Photo: BCD Jeux, partner shopOutdoor & pub games
Kubb
- players
- 2–12
- minutes
- 30
- years
- 6+
In the box
10 kubbs · 1 king · 6 throwing batons · 4 corner stakes
Box details
- Origin
- Traditional game, with no specific designer or publisher
- Mechanics
- DexterityTeam-Based
Where to buy it
Near you and online
In a shop
Within 50 km.
Online
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The basics
Knock over the opposing kubbs with throwing batons, then the king in the centre of the pitch. Throws are underarm, first at the baseline kubbs; those knocked down are thrown into the other half by the opponents, and these field kubbs must be knocked over before the baseline kubbs. The team that knocks over all the opposing kubbs then the king wins the game, but toppling the king too early loses, and a match is played to two games won.
The rules, step by step
Setup
8 × 5 m pitch, 5 kubbs on each baseline, King in centre, 6 batons
- A pitch 8 metres by 5, marked out by four corner stakes.
- Five kubbs lined up on each baseline, the king in the centre of the pitch.
- Six throwing batons, shared among the players of the same team.
How to play
Throw underarm, Field kubbs first
- The throwing team first aims at the opposing baseline kubbs, those on the back line.
- Knocked-down kubbs are picked up by the opponents and thrown into the other half: these are the field kubbs.
- On the next turn, the field kubbs must be knocked down before the baseline kubbs.
- Throws are underarm; the baton may rotate vertically, end over end, but never horizontally (no "helicopter" throws).
Scoring
No points, Games won
- No points per game: count the games won.
End of the game
Kubbs, then the king, King too early: lost, 2 games to win
- A team wins by knocking over all the opposing kubbs, then the king.
- Knocking over the king before the kubbs loses immediately.
- A match is played to two games won (best of three), sometimes three games won in tournaments.
House rules and pitfalls
A field kubb left standing moves the opponents' throwing line up to it: the deficit builds up quickly.
- A field kubb left standing moves the opponents' throwing line up to it: the deficit builds up quickly.
Going further
Variants · Frequently asked questions · In the same family
Variants
Format
Best of three
Best of five
choose them when you start a game: the scorer adapts
Frequently asked questions
What is the goal?
Knock over the kubbs (wooden blocks) in the opposing half with throwing batons, then topple the king in the centre last to win.
In what order do you knock down the pieces?
First the opposing field kubbs, then the baseline kubbs, and only then the king. Hitting the king too early loses the game on the spot.
What are knocked-down kubbs used for?
Those you knock over are thrown back into the opposing half and stood up: they become forward targets that the opponents must knock down before the baseline kubbs.
How do you throw the batons?
Underarm, vertically, without spinning them horizontally. Six batons per turn, to be shared within the team.
How do you win?
By knocking over all the opposing kubbs (field, then baseline), then the king, in that order. The first to topple the king at the right moment wins.