Rules for the Game of Kubb

The Size of the Playing Field
The usual size of the Field or Pitch is 16’5" X 26’3" (5 X 8 meters). It can be reduced to 19’8" X 13’2" ( 6 X 4 meters) or increased to 26’3" X 32’10" (8 X 10 meters) according to the size, age and ability of the players. For play between adults and teens 14 or older, the width of the Field on the older teen’s opponent’s side can be shortened making it easier for the teen to hit the Kubbs and moving the King closer to the teen’s line is also permissible. The pitch should be flat and can be grass, sand, dirt or gravel and snow.

Pieces of the Game
A Set of Kubb consists of 21 game pieces: 10 Kubbs, 6 Throwing Sticks, 1 King, 4 Corner Marker Stakes
Corner Markers: Sticks used to delineate Pitch area. Players must stand between the Corner Markers when throwing. Baseline either end of the Field (or Pitch). The Corner Marker Stakes are driven into the ground at the corners of the Pitch. These are the only markers used. At the beginning level, string may be used to more clearly show the boundary lines.	Throwing Stick or Baton: Piece used to throw at the opposing team’s Kubbs. It must be held at one end, thrown underarm, end over end. The Baton or Throwing Stick should never be thrown horizontally.
Kubbs: Field Kubbs: Kubbs that have been toppled and then thrown over to the side of the team that knocked them down. Base Kubbs: Kubbs lined up on each team’s Base Line.	King: The tallest Kubb which is placed in the center of the pitch between the Baselines.

Terms Used in the Game:

A match is the best of 3 sets.

Pitch also called Field the area where the game is played.

To Choose the Starting Team
One player from each team stands behind the same Baseline, each throws a Throwing Stick at the King. The team whose Throwing Stick lands closest to the King without touching it starts the game.

The Game Begins
Team A stands behind their own Baseline and throws six Throwing Sticks at the opposing team’s Base Kubbs trying to knock over as many as possible.

After Team A has thrown all of its Throwing Sticks, Team B has a turn. But first they have to pick up the Kubbs knocked over by Team A. Then, standing behind their own Baseline, throw underarm the toppled Kubbs into Team A’s side of the Pitch (the area between the King and Team A’s Baseline and between the Corner Markers.)

They have 2 tries. If any Kubb lands outside of Team A’s area twice, Team A may then place that Kubb anywhere on their side of the Pitch but no closer than one length of a Throwing Stick from the King or a Corner Marker.

Team A then stands the Kubbs up which were thrown to their side by Team B wherever they landed. These are now known as Field Kubbs.

It is now Team B’s turn to throw their Throwing Sticks. However, they must first knock over any Field Kubbs on Team A’s side of the Pitch before they can try for Team A’s Base Kubbs. (If Team A has been unsuccessful in knocking over any of Team B’s Kubbs so there are no Field Kubbs set up, then Team B will attack Team A’s Base Kubbs in their first round.)

After Team B has thrown all of its Throwing Sticks, Team A then must throw back to Team B’s side, any toppled Kubbs, which become Field Kubbs as described above, and then tries to knock them over with their Throwing Sticks before attacking Team B’s Base Kubbs. (Try to knock over the Field Kubbs closest to the middle line between each side of the pitch first so the opposing team will not have the advantage of making them their baseline when up next.)

However, if, for instance, Team B did not knock over all of the Field Kubbs on Team A’s side, Team A, in turn, may stand on an imagined parallel line with the Field Kubb closest to the King which becomes their Baseline when throwing their Throwing Sticks. (This gives a big advantage since the distance to the opponent’s Kubbs is now shorter.)

The game continues with each team taking a turn until one team knocks over all of the Field and Baseline Kubbs on the opposing Team’s side of the Pitch. The King may then be the target with any remaining Throwing Sticks. The thrower must stand behind the Baseline when attacking the King and only one Throwing Stick can be thrown in the attempt to knock down the King. If that team knocks over the King, that team wins. If unsuccessful in knocking down the King, the opposing team continues play.

Rules for Special Situations:
A Throwing Stick may knock over more than one Kubb.

A Kubb which has been knocked over but then rights itself is to be considered down. It is also considered down if it lands against another Kubb or Throwing Stick.

If any Base Kubb has been knocked over before the last Field Kubb is down, it should be stood upright again without penalty.

The King may be attacked only after both teams have had one round of throwing their Throwing Sticks.

If a player or a team knocks over the King before toppling all of the opposing Team’s Kubbs, that player or team loses the game immediately.

A Variation:
If more than one Field Kubb is to be thrown, try to throw the next Kubb at the raised Kubb. Each Field Kubb that hits the raised Field Kubb is to be put on top to make a "Tower". There are no limits to the number of Kubbs that can make up the "Tower." Towers are desirable as easier targets.

For a printer frendly version of Kubb Game rules click here.