Child playing with a small box on grass

How To Play

Official Game Rules

(For 2 or 4 Players)

Overview

Wishy Washy is a handcrafted washer toss game made to bring people together. Players take turns tossing washers toward the opposite board, aiming to score exactly 21 points. 

Every set is built with real wood, finished by hand, and made to last well after the 400th throw. The three-hole layout adds just enough strategy to keep things interesting while staying easy for new players to learn and fun for anyone to play.

These instructions are written to make that first game simple to follow and clear enough that anyone can read once and start playing. The rest is up to you!

Game Equipment

2 Wishy Washy boards connected by a chain

6 steel washers (3 per player or team)

Each player or team uses washers of a unique color

Setup

Position the Boards

Pull the boards apart until the chain is tight. The front edges should face each other in a straight line, approximately 15 feet apart (players can reduce the distance to 10 feet if wanted).

Determine Teams

Singles: Two players face off.

Teams: Two players per team. One player from each team stands at each board.

Decide Who Starts

Flip a coin or “diddle” (each player tosses one washer; the closest to a hole or center goes first).

Gameplay

Players alternate turns throwing three washers toward the opposite board.

Throwing Rules

All throws must be underhand.

Players must toss from behind the front edge of their board. Stepping over is a foul.

Every washer must contact the board.

If a washer misses completely, the player must immediately rethrow until that washer has made contact with the board.

Washers that hit the board but do not enter a hole earn no points.

Washers that hit the ground and then the board are considered “dead” and can be removed. If they enter a hole, they do not score.

Turn Order

In singles: Player 1 throws all three washers, then Player 2.

In teams: Players on one board (1 and 2) throw first, throwing all three washers each turn (similar to singles). Teammates at the opposite board (3 and 4) follow after scoring is complete.

The team that scored last begins the next round. A bust automatically gives first throw to the opposing team.

Scoring

Each hole is worth a different value:

Front hole (hole closest to the chain) = 1 point

Middle hole = 3 points

Back hole = 5 points

Cancellation Scoring

If both players land washers in the same hole, those cancel out one-for-one.
Only washers that remain in non-canceled holes at the end of the round count.

Knock-ins count. If your washer knocks another washer (of either team) into a hole, it scores.
Knock-outs do not. Only washers that remain in the hole when all throws are complete are scored. If a washer goes in the hole and bounces back out, it doesn’t count.

Example:

Player A lands washers in the 1, 3, and 5 point holes.

Player B lands washers in the 3 and 5 point holes.

The washers in the 3 and 5 point holes cancel, leaving only Player A’s 1 point washer to score.

Player A earns 1 point for the round.

The 21-Point Rule and Busts

The game is played to exactly 21 points.

If a player or team exceeds 21, they bust.

When a bust occurs, subtract the value of the hole that caused the overshoot.

Any remaining washers that land in holes that round also subtract from the total.

A bust immediately transfers the first throw next turn to the opposing team.

Example:

A team at 19 points lands a washer in the 5-point hole → 24 points → bust.

19 − 5 = 14 points.

They throw again and land in the 3-point hole → 14 − 3 = 11 points.

If the third washer misses, they rethrow until it hits the board.

The team ends the round with 11 points.

Team Play

Team scoring and rules are identical to singles. Each team’s total score is shared.

Setup Example:

Team A: Players 1 and 3

Team B: Players 2 and 4

Players 1 and 2 throw at Board A; Players 3 and 4 throw at Board B.

After each round, the team that last scored begins the next turn.

Disclaimer

Please pay attention and play responsibly.

As Pop’s always said, “Play stupid games, win stupid prizes!”