Snake pit (game)

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Snake Pit is an outdoor recreational game and an alternative to the popular activity known as horseshoes. The game requires contestants to toss an oversized washer into a square wooden box or the hole inside of it (a pipe coming up from the base of the box) for a certain number of points. Traditionally, it's two points for a shot in the box and five if it's made in the hole or the "snake pit." Games go up to 11 and are either 1 on 1 or 2 on 2. Though the tasks of the two games are similar, (toss the main object as close to a destination as possible) the most appealing difference to most casual players may be that the weight of the main game piece (an oversized washer vs. a horseshoe) is lighter, and easier to be handled and tossed by children.

A game set includes two square boxes (usually made from wood) and an open top. Inside the wooden box is a tube coming up as high as the box surrounding it. A small hole on the bottom edge of the box is used to put a rope through. The rope is ties on the inside on one side, and leads to an identical wooden box on another. Six oversized washers are also necessary.

Most games are 2 on 2, and require one person from each team to be on either side, thus making two opponents on each side. One contestant shoots three washers, then his opponent (the one next to him) shoots his three. First team to 11 points wins. However, "cancelling" can occur. If The first shooter hits a 2-pointer, then the person on his side also hits a 2-pointer, neither points count. Same goes if a consecutive "snake pits" are hit. If a washer leans on an edge of the box, whether it has landed directly on it or if it has bounced first, the game is over, and the team who shot the "leaner" has won.