Here are the basic rules of horseshoes, a game that dates back to the second century.

• The court is 50 feet long and 10 feet wide

• Iron stakes that are 14 inches high are placed in pits 40 feet apart

• One point is awarded for the closest shoe if there is no ringer

• A ringer counts as three points

• Regulation games are played to a winning score of 50. Casual games are played to a winning score of 21.