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how to play

Ring Toss Rules: Scoring, Distance & Setup

Ring toss is the easygoing lawn game that hides a surprising amount of finesse. Toss a ring, land it on a peg, score the points. Easy enough for a four-year-old, addictive enough to keep adults chucking rings until the burgers are done. There are two flavors: the classic peg-and-base set, and the hook-and-ring swing game you mount on a wall or post. I will cover both, plus scoring, distance, and string length for the hook version.

2 or more (singles or teams) PLAYERS AGES 4+ Under 2 min SETUP A small flat area; about 10 to 15 ft of clear toss room
Gear check

What you need

  • A ring toss set: a peg base (often 1 center peg plus surrounding pegs) and a set of rings, usually 5 or 6
  • Rings made of rope, rubber, plastic, or wood, typically 5 to 7 inches across
  • A flat patch of grass, deck, or patio
  • For hook-and-ring: a wall hook, a ring on a string, and an eye hook to anchor the string above and to the side
The playbook

How to play ring toss

  1. Set up the targetPlace the peg base on flat ground. A common layout has a tall center peg with shorter pegs around it, each worth a different number of points. For hook-and-ring, mount the hook on a wall or post and anchor the ring's string so the ring can swing and catch the hook.
  2. Mark your toss lineStep back and set a toss line a few feet from the target. A casual distance is around 5 to 10 feet for peg ring toss; shorten it for little kids and stretch it to 10 to 15 feet for competitive adults.
  3. Take turns tossingPlayers or teams alternate turns. On your turn you toss your rings (commonly 3 to 6 per turn) underhand toward the pegs, trying to land a 'ringer' that settles around a peg. For hook-and-ring, swing the ring on its string so it loops onto the hook.
  4. Tally the roundAfter all rings are tossed, add up the points for rings that landed on pegs (or caught the hook). Rings that miss or bounce off score nothing. Clear the rings and pass to the next player.
  5. Play to the target scoreKeep playing rounds until someone reaches the agreed target score. Twenty-one is the classic finish line, though 50 or 100 work for longer games.
Keeping score

Scoring

  • Simplest method: 1 point for every ring that lands and stays on a peg (a 'ringer'). First to 21 wins.
  • Peg-value method: assign different points to each peg, for example center peg worth 5, back peg 3, side pegs 2 each, and front peg 1.
  • Hook-and-ring: 1 point each time you swing the ring onto the hook. Play to a set number like 21 or to a time limit.
  • Cancellation (optional): if both players ring the same peg in a round, those rings cancel out, so only the difference counts.
Set it up right

Distance & setup

set it up rightThere is no single official distance for backyard ring toss. A good casual toss line is about 5 to 10 feet from the pegs, moved closer for young kids and back to 10 to 15 feet for competitive adults. For hook-and-ring, the toss line is shorter, usually around 6 to 8 feet, because you are swinging the ring rather than throwing it.
House rules

Fun variations

  • Hook-and-ring (bimini ring): a ring on a string that you swing onto a wall- or post-mounted hook. Set the string so the ring just reaches the hook at the end of a smooth swing, then fine-tune.
  • Bottle ring toss: replace pegs with bottles of different point values, a county-fair classic.
  • Team play: two teams alternate rounds and combine each member's points.
  • Around-the-world: each peg must be ringed in order before any of your tosses count toward the win.
The rulebook desk

Ring Toss rules FAQ

How far should you stand for ring toss?

There is no fixed regulation distance for backyard ring toss. A common casual toss line is about 5 to 10 feet from the pegs. Move closer for young children and back to 10 to 15 feet for competitive adults.

How do you score ring toss?

The simplest way is 1 point for each ring that lands and stays on a peg, playing to 21. Many sets instead assign different point values to each peg, so the center or back peg is worth more. Rings that miss score nothing.

What string length should you use for hook and ring?

Set the string so the ring just reaches the hook at the top of a smooth swing. Mount the anchor point above and to one side of the hook, hang the ring, and adjust until it lines up with the hook when swung.

How many rings are in a ring toss set?

Most ring toss sets come with 5 or 6 rings, often split between two colors for two players or teams. The rings are usually 5 to 7 inches across and made of rope, rubber, plastic, or wood.

What is the difference between ring toss and hook and ring?

In classic ring toss you throw rings at a set of pegs and try to land them. In hook-and-ring, a single ring hangs from a string and you swing it sideways to catch it on a wall- or post-mounted hook.

What score do you play ring toss to?

Twenty-one is the most common target score for backyard ring toss. For longer games, groups often play to 50 or 100. Agree on the finish line before you start.

grab a set

Ready to play?

Grab a set and start your league this weekend. We ranked the best ring toss sets for every budget.

See our top ring toss picks → Printable rules card