Simple 4-step explanation of the game
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Kubb game explanation in 4 steps
Goal of Kubb
Kubb is a tactical block game where two parties compete against each other in a relaxed manner. It is also seen as a combination of bowling, pétanque and chess. What I like most is that you can play the game with kids while it stays a challenge for all parties.
Kubb game explanation in 4 steps
Before starting the game you need to set up the Kubb playing field which is 8 x 5 meter or 26 x 16 feet. Make sure the field is on a somewhat flat piece of land, this will make placing the Kubbs and King easier. Decide who starts first, you can come up with any rule who starts first (who petted a dog last) or you can follow the official World Cup Rules where a player of each team throw a stick (at the same time) at the King. The one who ends up closest to the king can start.
- Team 1 starts throwing. The goal is to knock over Team 2’s “line Kubbs” (on the back line) with the throwing sticks. When one of the teams knocks over at least 1 “line cub”, you can proceed with step 2.
- The opposite team (let’s call them “team 2” for now) throws the knocked down “line Kubb” into the field of team 1, this “line Kubb” is now a “field Kubb”. Team 2 must now knock over this “field Kubb” first before moving on to the “line Kubbs” on the back line of team 1.
Important note: When team 2 does not knock down the “field Kubbs”, team 1 may (in the next round) throw the throwing sticks from an imaginary line at the still upstanding “field Kubb”. This makes it much easier for this team to knock down the Kubbs. This process is repeated until all Kubbs in the opponent’s field have been knocked over in 1 turn. - The knocked over “field Kubbs” are thrown by team 1 into the field of team 2 on the next turn. These must now be knocked over by team 1 before the “line Kubbs” may be knocked over.
- When all Kubbs have been knocked over, the last step is to knock over the king where the “throwing sticks” (no matter how many field Kubbs still standing) need to be thrown from the back line. If this succeeds, the team wins!
Goal of Kubb
The goal of the game is to knock down the opponent’s wooden blocks (the “Kubbs”) with five wooden sticks (the “Throwing Sticks” or “Clubs”). The knocked-down Kubbs, after being knocked down, still have a role in the game, making winning more and more difficult. When all the opponent’s Kubbs have been knocked down, only the king is left waiting to be knocked down. If the King is knocked over, the win is made (but when the King is knocked over before all Kubbs have been knocked over, the team loses immediately).
Still not sure how to play Kubb? See the YouTube movie below where it is explained with video (which makes it easier to understand in most of the times).
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