 However the board is also propped up by 6 inch back board, thus raising the 20 inch board on a bit of an angle, and giving the washers a three-inch backboard to keep them in play.The boards are tied together by a thin white rope, and stretched out to 16 feet apart, using the rope for a straight line, as well as the proper length of field.Games are played to 21, 1 point for on the board, 3 for in the hole.