Inning: ringers and close shoesTwo small boxes: the ringers that count, 0 to 2, and the other shoes that count, 0 to 2. The row works out 3 a ringer and 1 a close shoe, and the running total shows under it.
Total of the inningsEvery inning added up for each pitcher. The higher total is marked as leading.
What a shoe scores 9
A foul shoe scores nothingA shoe pitched against the rules is always out of count.
A leaner scores 1A shoe at rest upright against the stake is a shoe in count.
A ringer scores 3A shoe at rest around the stake. Type it under Ring.
A ringer scores 3, a close shoe 1Close: not a ringer, at rest within 6 inches of the stake.
A shoe farther than 6 inches scores nothingIt is out of count, so it goes in neither box.
A shoe within 6 inches scores 1Not a ringer, 6 inches or closer. Type it under Close.
An inning is four shoesEach pitcher pitches two shoes, then the inning is scored.
Checking a ringerA straightedge across the open end must clear the stake.
Two ringers score 6The most one pitcher can score in an inning.
Show all 28 lines (17 more)
Cancellation scoring 8
A ringer and the closest shoe score 4One live ringer, and the same pitcher's other shoe is closest.
Only one pitcher scores an inningThe other pitcher's row is left empty or typed as 0.
Ringers cancel each otherOne ringer each: both are dead and neither is typed.
The scorer pitches first next inningWith no score, the pitcher who pitched last goes first.
Shoes at an equal distance cancelOpposing shoes equally close to the stake score nothing.
Three ringers score 3Two dead and three: one ringer of the pair is cancelled.
The two closest shoes score 2Both of one pitcher's shoes lie closer than the other's.
With no live ringer the nearest shoe scores 1It must lie within 6 inches of the stake.
Count-all scoring 2
Count-all: both pitchers scoreNothing cancels. Each scores 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6 an inning.
Count-all: the first pitch alternatesSo each pitcher has the same number of first pitches.
How long a game is 7
40 shoes a pitcher is 20 inningsA suggested shoe limit. Then the higher score wins.
A tie at the shoe limitIt may stay a tie, or two more innings are pitched.
Backyard games are usually to 21A house game: agree the number before the first pitch.
First to 40 points, or 50 shoes50 shoes a pitcher: 25 innings. Then the higher score wins.
Some house rules give a leaner 2This sheet counts a leaner as 1, a shoe in count.
Twenty innings fit on this sheetA longer game carries on, on a second printed sheet.
Win by 2The sheet marks who reaches 21. Play on to a lead of 2.
How this list was compiled: The layout is our own work: a row for each inning, a small box for the ringers and one for the other shoes that count, the inning's points worked out beside them, a running total and a game total. Checked on 2026-10-05 against the Official Rules, Guidelines and Specifications of the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association (https://www.horseshoepitching.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/RGS2024revjan2024.pdf): an inning of four shoes; a ringer, the straightedge test and its 3 points; a shoe 6 inches or closer, a leaner among them, 1 point; a shoe farther off and a foul shoe out of count; cancellation scoring (ringers cancel, only one contestant scores an inning, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6 points, opposing shoes at an equal distance cancel); count-all scoring (both score 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6); who pitches first; the suggested limits of 40 points and of 40 or 50 shoes, or both; a tie left standing or a two-inning tiebreaker. The same day, the English Wikipedia article Horseshoes (game) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horseshoes_(game)): back-yard games usually to 21 points, win by 2; alternate scoring that gives a leaner two points; three ringers called two dead and three. The backyard sheet is a house game and is marked as one. No maker, court, club or event is named. Licence: own work
How it works
This scoreboard for horseshoes is a sheet you type on, on your phone beside the pit or printed for a clipboard: a row for each inning, a column for each pitcher and a running total that says who reached 40.
Read the full guide
Score an inning
Type the two names under Pitcher 1 and Pitcher 2. After all four shoes are pitched, type the scorer's ringers under Ring and the other shoes that count under Close. The row works out 3 a ringer and 1 a close shoe. Ringers that cancel are not typed.
Count-all and backyard games
Count-all, 40 shoes has both pitchers type every inning for twenty innings. Backyard to 21 is the house game, with the fuller list of cancellation rulings under it. Print blank sheet prints the open sheet empty.
A leaner is typed under Close: it counts 1, as any shoe within 6 inches.
Leave the row empty for the pitcher who did not score that inning.
Questions and answers
How do you keep score in horseshoes?
A ringer scores 3 and a shoe within 6 inches of the stake scores 1. In cancellation scoring one ringer from each pitcher cancels out and only one pitcher scores an inning: 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6 points.
How many points is a leaner in horseshoes?
One point under the association's rules: a leaner is a shoe in count, the same as any shoe 6 inches or closer to the stake. Some house rules give it 2, so agree that before the first pitch.
What score do you play horseshoes to?
The association suggests 40 points, or a limit of 40 or 50 shoes, or both. Backyard games are usually played to 21, win by 2. The sheets here are set to 40 and to 21.
What is count-all scoring?
Both pitchers score every inning and nothing cancels, so each takes 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6 points. The game runs to a set number of shoes and the higher score wins.
Can I print a blank horseshoe score sheet?
Yes. Print blank sheet prints the open sheet empty on Letter or A4: a numbered row for each inning, two small boxes a pitcher and a line for the game total.