Kubb is a Swedish game that has been around since the Viking era. Burly men used to take on this exciting endeavor for sport, testing their aim and ability with wooden stakes and blocks. We’re not in the Viking age anymore, but you can still enjoy the game of Kubb right in your backyard. But, how do you play the game?
If you’re interested in learning how to play the Kubb game, you’ve come to the right place! Read on to learn about everything you need to enjoy the fun, from the items you need to the rules you need to follow. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you can enjoy the Kubb game with all the people you know! There’s a bit to cover, so let’s get started.
Gather Your Game Supplies
First, you need to gather your game supplies. Once you have your people, divide them in half to create two teams. It doesn’t matter if they’re uneven – you can take turns throwing dowels and knocking down blocks later.
Now, you need a Kubb game kit to play in your yard. Here are a few of the best sets available on Amazon:
These sets have everything you need and are relatively affordable.
Most kits are easy to transport and come with a bag to pack everything inside. You can pick the package that best suits your taste and even make one yourself if you’re feeling crafty. Once you have your blocks, it’s time to set up the playing area.
Set Up the Playing Area
Now you’ll need to set up your playing area. For a Kubb game, you need a yard of a decent size. Traditionally, the activity happens on a rectangular pitch. The size is often about 16 ft. x 26 ft., but you can still play even if your yard is small. The kit should have four corner stakes, six dowels, ten Kubb blocks, and one king Kubb.
Place the corner stakes at the four corners of the field, marking the play space. Set up half of the Kubb blocks on each side, spaced evenly between the stakes. The area is split evenly with an A side and a B side. The king Kubb goes right in the center of the field, where an invisible line would divide the halves.
Know the Rules
Once you have your supplies and playing area, it’s time to go over the rules. These will determine how you play the game. With Kubb, there is one objective – knock over as many of the Kubb blocks as possible with the wooden dowels. Let’s talk about how players can proceed with this process.
Kubb gameplay proceeds as follows:
- Team B throws first, attempting to knock down as many blocks as they can one throw at a time
- Team A throws back the knocked over blocks, which become Team B’s field Kubb blocks
- Team B sets up the field Kubb blocks, which Team A has to knock over before they can attack the baseline
- Team B throws the knocked-over blocks back onto Team A’s field, tosses back dowels
- Team A chucks toppled blocks
- Team B sets up, and Team A throws back dowels
- Team B tosses toppled blocks, and so on
Once you finish, you’ll have a winning team! You can read more about the specific rules of the game at yardgames.com.
Kubb can happen between two people, or you can have twelve players facing off with six on each side. It’s an excellent activity for parties, whether you’re hosting a family gathering or having an exciting birthday party. Now that you know how to play, it’s time to see what you can do with a team.
Have a Good Time!
Now that you know all the rules, you can have fun with your friends and family. This Swedish game is one that generations of people have played. It might take a little while to acquaint yourself with the rules, but once you know them, you should have no trouble helping other people join in on the fun.
Kubb is an excellent way to test your skills. The more you practice, the better you’ll get. Anyone of any age can enjoy Kubb, from a toddler eager to get in on the fun to a grandma excited to test her throwing skills. You can play it on any terrain, from snow to sand and everything in between. Enjoy your time with this Swedish pastime!