×4 @ 14½″, ¾″ plywood @ 16×16″, PVC 4″ × ~3¾″ for the cup, screws, optional carpet face. Screw the frame, attach the floor, mount the cup center, carpet over with the cup through the hole.
Rules — Variant 2: Pub washers (three-hole board)
One raised three-hole board. Smaller surface, shorter throw, more finesse.
- Each player throws 3 washers per round. Only holes score.
- 1 / 3 / 5 — nearest, middle, farthest. Same hole cancel one-for-one.
- First to exactly 21 after a completed round. Agree the bust rule before you start.
- Kids behind the foul line — metal washers + ankles don’t mix.
Gear / setup notes
Grass and puddles eat washers — a magnet stick helps. Homegate: driveway or garage table, same distances. More options: tight-spot toss · cornhole.
Build once, pitch all season, keep the rivalry friendly.
More in Gear · Tailgate Finds · Rituals