Kubb Lawn Game Rules

Where does Kubb originate from?

Kubb is a Scandinavian outdoor game which is thought to have originated over 1000 years ago. Legend has it that the Vikings used to played for hours on end during the light evenings during the summer months. Kubb is also often referred to as Viking Chess and is a popular garden game with families allowing everyone to join in with the fun and games.


What is the aim of Kubb?

The purpose of the game is to knock over the King. This can be attempted only when you have knocked down all of your opponent's 'Guard Kubbs' using the throwing Batons. But beware, knock over the King before all of the Guards and you have lost the game!

What are the dimensions for Kubb?

The official measurements of a Kubb Arena should be 8m x 5m, however this can be reduced for an easier game or if space is more limited. The court is a rectangular area but can be scaled down to suit you.

The above diagram shows how to set up a Kubb pitch. Firstly corner stakes are placed so that a rectangle is created. The lines which are at the narrower end of the court are known in the game as baselines. The imaginary line which is in the middle of the pitch is often referred to as the middle line. The King is then placed on the middle line in the centre of the pitch. The 10 Kubbs are placed along the baselines, 5 being placed at each end.
The kubbs placed on the baseline are called Baseline Kubbs. During play Kubbs are thrown into the middle of the pitch and are stood up where they land. The Kubbs are then known as Field Kubbs.

How many people can play Kubb?

Kubb is played one team against another. Teams can be made up of any amount of people but a good number in each team is 1 or 2 players. The amount of people on each team does not need to be the same amount of players. For informal play, it doesn't really matter but a maximum of 6 players can be in a team.

How to play Kubb

Kubb is a very simple game to understand and play and it is certainly a game of great skill and strategy. Below is a simple guide on how to play this game and a simple explanation on how to play.
Firstly set up the pitch as described in the instructions which are available to download above. Once a decision has been made on who will go first the game can begin. Team A then throw the 6 batons from behind the baseline at the opposition's kubbs which are at the opposite end of the pitch.

Once all of the batons have been thrown the opposing team (Team B) has to gather up any kubbs that have been knocked down. This team then needs to throw them back to team A's side of the field. If they are thrown back into play they are called field kubbs. Any kubbs which land outside of the area or not passing the centre line can be re-thrown by team B. If then the kubb still lands in the wrong place Team A can then place it any chosen spot on the pitch but is must be at least one baton away from the king kubb.

The game then continues with play being alternated between the two teams until one team's entire baseline kubbs have been knocked down. The winner of the game is the team who knocks down all the kubbs in their opponents half of the pitch and on the baseline and then knocks over the king. But if a team knocks down the king prior to knocking down all of the kubbs that team immediately will lose the game.

What are the rules of Kubb?

The rules of Kubb can be quite complex but they are really quite simple. Kubb rules can be adapted to suit both the players and the space available. Our full instructions and rules can be viewed downloaded by clicking on the image below.
    Below are a few rules below which need to be followed during play.
  • Batons must be thrown underarm and straight on (not spun) - they must be held at one end. A Baton may knock over more than one Kubb at a time.
  • If a Kubb topples but does not fall over completely, it can remain standing.
  • If one Kubb falls so that it is resting on another Kubb or a throwing stick, it is deemed to have been knocked over.
  • Baseline Kubbs knocked down whilst Field Kubbs are still standing can be stood up again.
  • Any Kubb which lands on top of another Kubb when it is thrown back into the Arena must be stood on top of the other Kubb to form a tower.
  • Any Kubbs which have been knocked down must be thrown from your own baseline.
  • Kubbs may be spun in any direction.
  • You can only attempt to knock down the King from your Baseline, not from the line level with a Field Kubb. If you knock down the King when Kubbs remain standing you lose the game.
  • The King can only be attacked once both teams have had one complete turn