Horseshoes

[Minwah]

Do Americans really throw horseshoes at poles?

Just interested...I'd never seen the game before American Horsehoes/Shuuz in MAME (the latter is great fun IMO).

The closest thing we have in the UK (only in a couple of counties) is Aunt Sally, which involves throwing wooden sticks at a wooden 'dolly' (bit of wood) which sits on top of a metal pole.  You have to hit the dolly clean off without hitting the pole first.  Free beer can be won at pub competitions 

Also, interesting that 'American Horseshoes' features a Mini in a back alley (see my avatar), and Mini's are relatively uncommon in the States.

[crashwg]

I think you'd be hard pressed to find an American who's never played!

We even have a phrase that stems from the game of horseshoes.  "Close is for horsehoes and handgrenades" 

It's kinda fun when you're at having a cookout/family gathering...  You know, something to pass the time.  Perhaps you should bring the game across the pond. 

[Minwah]

It's kinda fun when you're at having a cookout/family gathering...  You know, something to pass the time.  Perhaps you should bring the game across the pond. 

If Shuuz is anything to go by beer seems to fit in perfectly with the game.  Sounds good to me 

[Stingray]

Shuuz is a pretty accurate representation of the game IMO. I actually quite like that one. Beer is mandatory if you're playing the real thing. When playing the game, real horse shoes aren't used any more. Larger, heavier, oversized "shoes" have replaced the geniune artical.

-S

[2600]

Mmmm horseshoes, some beer, and a bushel of Bay Crabs.  Why does today have to be Monday?

Let us know if you need help importing a set, we can always try to throw in some other goodies.  Then again it may not be hard to find a couple of horseshores and a couple of metal poles to avoid shipping. 


Also, Looks like you've missed Quoits.
http://www.tradgames.org.uk/games/Quoits.htm

[ChadTower]

Shuuz is a pretty accurate representation of the game IMO. I actually quite like that one. Beer is mandatory if you're playing the real thing. When playing the game, real horse shoes aren't used any more. Larger, heavier, oversized "shoes" have replaced the geniune artical.

Maybe they've been replaced where you live.  Not here. 

I've never quite understood why able bodied 30-35 year old men give up active pursuits in favor of a game where you're lightly tossing an object at something 10 feet away.  It's like voluntarily aging yourself 15 years out of pure laziness.  My friends play a game even dumber than horseshoes where they throw washers into holes that are only like 6 feet away.  And they act like it's a huge deal.  They get into arguments about scoring and have lights set up so they can play at night. 

[Stingray]

Maybe they've been replaced where you live.  Not here. 

Interesting. I don't think I've ever seen anyone play with real horeshoes. Just those oversized cast metal jobbies. Sometimes they're even coated in protective rubber or something.

I've never quite understood why able bodied 30-35 year old men give up active pursuits in favor of a game where you're lightly tossing an object at something 10 feet away.

For whatever it's worth, regulation distance is 40 feet, not 10, but granted, it's still a pretty silly game.

-S

[ChadTower]

Interesting. I don't think I've ever seen anyone play with real horeshoes. Just those oversized cast metal jobbies. Sometimes they're even coated in protective rubber or something.

I've seen those sets, but some people here have horses, and thus have extra shoes.

For whatever it's worth, regulation distance is 40 feet, not 10, but granted, it's still a pretty silly game.

The ten foot figure I gave was for the washer/hole game.  They were calling it Grunt for some reason.  People were offended when I suggested it was dumb and that we should stop acting 55, pick up the football, and do something that required putting the beer down between sips.

Any game that you can play without putting down one's drink can wait until I'm 50 and can't run anymore.

[Crazy Cooter]

lol.  I've never heard of "Grunt".  Sounds like something that was conjured up in some garage after the cards got beer spilled on them  .  For horseshoes, it's the oversize ones, or I can't score a point.

"Aunt Sally"?  With all the throwing sticks I'm glad I wasn't her.  How do you play?  Do you take turns until someone bashes the wood chunk off?  I'm picturing a horseshoe pole with a wooden dowel on it.  Then throwing sections of closet rod at it.

[Effayy]

Any game that you can play without putting down one's drink can wait until I'm 50 and can't run anymore.

Phewf! That means I can still go bowling.   I'd only end up spilling beer on the lane if I tried holding it while playing.

- FA

[ChadTower]

Here in New England it's hard to find big ball bowling.  We have these retarded little softball sized balls.  You can still hold your beer while you bowl.  Imagine bowling with a ball you could throw to the pins if you wanted.

[Stingray]

Heh heh heh ... big balls.

-S

[Crazy Cooter]

We have these retarded little softball sized balls.

[ChadTower]

You could have a beer with this guy.

[Havok]

Do Americans really throw horseshoes at poles?

Just interested...I'd never seen the game before American Horsehoes/Shuuz in MAME (the latter is great fun IMO).

The closest thing we have in the UK (only in a couple of counties) is Aunt Sally, which involves throwing wooden sticks at a wooden 'dolly' (bit of wood) which sits on top of a metal pole.

[Harry Potter]