Kubb -- A Fun Family Lawn Game!
Posted: Friday, May 22, 2009
by Jami Wright
Kubb is fast becoming an addictive game in the United States and is already a must have in many other countries for family lawn fun games. The Vikings played Kubb over a thousand years ago some say with blocks of wood and others with bones of their victims. We know all to well that history has it gruesome demons but the word kubb comes from a word meaning block of wood so it is safe to say the bone theory is just that a theory. You can use this game at family reunions, work parties, or just back yard barbecues. This game allows for 2-12 players at a time.
Set Up:
With most outdoor games there is a playing field that needs to be set up, in Kubb it is usually a rectangle 8X5m area. Use the stakes that come with your Kubb kit to mark out the playing field. You have one king and each team gets five Kubbs. The king is placed on the playing field and the team places their five Kubbs across the back line of either side (these lines of Kubbs are known as the base line).
How to Play:
Starting team stands behind their kubb (base) line and throws the six throwing sticks at the opposing team's kubbs. The goal is to knock as many down as possible without knocking over the king.
First, the second team takes the kubbs that were knocked over by first team (if any) and throws them onto the first team's playing field (area between the king and their base (kubb) line. These kubbs are stood up and become what is known as field kubbs. When team two takes their turn with the six throwing sticks they must first knock over the field kubbs before attacking team one's base line kubbs. Team one takes their turn by throwing over the knocked over kubbs. If any of the field kubbs are left in play team one can use this as their base line to throw the throwing sticks at the opposing teams base line kubbs.
Game play continues like this until one of the teams successfully knocks over the opposing teams base and field kubbs. They may then attack the king from behind their base line only with whatever throwing sticks remain.
The game is called by the best of three sets. Each team will get one round before the king is attacked. If somehow a team knocks all base line kubbs down on first turn with the five throwing sticks they cannot play the sixth. The tower rule states that if you throw a knocked over kubb to the other team's playing field and it hits another field Kubb these will now become a tower (one on top of the other). There is no limit to the height of the tower.
So now you know how to play Kubb, you are going to discover this is a great game for working out aggression and works extremely well for family reunions and work parties. Nothing screams team building like throwing sticks to knock down wood and eventually strategically capture the king. You can purchase the kit online or even make one yourself. Happy Kubbing!
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Great article. Well done.I had never heard of Kubb before - thanks for the new info.
Hi Jami, I have never heard of this game before. Thanks for sharing and explaining the game. You did a great job and it sounds like fun. Blessings to you! Teresa
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