<P> One player pitches both shoes in succession to one pit, followed by the other player . This is formally called an inning . Normally only one pitcher can score points per inning, however some leagues and tournaments play "count all", in which all points in each inning are counted . A live shoe that is not a ringer, but comes to rest six inches (6") or closer to the stake, has a value of one (1) point (alternate scoring methods give 2 points if the horseshoe leans on the stake . Aka a "leaner"). If both of one player's horseshoes are closer than the opponent's, two points are scored . A ringer scores three points . In the case of one ringer and a closer horseshoe, both horseshoes are scored for a total of four points . If a player throws two ringers, that player scores six points . If each player throws a ringer, the ringers cancel and no points are scored . If two ringers are thrown by one player and one ringer by the opponent, the player throwing two ringers scores three points . This is typically called "two dead and three" or "three ringers three" for score keeping purposes . Such occurrences are called "dead ringers" and are still used toward the pitcher / ringer average . Back - yard games can be played to any number of points that is agreed upon, but are usually to 21 points, win by 2 . In most sanctioned tournaments the handicapped divisions pitch 50 shoe games, most points win . If there is a tie, the pitchers pitch an additional 2 innings (alternating pitch) until the tie is broken . Championship divisions, or non-handicapped divisions are pitched to 40 points, regardless of the number of shoes pitched . In Philadelphia when a player tops another players ringer the player is awarded 6 points . </P> <P> Single points in amateur games must measure 6 inches or less from any part of the shoe to the nearest part of the stake . Also, a game cannot be won when an opposing player, tossing a shoe, bumps an opponent's shoe to cause the opponent to reach the winning score be it eleven or twenty - one . The game - winning point must be attained by the person tossing the horseshoe pertaining to his own score . Examples: If a player has 10 points and an opponent has 8 points, and the player with 10 points tosses a horseshoe and bumps his opponent's horseshoe for a ringer, the opponent scores 3 points for a total of 11 points, but does not win the game because of the 2 point rule . If a player has 9 points and an opponent 8 points and the player with 9 points tosses a horseshoe and bumps his opponent's horseshoe for a ringer, the opponent cannot score 3 points, because the winning point must be attained by his own toss . However, the opponent can take two points, bringing his total point score to 10 . </P> <P> This scoring system gives rise to the popular expression "Close only counts in horseshoes", or alternatively "Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades". </P> <P> The games of horseshoes and quoits are closely related . For information on the history of these games, see the entry on quoits . </P>

What are the rules and regulations for horseshoes