Ring Toss The Ring Toss is a game played by aristocrats and minions in every country and culture. From pitching horseshoes to pitching baseballs, the idea of throwing something and hitting something by any means possible is very
Winners are happy people and happy people spend & give more money.
appealing to people, especially if other people are watching. For these reasons, Ring Toss is one of my all time favorite event games to play during the silent auction. With the need for little skill and coordination all manner of people play this game again and again while bidding. The game can be played to win wine or empty wine bottles can represent other prizes like stuffed animals, gourmet oils, bath salts and art. The prizes do not have to be expensive. In fact winners can even choose any prize or any bottle of wine as they win. How To This game has the simplest of setups. Simply stand bottles and/or prizes on a flat surface in a pattern similar to the “milk bottle” game found in fair and carnival arcades. Place the prizes close together. The size of the ring can range from be 4 to 8 inches in diameter. The player buys 3 chances for $5, $10, $25 or each throw can be priced separately. A throwing line is established 6 – 8 feet from the display. The player stands behind the throw line and tosses the rings at the display hoping to encircle a prize. The goal is to make Ring Toss so easy nearly every player wins at least one prize. The excitement will attract new players.
Start collecting beverage bottles now. Ask every one you know for a bottle of wine, beer or liquor.
The Process and Procedure 1. Choose 2 Volunteers to create this game in advance and manage it during the auction. 2. Select prizes and assign a unique inventory number to each prize. Place a sticker on the prize or bottom of wine bottle for writing in the winning bid number. 3. Design and create a sign naming the game and sponsor. 4. Print 4 Game Sheets for recording ticket sales and attach 2 sheets to separate clipboards. 5. Provide at least 20 rings for tossing. If using embossed silicone bracelets, consider giving one to each player as a keepsake. 6. Create the Ring Toss display using risers and/or use tables at the venue day of event. Drape a table for displaying prizes that correspond with a bottle. 7. Create a throw line by placing a 4 foot piece of tape on the floor 6 to 8 feet from display 8. Create a sign listing prizes and the prize’s corresponding inventory number. 9. Place a small table near the game for sign, rings, clip board and pen. 10. After prize has been one, record player’s bid number and amount on game form.
11. Take winning prize out of display, mark with winners bid number. Turn bottle upside down in box with bottom label showing. 12. Move sold prizes to item checkout area.
The stickers and tags on the bottles and objects and the tally sheet represents uncollected cash. This may be the only reference for recording the transactions, collecting the money and reconciling post auction. These numbers must be transferred to a tally sheet. The best place to write the bid numbers of people who win during this game is next to their bid number when they buy their chance to play. The winner’s number also needs to be written on the items inventory sticker. It is important to write legibly in felt tip pen so the bid number is easy to read when winners are checking out. Once the numbers have been entered from the tally sheet write the words “Ring Toss Entered� and place the tally sheet in the reconciliation tray. Do not put the forms in an envelope and seal the envelope, ever.
With or without sponsors this game is a lot of fun. The game can be more thrilling by keeping one or more expensive bottles of wine, liquor, beer and prizes in play at all times. Display prizes next to the game enticing people to buy more rings and to keep playing. The Ring Toss creates recognition and advertising for not only wineries but any business. Ring Toss can be stocked and sponsored by one winery or many or played with a variety of wines collected over time by volunteers and donors. It is a simple game that requires little effort, almost no explanation and minimal supplies and setup time.
Auction Powerhouse Tip: Do not sell or give away any of the unsold wines during the auction. If a mixup occurs, the remaining wines may hold the key to solving the mystery and soothing a disgruntled buyer. Auction Powerhouse Tip: I prefer to set the prizes up in a tiered fashion with the wine labels facing forward. This arrangement gives more recognition to the winery and allows the player to target the wines they want.
Auction Powerhouse Tip: Consider letting the winner choose any bottle of wine after they ring a bottle. Auction Powerhouse Tip: If interest is slow adjust the price or number of rings a player gets. If the game opened with 3 chances for $10, increase the game to 6 chances for $10. Auction Powerhouse Tip: Have the auctioneer or master of ceremonies announce the game and call the plays from time to time. Auction Powerhouse Tip: Repeat the sponsors name and refer to the sponsor as part of the game: “Redwood Creek Ring Toss $10 for 5 chances to win 5 bottles of Redwood Creek Merlot, Pino Grigio, Chardonay, Syrah�. Auction Powerhouse Tip: Create a display using wood crates and posters from wineries featured in the game. Auction Powerhouse Tip: If you have hundreds of bottles of wine and lots of floor space consider creating a ring toss circle with multiple play stations. This setup requires several volunteers to manage.
Auction Powerhouse Tip: Invite employees from the sponsoring winery to dress in logo apparel and manage the game. Offer case price discounts and specials to players. Auction Powerhouse Tip: All players can be invited to attend a special wine tour by the sponsoring winery. Auction Powerhouse Tip: Give a bottle of wine equal to the ticket price to every player.
Wine Ring Toss Record Bid number
Attending volunteer: ____________ Amount
Wine
Place stanchion to create a throw line.
Set a draped table at the side of the Ring Toss game for placing pens and tally sheet and drinks.
Frenchman Hills Winery owner, Norm Myrick provides premium wines at discount prices for nonprofit organizations. A wine tasting can become part of the ring toss excitement.
Include other prizes. Note the vases, wood art, bubble bath and olive oil. She is throwing glowing necklaces and a 6 foot throw line. Mad House Wines provided the standup display and 2 cases of good wine. The cardboard housewife was used as part of a live auction package later. Notice the cheerful volunteer encouraging the player.
Redwood Creek Winery donated 4 cases of wine to this ring toss game. These popular posters were given away as prizes. This game included the prizes shown here.
Place a piece of tape on the floor for a throw line. A 6 foot throw line means that more players will win and more winners create more excitement.
This volunteer is aggressively seeking players for the game. She is prepared and ready to go.
Guests of all ages love to play the Ring Toss game. Notice how other guests watch and cheer this player to a win. This volunteer has put her supplies on a black wood folding TV tray. TV trays are a simple and lightweight solution for displaying items. They can be draped and placed on top of a table to display quilts, artwork, clothing and other objects. Use a covered TV stand to hold a printer. Use next to podium to display the Bidder Recognition and Bidder Incentive Gifts. Place in front of the One Bid Board to hold extra pens and for guests to place their drink while they bid.
This player won twice! Notice the smaller bracelet size rings. The smaller the ring the more difficult it is to win. I suggest using larger rings. Notice that each of the bottles has a label affixed to the front with the inventory or item number. The winner’s bid number is written on this label and then set aside and sent to checkout for later pickup. Instead, place labels on the bottom of the bottle. The bottle is then turned upside down in the cardboard box the wines were transported in. It is more efficient to scan the bottom of the bottle looking for the winning bidder’s number than lifting each bottle one by one out of a box.
April Brown is an 18 year veteran auctioneer and specializes in fundraising auctions. She is also the founder and Director of Whisker City, a feline rescue organization located in Shoreline, Washington. Brown also hosts April Brown’s Charity Auction World, the only internet television show designed to showcase the world of charity auctions. She is the author of Money is Marvelous and The Foundation - Secrets to A Successful Charity Auction. April has a long history of dramatically increasing revenue for charities with a goal of $30,000 to $500,000 and higher. The Auction Powerhouse Training Method has helped thousands of volunteer and professional fundraisers attract new donors, develop profitable demographic and put together memorable auctions. Brown’s innovative strategies and concepts are used by auctioneers, development officers and volunteers throughout North America. She is a skilled auctioneer and combines her passion for business and love for charity by training others to do great things. April’s clients include private and public schools, hospital foundations and guilds, business and community service organizations and individuals