Ring Toss Rules | How to Play Ringtoss

You toss rings at pegs or posts. Land them on the targets. Score points. Win the game.

Ring toss is one of the oldest lawn games. You’ve seen it at carnivals, county fairs, and backyard parties. Simple to set up. Easy to learn. Endlessly entertaining.

The game works for all ages. Kids master it quickly. Adults enjoy the competition. Everyone can play together.

Let me show you how.

What You Need for Ring Toss

Ring toss requires minimal equipment.

You need rings. Most sets include 8 to 10 rings made from rope, plastic, wood, or rubber. Rings typically measure 5 to 7 inches in diameter. You get different colored rings to distinguish players or teams.

You need a target board or pegs. The simplest version uses a single wooden post stuck in the ground. More elaborate sets have boards with multiple pegs at different distances. Some boards have 5 pegs arranged in a pattern. Others have 13 hooks at various positions.

Common peg arrangements include one center peg with four surrounding pegs, or a straight line of pegs at increasing distances.

That’s everything. Complete ring toss sets package rings and target board together, often in a carrying case.

You can start playing right away with this ring toss set. It comes with the base and rings you need for a quick setup.

Setting Up Your Ring Toss Game

Place your target board on level ground. Position it so all pegs are visible and accessible.

If using a simple peg setup, stick the post firmly in the ground. Make sure it stands straight and stable.

Mark a throwing line about 10 feet from the target. This is the standard distance for casual play. You can adjust closer for young kids or farther for experienced players.

Use chalk, rope, or a piece of wood to mark the throwing line clearly. Players must stay behind this line when tossing.

Your ring toss court is ready. No complex measurements needed. Just a target and a throwing line.

How Many Players Can Play Ring Toss

Ring toss accommodates any number of players.

Two players: Head to head competition. Each player uses their own colored rings.

Teams: Divide into two teams. Team members take turns throwing. Combine scores for team totals.

Multiple players: Everyone can play individually. Take turns in rotation. Track each player’s score separately.

Large groups: Set up a tournament bracket. Winners advance. Losers are eliminated.

The game scales perfectly whether you have 2 people or 20.

Basic Ring Toss Rules

The core rules are simple and flexible.

Stand behind the throwing line. You must toss from behind the marked line. Stepping over doesn’t count.

Toss all your rings. Each player typically throws 5 rings per turn. Toss them one at a time toward the target.

Only ringers score. The ring must land completely around the peg. Leaning against the peg doesn’t count. Touching the peg but not encircling it scores zero.

Different pegs score different points. Closer pegs usually score fewer points. Farther pegs score more points. The center peg often scores the most.

Take turns. After one player tosses all rings, the next player goes. Continue rotating until someone wins.

First to target score wins. Common winning scores are 21, 50, or 100 points depending on how long you want to play.

Ring Toss Scoring Systems

Several scoring methods exist. Choose one before starting.

Standard Five Peg Scoring

The most common setup uses five pegs arranged with one in the center and four around it.

Center peg: 5 points
Back peg: 3 points
Side pegs: 2 points each
Front peg: 1 point

This arrangement rewards difficult long throws while keeping closer pegs valuable.

Distance Based Scoring

Some boards arrange pegs in a straight line at increasing distances.

Closest peg: 1 point
Second peg: 2 points
Third peg: 3 points
Fourth peg: 4 points
Farthest peg: 5 points

The farther the peg, the more points you earn.

Simple Scoring

For kids or casual play, all pegs score the same.

Any ringer: 1 point

This keeps things simple and focuses on just landing rings.

Carnival Style Scoring

Traditional carnival games use bottles as targets.

Any bottle: 3 points
Center bottle: 5 points

You try to loop rings around bottle necks.

Winning the Game

Different winning conditions suit different situations.

First to 21 points works great for quick games. Typically takes 5 to 10 minutes.

First to 50 points creates moderate length games. About 15 to 20 minutes.

First to 100 points produces longer competitions. Can take 30 minutes or more.

Round limit games play a set number of rounds like 5 or 10. Highest score when rounds end wins.

Exact score games require hitting the target number exactly. Going over doesn’t count and you must try again next turn.

Agree on the winning condition before the first toss.

Ring Toss Throwing Techniques

Proper technique improves your accuracy dramatically.

Stand behind the throwing line with your feet shoulder width apart. Balance matters.

Hold the ring with a comfortable grip. Most players grip with thumb on top and fingers underneath.

Focus on your target peg. Look at where you want the ring to land, not at the ring itself.

Swing your arm smoothly in an arc. Use a gentle underhand motion like bowling. Let the ring release naturally at the top of your swing.

Add a slight flick of the wrist at release. This creates spin that stabilizes the ring in flight.

Follow through after release. Don’t stop your arm motion abruptly.

The ring should sail through the air flat and level. Too much spin makes it wobble. Not enough spin makes it unstable.

Practice your release point. Releasing too early sends rings high. Too late sends them into the ground.

Ring Toss Strategy and Tips

Good players use specific tactics.

Start with closer pegs. Build confidence with easier shots before attempting distant targets.

Aim slightly high. Rings tend to drop as they fly. Aiming at the top of the peg helps rings fall onto it.

Watch other players. Learn from successful throws. Notice their grip, arc, and release point.

Adjust for wind. Outdoor play requires compensating for breeze. Aim slightly into the wind.

Stay consistent. Use the same throwing motion every time. Consistency beats wild attempts.

Go for high value pegs when ahead. If you’re leading, take risks on difficult shots. The reward is worth it.

Play safe when behind. If trailing, focus on guaranteed points from easier pegs rather than risky long shots.

Control your spin. Too much rotation causes rings to bounce off pegs. Gentle spin stabilizes without creating bounce.

Common Ring Toss Mistakes

New players make predictable errors.

Throwing too hard. Power doesn’t help in ring toss. A gentle, controlled toss beats a fastball every time.

Wrong grip. Gripping too tight causes jerky releases. Too loose and you lose control. Find the middle ground.

Not following through. Stopping your arm motion at release kills accuracy. Let your arm finish naturally.

Looking at the ring. Watch the target, not your hand. Your brain aims better when focused on the destination.

Standing sideways. Face the target squarely. Sideways stances reduce accuracy and control.

Rushing throws. Take your time. Line up each shot. Breathe.

Same technique for all pegs. Different distances require different arcs. Adjust your throwing motion for each target.

Ring Toss Variations

Creative players have invented many versions.

Closing Game: Each peg can only be scored once. When you land a ringer, that peg closes. Your ring stays there. First player to close all pegs wins. Creates strategic choices about which pegs to target.

Knockout: Players try to knock opponent rings off pegs with their throws. Landing on an occupied peg removes the other ring. Aggressive and competitive.

Add Up: Set a target number like 15. Players toss until their running total hits exactly that number. Going over means starting over from zero.

Speed Round: Each player gets 30 seconds to toss all their rings. Most points in the time limit wins.

Team Relay: Teams line up. Each player tosses one ring then tags the next teammate. First team to score 21 points wins.

Hook and Ring: A wall mounted version where a ring hangs from string. Swing it to hook onto a wall mounted hook. Different scoring system but same basic concept.

If you enjoy backyard games, check out my guide on how to play cornhole, bocce ball, and Mölkky.

Ring Toss for Different Ages

Ring toss adapts to all skill levels.

Young kids (ages 3 to 6): Use large rings and place target 5 feet away. All pegs score 1 point. Focus on fun, not competition.

Older kids (ages 7 to 12): Standard 10 foot distance works. Use full scoring system. Introduce friendly competition.

Teens and adults: Full distance at 10 to 15 feet. Use complex scoring with multiple pegs. Competitive play.

Seniors: Adjust distance for comfort. Use larger rings if dexterity is limited. Focus on social play.

The beauty of ring toss is its flexibility. Modify rules to suit your group.

Ring Toss Court Dimensions

Understanding standard measurements helps with setup.

Throwing distance: 10 feet standard, 5 to 15 feet range
Ring diameter: 5 to 7 inches
Peg height: 8 to 12 inches above ground
Peg diameter: 0.5 to 1 inch
Board size: 12 to 24 inches square for multi peg boards
Peg spacing: 4 to 8 inches between pegs

These are typical sizes. Carnival games and specialized sets vary widely.

Building Your Own Ring Toss Game

You can construct ring toss equipment easily.

Simple version: Get a wooden dowel 1 inch thick and 12 inches long. Sharpen one end. Drive it into the ground. Buy rope rings or make them from PVC pipe wrapped with rope.

Board version: Cut a wooden board 18 inches square. Drill holes for wooden pegs. Insert dowels and glue them. Paint point values next to each peg.

Bottle version: Collect glass bottles. Arrange them on a board or in the grass. Use the bottle necks as targets.

PVC rings: Cut PVC pipe into 8 inch sections. Connect ends with connectors to form circles. Wrap with duct tape for grip and color coding.

Total cost runs $10 to $30 depending on materials. Commercial sets cost $20 to $60.

Playing Surfaces for Ring Toss

Ring toss works on many different surfaces.

Grass lawns provide the traditional setting. Level ground plays best. Pegs stick firmly in soil.

Sand at beaches works great. The soft landing is forgiving. Pegs need deeper planting in loose sand.

Indoor floors accommodate ring toss year round. Hard surfaces work fine since rings don’t need cushioning.

Concrete patios are perfect for backyard play. Use weighted bases instead of ground stakes.

Gravel or dirt at parks and campgrounds works well. Any relatively flat area suffices.

The game adapts to virtually any location with enough space for throwing.

Ring Toss Etiquette

Good ring toss includes proper conduct.

Wait for all rings to land before approaching the target. Don’t walk into the throwing area while someone tosses.

Let each player complete their turn without distraction. No talking or moving during their throws.

Agree on close calls together. If a ring looks like it’s on the peg, check together before deciding.

Keep score honestly. Ring toss works on the honor system in casual play.

Congratulate good throws even from opponents. The game is supposed to be fun.

Help younger players. Give tips and encouragement. Make sure everyone enjoys themselves.

Ring Toss Tournaments

Want to organize competition? Here’s how.

Single elimination brackets work well for large groups. Lose once and you’re out. Winners advance.

Round robin format has everyone play everyone. Most total points wins overall.

Best of three matches makes individual games matter more. Win two games to advance.

Team tournaments create four person teams. Combine scores for team totals.

Skill divisions separate beginners from experts. This keeps competition fair.

Offer small prizes. Trophies, ribbons, or gift cards add motivation. Even bragging rights work.

Start Playing Ring Toss Today

Ring toss combines skill, accuracy, and fun competition. Setup takes two minutes. Learning takes one game. Mastering it provides endless entertainment.

Set up your target. Mark your throwing line. Grab your rings. Take your first toss.

Your ring toss game is ready to begin.