Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Quoit Factory the best and most trusted source for Quoits?

  1. Veteran owned and Made in USA, we have the largest selection of Quoits products in the world.
  2. The Quoit Factory has a retail store open to the public where you can view, test and purchase our quoits games. 
  3. We utilize a network of locally owned family businesses for all our quoits supplies.  This allows us to produce consistent quality products.
  4. The Quoit Factory black league quoits are the only brand of rubber quoits used by the major quoit leagues in Pennsylvania for over a decade.  The best players use our quoits because they’re arguably the best in performance and durability.  Any other quoits marketed as “official league quoits” is misleading. 
  5. Quoit Factory invented multi-color rubber quoits and lightweight quoit boards and were awarded patents.  We continue to develop new exciting quoits game.
  6. The Owner, Nicholas Kennedy, handcrafts each and every quoit board ensuring a consistent quality product since 2003.

Visit our Quality page to learn why the Quoit Factory is a trusted source for quality Quoit Boards and Quoits.

What is Quoits?

Quoits is an indoor/outdoor game in which 2 or 4 players pitch rubber quoits onto a slanted Quoit Board from 18 ft away. Quoits rivals Billiards in eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey and is found in many backyards, bars and membership clubs.

To win, a team must reach 21 points. Scoring is similar to horseshoes, but with a different pitching technique. Players “pitch” rubber quoits with a flat spin so they land and stay on the quoit board or players attempt to “dig” their opponent off the board. Ringers are worth 3 points, while each quoit closest to the hub is worth 1 point.


How do you play?

View the Rules and Scoring Chart.

Where did the Quoits game come from?

Quoits originated in the Pennsylvania slate belt region in the 1930’s by slate quarry workers. The miners would play quoits on their lunch breaks and also made slate boards for family, friends and many local establishments. The game soon became popular and spread into nearby towns and into New Jersey.  Over time, Quoit Leagues formed and thousands of people enjoyed the love of the game through family picnics, tournaments, and any opportunity to “pitch” quoits.

Slate Quoit Boards or the lightweight Tailgate Quoit Boards….. which one is best?

Slate Quoit Boards are handcrafted to last generations. If handled improperly they can chip or break. Slate Quoit Boards are often left outdoors since slate can handle moisture and won’t deteriorate for decades. Slate exhibits a unique sound when the rubber quoits land onto it, which is soothing to avid quoit players. There are many steps that go into making a Slate Quoit Board. The slate is mined from a quarry and a slab is cut typically weighing around 2-3 tons. That slab is then cut down to size with a diamond saw. The slate is then honed to a perfectly flat surface and polished along the sides. The surface is then sanded to provide the appropriate texture so the rubber quoits perform and wear correctly. Scoring rings are engraved into the slate and milled for the hubs.

Tailgate Quoit Boards are made of a composite plastic material and oak hardwood. The Tailgate Quoit boards have a molded textured HDPE surface, which allows the rubber quoits to perform and act like they do on Slate Quoit Boards. The quoits stick like they do onto slate and the game action will impress any quoits player. Tailgate Quoit Boards can handle moderate rain but must be stored indoors.

Each Tailgate Quoit Board weighs approximately 17 lbs a piece, which is much lighter to move around vs. Slate boards that weigh 65 lbs. Tailgate Quoit Boards won’t chip or break like Slate Quoit Boards can. Tailgate Quoit Boards are a great alternative to the heavy and more expensive slate boards, but if your looking for the originial version than go with slate.

What is the difference between the slate colors?

Slate is a fine-grained metamorphic rock created by the alteration of shale by regional metamorphism millions of years ago. The color of slate is often determined by the amount of iron and organic material that is present in the rock.

The decay of marine organisms on ancient sea floors 500 million years ago gave rise to the grey and black slate colors. Compounds of iron found in the sediment during that time generated slate colors of green and purple. Each slate quoit board has subtle differences than the next, but the color is consistent throughout. It takes 10,000 years of sediment required to form 1 inch of slate! 

The Quoit Factory uses a network of family operated slate quarries found in the United States, all who have quality slate material proven to withstand the test of time:

Black Slate – Extremely hard and durable, Black Slate has a stunning blue/black color enhanced by a glistening mica sheen. It’s one of the best quality slates we offer and the rich color will never fade from UV exposure. 

Grey Slate – Mined in the slate belt region of Pennsylvania, grey slate has a blue/gray to blue/black color often containing a black line running through it called a ribbon. The ribbon line contains more carbon and is extremely dense. Grey slate will fade to Black from UV exposure, which takes years to occur. Typical longevity is 30-60 years with ordinary care for the Grey Slate Quoit Boards.

Green Slate – Green Slate has a rich blue/green color. Mined in Vermont, green slate will not fade from UV exposure. It’s a hardy slate that has organic grains running through it containing spots of black. Green slate quoit boards could last over 100 years.

Purple Slate – A very dense and hard slate mined from Vermont. Purple Slate has a deep purple/burgundy color and occasionally contains green spots or marks in the slate. The Purple Slate contains more iron than the other slate colors which gives it strength and durability. It also will never fade due to UV exposure. Purple slate quoit boards could last over 100 years.

Red Slate – A rare and expensive slate with unique markings.  Organic grey and or green veins may run through the slate.  Red slate is exceptionally strong and desnse.  Red slate is used in many historic properties and is the rarest slate not always availble.

 

Proper care of Rubber Quoits:

Keep your rubber quoits indoors after play. Rubber in time will dry rot and become brittle due to the outdoor elements. You should not let them bake in the sun when not in use. Wash them off with hot water and soap on occasion to eliminate any build up of dirt that may negatively affect performance. Rubber quoits typically last 3-10 years depending on how often you play.

Proper care of Quoit Boards:

Cleaning – We recommend using hot water and dish soap along with a light scrub brush to clean off your quoit boards from time to time.  This will eliminate any beverage stains and or dirt buildup which could negatively effect the performance of the rubber quoits.  Do not use sealants to give your slate a unique look, this will only seal the texture that is there for the quoits to play correctly.

Storage – Slate quoit boards may be left outdoors all year long but we recommend bringing them in during the winter months. Tailgate quoit boards have a waterproof surface and can handle moderate rain, but must be stored indoors when finished playing.

Brass or Aluminum hubs?

Most people prefer aluminum to brass because aluminum is easier to see when it gets dark. Brass is a heavier metal and a little more expensive. There is no difference in competition play between the two hub options.

Do you ship Slate Quoit Boards?

We have been shipping slate quoit boards since 2004 with great success.  All shipments are insured.  We understand that the shipping costs for slate quoit boards is high, so we take extra measures to ensure a hassle free order by custom packaging each slate quoit board with high quality packaging materials.

Does the Quoit Factory make their Quoit products in the United States?

Yes!  The owner is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and takes pride in making this Pennsylvania game right here in the state it was founded.  We utilitze a large array of family operated businesess for our supplies.  We believe this business model to be most efficient and allows us to maintain our high quality standards.