Rulebook · version 1.0

Official rules

Eight articles, five minutes to read, zero excuses on the lane. Captains acknowledge the active rulebook during registration.

1.Spirit of the Game

Washer toss is a game of touch, nerve, and neighbourliness. Play hard, laugh harder.
Scorekeepers and tournament officials have the final word on the day. Disputes are heard once, politely.
The Ruby Rule: play like your grandmother is watching. At this tournament, she is. She's 101, she's seen everything, and she will absolutely comment on your form.

2.The Court

Two washer boxes per lane, set 21 feet apart, centre to centre.
Each box is a 16-inch square with a 4-inch cup at centre.
The foul line is the front edge of the box. A thrower's foot may not cross it before the washer lands.

3.Teams & Throws

Teams are two players. Partners stand at opposite boxes and stay there for the full game.
Each turn, a player throws three washers at the far box, alternating turns with the opposing player at their end.
The team that scored last throws first. Opening throw of the game goes to the winner of a one-washer closest-to-the-cup toss.

4.Scoring

In the cup: 3 points. Around here that's a suey, and you're allowed, encouraged even, to call it loud.
In the box: 1 point. Anywhere else: a story for later.
Cancellation scoring: matching points cancel. If both teams throw a suey in the same end, the crowd wins and nobody scores.
First team to 21 wins. At 20-all, play continues until one team leads by 2.
A washer leaning into the cup counts as in the box. It's only a suey when it's all the way in; the cup has no opinion on effort.

5.Fouls

Foot over the foul line: that washer scores nothing and stays where it lies.
Thrown out of turn: the washer is removed, no score, play resumes in order.
A washer that bounces off the ground into the box or cup scores nothing. This is washer toss, not crokinole.

6.Time & Ties (pool play)

Pool-play games carry a 25-minute cap to keep eight lanes moving.
At the cap, the leading team takes the win. Tied at the cap: one final full end decides it.
Bracket games play to the full 21 with no cap. Championships are not rushed.

7.Weather & Delays

Rain that a New Brunswicker would call 'spitting' does not stop play.
Lightning clears the lanes immediately; play resumes 30 minutes after the last strike.
The tournament director may compress formats to finish the day. The banner gets raised.

8.Conduct

Chirping is heritage; disrespect is not. Officials draw the line and it holds.
Alcohol rules follow the posted grounds policy. Coolers are checked at the gate.
One warning, then a forfeit. Nobody has ever needed the second sentence. Keep it that way.

Rules are maintained by the organizing committee and versioned; the active version at check-in governs the day. Questions, or loopholes you're proud of finding: tell the committee.