What is the rules for the game of horseshoes?

Answer 1

The game begins with a flip of a coin or flip of a horseshoe to determine who goes first. The winner of the toss throws both horseshoes, one at a time, at the opposite stake, and then the second player throws both of their horseshoes at the same stake. In team play, one member of each team stands at opposite ends and throws only from their end. After scoring, the next round is done in reverse order, or by throwing back at the original stake. Play continues until one player has at least 21 points at the end of a round. NHPA sanctioned games are generally played to 40 points, or a shoe limit of 40 or 50 shoes. Horseshoepitching

In horseshoes, there are two ways to score: by throwing "ringers," or by throwing the horseshoe nearest to the opposite stake. This scoring system gives rise to the popular expression "Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades." A ringer is a thrown horseshoe such that the horseshoe completely encircles the stake. Disputes are settled by using a straightedge to touch the two points at the ends of the horseshoe, called "heel calks." If the straight edge doesn't touch the stake, then the horseshoe is a ringer.

The nearest horseshoe to the stake within 6 inches counts one point. If both of one player's horseshoes are closer than the opponent's, that player scores two points. 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.

Answer 2

If your shoe is less than one shoe-width from the stake - that's one point.
If it's touching the stake - that's two points
Shoe surrounds stake - ringer, three points
That's the easy part. Now it gets tricky...if both players score, only the closest shoe counts. If each player gets ringer...no points for either player. You cancel out opponents points with your matching shoes. ................