Polish horseshoes

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Polish Horseshoes (also called Spanish Horseshoes, Frisbeener in the midwest, French Darts in Virginia,[1] and Beersbee in Canada[2]) is an outdoor game played between two teams of two people using a Frisbee, two glass bottles, and stakes nailed into the ground. The game is played by the players taking turns throwing a Frisbee at a glass bottle that rests on top of the stakes in the ground. The two stakes are placed anywhere between 20 to 40 ft (6.1 to 12.2 m) apart. Players must hold a drink in one hand at all times, leaving only one hand free for throwing and catching


The game begins with some kind of fair settlement between each team to decide who starts first. The first team tosses the Frisbee, aiming it towards a glass bottle that is placed on top of the stake opposite them. Then the other team throws the Frisbee at the first team's bottle. Points are scored when the bottle is knocked off the stake, the receiving team fails to catch the Frisbee, or the Frisbee is thrown in a way that it is uncatchable (see Scoring). Play continues until one team has reached a set amount of points (typically 21), beating their opponent by at least two points.


The object of Polish Horseshoes is to knock the glass bottle off the stake either by hitting it directly or by hitting the stake. Knocking the bottle off by hitting it directly is worth 2 points. This is called a "dinger" (similar to regular horseshoes if one scores a "ringer."). Knocking the bottle off by hitting the stake is worth 1 point. The defending players can try to catch the falling bottle with one hand. If they succeed, the point value of the hit is reduced by 1. For example, catching a bottle that was knocked off with a direct hit earns the throwing team 1 point. Catching the bottle after a stake hit prevents the throwing team from earning any points. The Frisbee cannot be caught before it has passed the pole. If it is, the team that threw is awarded 3 pts. Because of this rule, it is usually a good idea to stand just a step or two back from the pole as to eliminate any early catches.

In addition, the Frisbee itself must be caught after every throw. Failure to do so earns the throwing team 1 point. If it is collectively decided (by the players and maybe the bystanders) that the Frisbee was uncatchable, then no points are awarded. The Frisbee is deemed uncatchable it if hits the ground before getting to the stake, or if the angle between the disc and the ground is more than 30 degrees (this is called a 'blade'). It may also be called uncatchable if it is way off target, too high, or for other reasons. Also, if the Frisbee hits the stake below the knees, the Frisbee is deemed uncatchable, but the bottle is still in play and therefore worth 1 point.

Scoring examples: If a thrower hits the bottle directly and the defenders fail to catch the bottle and the Frisbee, the throwing team earns 3 points. Catching one object but not the other is 2 points. Catching both is 1 point. If the bottle is knocked off by hitting the stake and nothing is caught, this is worth 2 points. Catching either object lowers the point value to 1 and catching both the disc and the bottle results in 0 points being awarded. If the bottle is not dislodged, but the receiving team fails to catch the Frisbee, the throwing team gets 1 point.


  1. ^ Fowler, Hart (28 Sep 2006). "How to Play French Darts". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved 2012-06-19. 
  2. ^ "Beersbee: Frisbee Drinking Game Rules". Retrieved 2011-10-20. 

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