Game rules : Kubb

The essential rules of each game, available offline.

Nicknamed Viking chess, kubb is won by knocking down the opponent blocks then the king.

Overview

Kubb is a Scandinavian game of skill played between two teams on a rectangular pitch. Each side defends a line of wooden blocks, the kubbs, with a king standing in the centre. You throw batons to knock down the opponent kubbs first, then the king to finish.

It is nicknamed Viking chess because it blends throwing skill with placement tactics. Accessible and sociable, it plays in the garden, on the beach or on grass, solo or in teams. A game runs over one or more rounds.

Origin and history

Kubb as we know it comes from Sweden, and more precisely from the island of Gotland, where it became popular in the late 20th century. Its Viking imagery and the Viking chess nickname are mostly marketing: there is no evidence that the Vikings actually played it.

The game spread across northern Europe and then to France in the 2000s. A world championship is held every year on Gotland, which helped fix a widely used set of rules, even if local variants still exist.

Goal

Knock down all the opponent’s kubbs then the king to win the round.

Equipment

Ten kubbs (wooden blocks) spread across the two baselines.
A king, a larger block placed at the centre of the pitch.
Six throwing batons (kastpinnar).
Four corner stakes to mark out a pitch of about 5 by 8 metres.

How a game unfolds

Mark out the pitch and place five baseline kubbs on each end line, the king in the centre.
The starting team throws its six batons to knock down the opponent baseline kubbs.
Knocked-down kubbs are thrown by the opponent into the opposite half, then stood up: these are the field kubbs, to be knocked down first on the next turn.
A team may only aim at the opponent baseline kubbs once all field kubbs are down.
When all opponent kubbs are down, the team may aim at the king.
Knocking down the king ends and wins the round, provided all kubbs were knocked down first.

How to score

Kubb is an elimination game: no running points, you count the rounds won by each team.

Scoring in detail

Kubb is not scored in cumulative points: it is an elimination game, you win rounds.
A round is won by the team that knocks down the king after clearing all opponent kubbs.
Knocking the king down before clearing all opponent kubbs loses the round immediately.
A game is played as a single round, or best of three or five rounds as you decide.

Kubb is not scored in points, but the order of the targets is strict. Here is the mandatory sequence of a turn, from the first throw to the last.

Example: the order of a turn
Step	Allowed target
1	Opponent field kubbs (thrown in on the previous turn)
2	Opponent baseline kubbs
3	The king, only if everything else is down

Aiming at the king or a baseline kubb before all field kubbs are down voids the throw. Hitting the king too early loses the round on the spot.

Winning

The first team to win the chosen number of rounds wins the game.

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Fouls and special cases

Throwing the batons other than vertically (no helicopter spin) is a fault in most rule sets.
Aiming at the king or baseline kubbs before clearing the field kubbs voids the throw.
Knocking the king down by accident before the end loses the round.

Tips to play well

Throw the batons end over end, spinning vertically: it is more accurate and it is the only grip most rule sets allow.
Do not waste your batons: aim for a group to knock down several lined-up kubbs with one throw.
When you throw the field kubbs into the opponent half, bunch them together: it makes their next turn harder.
Save a baton or two for the king only when you are sure everything else is down.

A bit of strategy

Throwing in the field kubbs is a tactical weapon: placed well, they force the opponent to spend batons before they can even aim at your baseline kubbs.
From the field-kubb line (which is closer), you may step up to throw: use it to aim at the baseline kubbs with more precision.
Only aim for the king when it is mathematically safe: missing and leaving a kubb standing hands the turn to the opponent.

Variants

You play one against one, or in teams of two to six players sharing the six batons.
The format is free: a single round for a quick game, best of three or five for a real rematch.
Some tournament variants limit playing time or set a fixed throwing distance.

Key points

Throw the batons to knock down the opponent’s kubbs.
The central king falls last, never before.
Play a single round or best of 3 or 5.

Frequently asked questions

How do you win at kubb?

You must first knock down all of the opponent kubbs (field kubbs then baseline kubbs), then the central king. Knocking the king down before clearing all kubbs loses the round.

Is kubb scored in points?

No, kubb is an elimination game: you do not accumulate points. You count rounds won, and the game is played as a single round or best of three or five.

Why is kubb called Viking chess?

Because it blends throwing skill with placement strategy, like a game of chess. The Viking name and imagery are mostly commercial, but the nickname has stuck.

How many players for kubb?

Kubb plays from two players (one against one) to twelve (two teams of six). Each team shares the six throwing batons on every turn.

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