New Tailgating Game: Polish Horseshoes
Thursday, August 19, 2010
It seems like everyday we learn about more and more tailgating games that keep surfacing across parking lots across the country. However, this is the first game that we have heard of that requires you to be holding a beer in hand during game play, or face penalty. Now that I have your attention, I'd like to present Polish Horseshoe, which is also known as Frisbeer or Beersbie.
The game involves two team members trying to knock down the other's team beer can off the pole with a Frisbee. We, of course, recommend using a soda can to avoid any unnecessary beer spillage. Much like regular horseshoes, there are different points awarded for different types of results.
There is one major downside to this game, and that is space. You need lots of it. We highly recommend this game, but only if your tailgating area allows room for it. If not, you are just going to spend the majority of the tailgate apologizing to your neighbors, and handing out beers to replace spilled ones.
And, as in all tailgating games, there will always be house rules. Below is a video of the rules explained...sort of.
Rules of Polish Horseshoes
Here are the rules of Polish Horseshoes, as seen on Wikipedia. Each Player MUST have a drink in their hand. 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 disc 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 disc 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 disc was uncatchable, then no points are awarded. The disc 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. Use common sense. 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 disc, 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 disc, the throwing team gets 1 point.
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