Ring the bull is a pub game. It involves swinging a bull's nose-ring, which is attached to a string, in an arc so as to hook it onto a bull's nose and hook. It must stay on the hook to count as a successful throw.
There is a vibrant and thriving tradition of playing this game at what is reputedly the oldest pub in England, Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem in Nottingham, and in several other traditional public houses.
The Old White Bear Public House in Cross Hills, near Keighley, also houses a "ringing the bull" game. A firm favourite amongst the locals, a tournament has been taking place for the last few months with 32 customers against one another to determine the overall champion. From 32 players only 4 remain with the final to be held soon, with the champion set to win a gallon of beer.
The hook and ring game was adopted by the earlier settlers of the Caribbean islands, where it is also referred to as the Bimini Ring Game. When the hook is attached to a post or pole, the ring can actually be swung behind the hook, catching on the hook as it swings back. If the ring is caught by the hook, the score is two points. If the ring is first swung from behind the hook and it swings back and catches on the hook, the score for the throw is three points.