How to Play Hook and Ring Game & 5 Best Sets (Reviewed)
Hook & Ring or Ring on a String is such a simple game, yet one that can bring you hours of fun on long summer days. Attach it to the wall in your yard, and you can happily while away the time in the sun. Both kids and adults love it, as it’s easy to pick up and difficult to master.
Hook & Ring Toss is an old game that has been around for decades, and with good reason. It allows everyone to get involved, from the youngest kids to the oldest adults. You’ll see that as soon as the game is installed, it brings out everyone’s competitive side.
If you want something that everyone can enjoy, then now is the time to pick up your very own Hook & Ring set. This guide includes how to play the game as well as reviews of 5 of the best Hook & Ring sets that you can buy today. Why wait? It’s easy to get set up and start enjoying, so get yours now.
Pro Pick
Hammer Crown Hook and Ring Game
Best Overall
Tiki Toss Hook and Ring Game
Budget
Viva Sol Hook and Ring Target Game
How To Play Hook and Ring Game
So how do you play this game? It’s actually very simple. Everyone competes to get the ring on the hook, and the person who does this the most in a set amount of turns wins. There are two ways to do this. You can play ‘simple’ style, where the player must swing the hook on the ring to win a point. If you want to play the ‘tournament’ style, then you get a different amount of points depending on what happens:
- 1 point: The ring hits the hook once and makes a ‘ting’ sound
- 2 points: The ring hits the hook twice and makes two ‘ting’ sounds
- 5 points: The ring lands on the hook
The player who is first to score 21 points WINS.
Hook & Ring Equipment & Game Setup
It looks complicated to set one of these games up, but it really isn’t. When you buy your set, you’ll find that everything you need to set it up is included. There shouldn’t be any extra skills required to get up and ready for everyone to play with.
Pick the spot you want your game to sit. It needs to have a flat surface with a ceiling, so anywhere in a games room, or outdoors on a patio works really well. It’s up to you where you want it to be, so be creative.
Take everything out of the box, ensuring that everything has been included.
Attach the board to the wall you want to use it on, about 4' to 5' from the floor. Pick the height with the intended players in mind. For example, younger children will need the board to be lower.
Generally, all the hardware like mounting screws or adhesive tape would be provided along with the set you purchase. To start with, take the hook and screw it into the board, so you have the hook ready.
Now the board is in place. Next, you need to set up the ring. Screw the eye hook for it into the ceiling, about 4' to 5' away from the game board. Now, tie the string to the ring, and then tie the ring to the eye hook. Once you’ve done this, move the string around, to see if it can reach the hook and can be tossed onto it. If it can’t reach the hook, create more slack in the string until it’s long enough to reach. The ideal length is when the ring can sit on the hook while the string is held taut between the ceiling and wall.
Remember that your set will come with its own instructions, so make sure you consult it before you start working on setting up your game.
5 Best Hook & Ring Game Sets
- Hammer Crown Hook and Ring Game - Pro Pick
- Tiki Toss Hook and Ring Game - Best Overall
- Viva Sol Premium All-Wood Walnut Finish Hook and Ring Target Game - Budget Pick
- Tiki Toss Head 2 Head - Tabletop Variant
- GETMOVIN SPORTS Hook And Ring Swing DIY Kit - Bargain Pick
1. Hammer Crown Hook and Ring Game - Pro Pick
This hook and ring set is a great multifunctional game that everyone can enjoy. It’s designed with adults in mind, as it not only features the game, but a bottle opener built into it, too. This is a super helpful item to have, as when you’re outdoors grilling or just enjoying the sun, you don’t want to be looking for a bottle opener to get your beer open.
You don’t even need to worry about the bottle tops, either. When you open your beer, the built-in magnet will hold the top until you’re ready to take it and put it in the recycling. It’s an incredibly strong magnet, holding many bottle tops before you need to collect them. It saves finding bottle tops on the ground and helps you keep everything clean and tidy.
The game itself has everything you need for a fun game of hook and ring. Using steel and nylon in its construction, it’s going to be able to take anything when situated on your patio. Some customers say theirs have even withstood hurricane-level winds.
Top Features:
- Bottle cap magnet can hold up to 24 caps at once
- Inbuilt bottle opener makes opening bottles outside
- Durable construction can withstand the all-weather conditions
- Measures 17 x 3.25 x 0.75 inches
- Easy to install and play
Final Note:
This game has a handy bottle opener as well as high-quality materials, so you’ll be able to use it for both playing and opening your bottle for years to come.
2. Tiki Toss Hook and Ring Game - Best Overall
This board is one of the best out there, as it looks great and plays beautifully. The board resembles a surfboard, using a wooden base and a colorful stripe down the middle. It’s such a fun design that it’s bound to brighten up any area you place it in. It’s a great addition to your patio if you’re looking to create a surf vibe in your yard.
The board itself is made of bamboo, which is a highly sustainable wood. If you buy this game set, you’re doing your bit for the environment. It’s a good game for those who want to be more thoughtful about the items they purchase.
The game can be set up both indoors or outdoors, depending on your preference. It can certainly take the weather outside, even if you live in a particularly wet or cold area. If you want it in place for summer for you to enjoy during back yard parties, it’s going to be a hit.
Set up only takes 5 minutes, so you’ll be ready to start playing in no time. With full instructions, it really is easy to set up and get going with.
Top Features:
- 100% bamboo construction
- Fun surfboard design
- Easy to set up and play
- Works both indoors and outdoors
- Measures 14.5 x 6 x 1.2 inches
Final note:
The fun design of this hook and ring game makes it a must buy. It will look great anywhere, and offer you hours of fun.
3. Viva Sol Premium All-Wood Walnut Finish Hook and Ring Target Game - Budget Pick
Just because you’re buying a budget hook and ring game, doesn’t mean that you’re looking to get a less quality product. This game has everything you want in a hook and ring game and will stand the test of time, despite the low price.
You’ll see when you buy this game that you get everything you need when you buy this set. You’ll get the hook, ring, eye bolt, and string as you would expect. You’ll also get screws and adhesive pads for the game too. This gives you the choice of how you attach the game to the wall. It’s a good option for renters or those who don’t want to cause damage to the walls by drilling holes.
The game itself looks fantastic. It’s an all-wood design with a two-tone walnut finish. Thanks to that excellent design, you’ll be able to set the game up anywhere, and it will look totally at home. That includes anywhere indoors or out on your deck or patio if you so choose. Everything included with this set is high quality, including all the metal hardware and the double braided string. Everything is going to last a long time, no matter where you place it.
Top Features:
- Walnut finished wood for a great look
- Your choice of screws or adhesive pads for hanging
- High-quality materials
- Circular board measures 11.5 x 11.5 inches
- Easy to install
Final Note:
This hook and ring game is our budget pick, but it offers you as much fun as any other game on this list. It looks great too, so you’ll love the way it looks on your patio.
4. Tiki Toss Head 2 Head - Tabletop Variant
What if you don’t have anywhere to place a hook and ring game? If you don’t have a yard or patio, then this version of the game is just the thing for you. This tabletop variant comes in a handy box and has a wooden arm that you hand your ring from. With a hook at one end, you can challenge your friends to score as many points as possible.
The whole set comes in an attractive wooden box, made entirely from bamboo. Again, it’s a hook and ring game made from a sustainable wood, which is perfect for many homes. The game is set up in a matter of minutes, there’s no fiddling or difficult pieces to put together. Inside the box, the rules of the game are printed on the wood, so you’re never going to lose them. There’s also an abacus counter, so you can easily keep track of your score.
The joy of this version of hook and ring toss is that you’re not constrained to just one area to play it. You can take it anywhere. With the handy box, you can easily put it in a bag and take it to a friend’s house to challenge them.
Top Features:
- Highly transportable
- Easy to put together and start playing
- Made from 100% bamboo wood
- Score counters included in the box
- Excellent as a gift for any hook and ring fan
Final Note:
This tabletop version both looks great and plays well. As it sits in a neat box, it’s so easy to transport elsewhere, too.
5. GETMOVIN SPORTS Hook and Ring Swing DIY Kit - Bargain Pick
Looking for something that’s more minimalist, or can be customized to your needs? This set has what you need. You’ll see that unlike the other sets on this list, there is no board for you to hand on the wall. Instead, you’ll have a hook that screws directly into the wall itself. That’s great if you don’t want a whole board taking up real estate on the wall, and just want something simple. It’s also perfect if you’re looking to create your own board. You can buy all the pieces needed to make the set here, and just made a custom board that fits your tastes.
Everything included is of the highest possible quality. All the metal parts are stainless steel, and so will work well outdoors without rusting. The string is fully weather-resistant nylon, so no worries about fraying or breaking over time. Everything is designed to last for a long time to come.
Top Features:
- Can be set up in just five minutes
- Hard-wearing materials for outdoor use
- Simple design
- Can be placed anywhere you like
- Perfect for those wanting to create custom hook and ring games
Final Note:
This set is a bargain, as it strips back the hook and ring game to the basics. You can use it as it is, or change things up to make it well suited to your tastes.
Let’s Wrap Things Up
The game of Hook & Ring may be simple to play but can offer hours and hours of fun or frustration! But when it comes to picking the right set, it’s quite a straightforward process.
You’ll have seen at least one in our list that will suit your needs perfectly. Get one installed on your patio, and get ready for hours of fun this summer.
Here are some other games worth considering:
