How to Play Quoits | Rules, Distances & Scoring | Jaques Lon

The clay bed sits flat on a summer lawn, two metal hobs facing one another across a measured stretch of grass. Someone weighs a ring in their palm, squints, and lets it fly. There is a soft thud, a groan, a cheer. This is quoits, a game that has entertained players in England since the 14th century, according to the Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Few pastimes carry that much history and still feel so at home on a modern lawn. The rules are simple enough for a child to grasp in a minute, yet the pleasure of a well-thrown ring never quite wears off. It is one of the most rewarding forms of our outdoor games for a mixed group.

A good set matters. The quoits sets in our quoits collection are made from responsibly sourced FSC timber and tested to UKCA and CE safety standards, so a rope ring landing near small hands is something you need not worry about. Jaques of London, established in 1795, has supplied traditional British garden games of this kind for well over two centuries.

What You Need to Play Quoits: Equipment and Setup

You need very little to start. A quoits set consists of the quoits themselves — rings of rope or metal — and one or two hobs, the pins at which they are aimed. Traditional rope sets are the friendliest choice for the garden, and you will find them among our quoits.

For the classic two-hob game you set a pin at each end of the playing area. Rope quoits sit happily on a lawn and need no special surface, which is why they suit family play. Metal quoits, by contrast, belong to the Northern Game, where they are thrown at a hob set into a bed of clay.

In that codified British version the hob is traditionally set so its top is level with the surface of the clay bed, as recorded by the National Quoits Association. This makes the ringer far harder to achieve and gives the tournament game its bite.

For most gardens, a level patch of grass and two firm pins are enough. Push each hob securely into the ground so it stands upright under repeated knocks. A soft lawn also cushions the landing rings and keeps play safe.

You can add markers or a scorepad, though many players keep score in their heads. If you are new to the whole family, our guide on how to play garden quoits rules setup and family tips walks through setup in more detail. From there it is simply a matter of picking up a ring and taking aim.

Official Quoits Rules: How to Play Step by Step

Play begins with players deciding who throws first, usually by a toss or a warm-up round. Each player or team is given the same number of quoits per turn — commonly two per end.

Stand at one hob and aim for the other. Throw your quoits one at a time, trying to land them over or as close to the far hob as possible. The goal is the ringer, a quoit that encircles the hob completely.

Once both players have thrown all their quoits from one end, walk down to the hob to inspect and score the round. Then throw back the other way for the next end. This back-and-forth continues until a player or team reaches the agreed winning total.

In the two-hob game the rhythm is steady and social, which is part of its charm. In the Northern Game, players throw from one hob toward the opposite one across the codified distance, with strict rules on stance and delivery.

For a house version with more targets, the nine-pin format adds variety and a little chaos. Our guide to nine pin quoits rules how to score and why its the best garden game for families explains that spin on the game.

Keep turns fair and consistent. Agree in advance how many quoits each player throws and where the throwing line sits. Once everyone understands the sequence, the game runs itself. Quoits sits comfortably alongside the rest of our outdoor games for an afternoon of relaxed competition.

Quoits Scoring Explained: How to Keep Score and Win

Scoring in quoits rewards precision. A ringer — a quoit that lands cleanly over the hob — is worth the most points, usually two. A quoit that leans against the hob or lands closest to it typically scores one.

The most common approach counts only the quoits nearest the hob. If your closest quoit beats your opponent's closest, you score; a second quoit closer than any of theirs may score again. This is the same nearest-the-target logic used in bowls.

Ringers usually cancel out. If both players throw a ringer, they may negate one another, leaving the round decided by the next-closest quoits. Agreeing on this before you begin avoids arguments halfway through.

Games are often played to a set total, such as 21, or over a fixed number of ends with the highest score winning. Choose whichever suits the length of your afternoon.

Because scoring involves quick comparisons and running totals, quoits is quietly good for young mathematicians. We looked at exactly this in quoits for kids the garden game that teaches maths without them noticing.

Keep a simple tally on paper or a chalkboard. Announce the score after each end so everyone stays in the game. When the winning total is reached, that player or team takes the match. The scoring is forgiving enough for children yet exact enough to keep adults honest.

Quoits Distances and Court Sizes for Garden and Tournament Play

Distance is what separates a gentle garden game from a serious contest. In the Northern Game, as codified in Britain, the standard playing distance for adults is 11 yards — roughly 10 metres — between the two hobs, according to the National Quoits Association.

That distance demands real skill and a heavy metal quoit. For most family gardens it is far too long. A shorter throw of a few metres keeps rope quoits within reach of children and casual players.

Set your distance to match your players. Start close, then move the throwing line back as confidence grows. There is no single correct measurement for garden play, so adapt the court to the space and the ages involved.

Give yourself a clear run-up and enough room behind each hob so stray quoits do not disappear into flower beds. A flat, open lawn gives the truest throws.

Quoits is widely regarded as a forerunner of horseshoes, the pitching game that became especially popular in the United States, as the Encyclopaedia Britannica notes. The family resemblance in distance and aim is easy to see.

If you enjoy laying out a proper court, you may also like setting up our croquet, which rewards the same care over the ground. Both belong to a tradition of lawn games built for long, unhurried afternoons.

Quoits Variations and Tips for Playing with Kids and Mixed Groups

Quoits adapts easily to whoever is playing. For younger children, shorten the distance and use rope rings, which are lighter and safer than metal. Let them stand a step closer than the adults so everyone has a genuine chance.

Mixed groups enjoy handicaps. Give experienced players a longer throw or fewer quoits, and level the field without slowing the fun. Small adjustments keep everyone involved rather than watching from the sidelines.

The nine-pin variation is worth trying for larger gatherings, with several targets to aim at and more chances to score. It turns a quiet duel into a lively group game and pairs well with other lawn favourites.

You might rotate quoits with a round of garden skittles to keep a party moving. Both are traditional, both are simple, and both draw players of every age.

Encourage children to keep the score themselves. The counting and comparing happen naturally, which is part of what makes quoits a fine choice among screen-free pastimes. Our thoughts on best outdoor toys children screen free garden play explore that further.

When the weather turns, the same spirit of gentle competition lives on indoors with our board games. But on a warm afternoon, few things beat the sound of a rope ring settling over a hob and a family agreeing, at last, on the score.

Frequently Asked Questions About Garden Game

How do you play quoits?

Quoits is a traditional British throwing game documented as far back as the 14th century. Players take turns pitching heavy metal, rubber or rope rings (quoits) at an upright pin called a hob, which is set flush with a clay bed in the traditional Northern Game. Two hobs are positioned 11 yards (approximately 10 metres) apart. Players pitch from one hob towards the other, aiming to land their quoit as close to or directly over the pin as possible. Jaques of London, established in 1795, has historically supplied traditional British garden quoits sets.

What are the rules of quoits?

In the Northern Game as codified in Britain, two hobs are set 11 yards apart, with each pin's top level with the clay surface. Players pitch from behind one hob towards the other, alternating throws. Only one player scores per round — the player whose quoit lies closest to the hob. A quoit encircling the hob (a ringer) scores highest. If a quoit from the opposing player cancels a ringer, neither scores for that quoit. Agreed house rules may vary distances and scoring for garden or informal play.

How do you win at quoits?

To win at quoits, a player or team must reach an agreed points total — commonly 21 points — before their opponent. Points are scored by landing quoits closer to the hob than your opponent's nearest quoit. Only the leading player scores in each round. A ringer (quoit encircling the pin) is the highest-value throw. Because only one side scores per round, tactical play — including knocking away an opponent's quoit — is an important element of the game.

How many players do you need to play quoits?

Quoits can be played with as few as two players, each throwing from opposite ends of the pitch in turn. It also suits four players in two teams of two, with partners standing at opposite hobs and pitching towards each other. Larger informal garden games can accommodate more players by adapting the scoring format. The standard two-player or two-team format remains most common, making quoits an accessible game for small groups and families alike.

How far apart should quoits posts be?

In the Northern Game as codified by the National Quoits Association (UK), the two hobs are set 11 yards apart, which is approximately 10 metres. For garden or junior play, this distance is often reduced to suit available space or younger players. Jaques of London garden quoits sets may recommend a shorter playing distance suitable for lawn use. The key principle is that both players pitch from behind the same hob line and the distance should remain consistent throughout the game.

How do you score points in quoits?

Scoring in quoits follows a cancellation system. After all quoits have been thrown in a round, only the player whose quoit is nearest to the hob scores. That player earns one point for each of their quoits that lies closer to the hob than the nearest opponent's quoit. A ringer — a quoit encircling the hob — scores and typically outranks any quoit that is merely close. If both players land ringers, they cancel each other out. Games are usually played to an agreed total, commonly 21 points.

What is a ringer in quoits?

A ringer in quoits is a throw in which the quoit lands encircling the hob (the metal pin), effectively forming a ring around it. A ringer is the most favourable outcome of any throw and outranks quoits that are merely close to the hob. If both players achieve ringers in the same round, they cancel each other out under standard cancellation scoring rules, and neither player scores for those ringers. Landing consistent ringers requires accurate, controlled throwing technique.

What do you need to play quoits in the garden?

To play quoits in the garden you need a set of quoits — traditionally heavy metal rings, though rubber or rope versions are common for garden use — and two hobs (upright pins). A flat area of lawn roughly 11 yards long is ideal for adult play, though a shorter distance suits smaller gardens. Traditional sets use a clay bed around the hob; garden versions typically use the lawn surface. Jaques of London, established in 1795 and the world's oldest surviving games and toys manufacturer, has historically supplied traditional British garden quoits sets suitable for outdoor play.

What is the difference between quoits and ring toss?

Quoits is a traditional British game documented from at least the 14th century, played with heavy rings pitched at a flush-set metal hob across a distance of 11 yards in its codified form. Ring toss is a fairground-style game where lightweight rings are tossed onto upright pegs or bottles at short range. Quoits involves skill, tactics and a cancellation scoring system; ring toss is generally a simple recreational activity. Quoits is also widely regarded as a forerunner of horseshoes, which became particularly popular in the United States.

Can you play quoits with children?

Yes, quoits is well suited to children with straightforward adjustments. Reducing the distance between hobs makes the game accessible for younger players, and lighter rubber or rope quoits are safer and easier to handle than traditional heavy metal rings. The simple objective — land your quoit closest to the hob — is easy to grasp, while the scoring system introduces basic counting and strategy. Jaques of London, established in 1795 and the world's oldest surviving games and toys manufacturer, has historically supplied garden quoits sets appropriate for family play.