The origin of the quoit is the Greek or Roman discus. This was
a flat, solid disc of stone or metal thrown as a trial of strength or
skill. Quoits are rings made of wood, metal, iron, ivory, rope or
rubber which are thrown to encircle a pin or number. This is
over a set distance, usually to land over or near a metal spike
(sometimes called a hob, mott or pin). There are several
variations around the country including indoors or in pubs. Deck
quoits is similar but played with rope quoits to protect the
decking. The word is probably from the Old French ‘coite’
meaning flat stone.
The traditional game is played with metal rings, the spike
positioned centrally and vertically in a square of moist clay
measuring three feet (around 1 metre) across. It wasn’t well-
documented until the 19 th Century.
In East Anglia a version of the ‘long game’ played in Scotland
and Wales is played, but with lighter and smaller weights. The
hobs are placed 18 yds (16 m) apart while the quoits are
typically around 9 in (23 cm) in diameter and weigh up to 11 lb
(5 kg). The long game has similarities to the game of bowls,
the player scoring a point for each quoit nearer to the pin than
his opponent.
