Kubb
Kubb
Kubb (pronounced [kɵb] in Swedish or [kub] in Gutnish) is a lawn
game where the object is to knock over wooden blocks by throwing
wooden batons at them.[1] Kubb can be somewhat described as a
combination of bowling and horseshoes. Today's version originated on
the island of Gotland, Sweden.[citation needed].
Some rules vary from country to country and from region to region, but
the ultimate object of the game is to knock over the kubbs on the
opposing side, and then knock the "king" over, before the opponent
does. This, combined with the fact that there is a certain level of
2012 US National Championship in Eau Claire,
strategy that can be used by players, has led some players and kubb
WI
fans to nickname the game "Viking Chess." Games can last from five
minutes to well over an hour. The game can be played on a variety of surfaces such as grass, sand, concrete, snow, or
even ice.
History
Although it is often claimed that the game dates back to the Viking Age and has survived on Gotland, there doesn't
appear to be any firm evidence of this. The Föreningen Gutnisk Idrott ("Society of Gotland Games"), formed in
1912, does not list kubb as one of the traditional games from Gotland. On the Swedish island of Gotland, stories of
kubb being played date only from the early 20th century.
The game in its modern conception became popular in the 1990s when commercial kubb sets were first
manufactured. The key feature of the game (opposing teams throwing) is shared by the games kyykkä and bunnock,
both of which come from Karelia or neighbouring areas. The game has now gained international interest, and an
annual World Championship has been held since 1995 on Gotland. Large kubb tournaments are now located
throughout Europe and the U.S. Belgium alone held over 50 tournaments in 2012.
On December 13th, 2011, Eau Claire, Wisconsin declared itself to be The Kubb Capital of North America [2]. The
city has hosted the U.S. National Kubb Championship [3] since 2007, is home to Kubbnation Magazine, and to many
kubb clubs and kubb leagues. In addition, kubb sets are in the local schools, with some schools having kubb units in
physical education classes. There are also kubb clubs at some schools, including Eau Claire Memorial High School.
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Kubb
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Game pieces
There are twenty-three game pieces
used in kubb:[4]
• Ten Kubbs, rectangular wooden
blocks 15 cm tall and 7 cm square
on the end.
• One King, a larger wooden piece
30 cm tall and 9 cm square on the
end, sometimes adorned with a
crown design on the top.
• Six Batons, 30 cm long and 4.4 cm
in diameter.
• Four Field Marking Pins, to
designate the corners of the pitch
and two to mark the centerline.
A typical set
Setup
According to the U.S Championship Rules and World Championship Rules, kubb is played on a rectangular pitch 5
meters by 8 meters. Corner stakes are placed so that a rectangle is formed. The center stakes are placed in the middle
of the sidelines (long edges of the rectangle), which divides the pitch into two halves. No other markers are required
to demarcate the field's boundaries, although markings that do not interfere with game play are allowed (such as
chalk lines). The king is placed upright in the center of the pitch, and the kubbs are placed on the baselines (short
edges of the rectangle), five kubbs on each side equidistant from each other. Kubbs starting the game on the baseline
are referred to as base kubbs. The baseline should run through the center of the kubbs. For young children, the
8-meter pitch length can be shortened.
Rulesets
Two official tournament rulesets available for kubb are the World Championship Rules
Championship Rules [6]. Below are the minor differences between the two:
World Championship
[5]
and the US National
US Championship
Players only throw 1 baton, mandating teams of 6 or
more
Players only throw 2 batons, mandating teams of 3 or more
"Perfect Game" allowed
"Perfect Game" not allowed. If in the first 5 throws you hit 5 kubbs, you must forfeit your
last baton.
Play overview
Kubb is played between two teams, which may consist of only one person per team.
There are two phases for each team's turn:
1. Team A throws the six batons (called Kastpinne/Kastpinnar in Swedish) from their baseline, at their opponent's
lined-up kubbs (called Baseline kubbs). Throws must be under-handed, and the batons must spin end over end.
Throwing batons overhand, sideways or spinning them side-to-side (helicopter) is not allowed.
2. Kubbs that are successfully knocked down by Team A are then thrown by Team B onto Team A's half of the
pitch, and stood on end. These newly thrown kubbs are called field kubbs. Deciding where in the opponent's half
Kubb
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to throw the field kubbs is a very important part of the strategy. However, the key objective is to keep them close
to each other (as to be able to hit more than one with a single throw of the pinnar). The player that tosses the
kubbs is called the inkastare.
If a kubb is thrown out of play, i.e., outside the boundary markers or not beyond the middle line (Note: after being
raised, at least half of the kubb must be in the field of play to be considered in play), then one more attempt is given.
If this also goes out, the kubb becomes a "punishment kubb" and can be placed anywhere in the target half by the
opposing team as long as it is at least one baton length from a corner marker or the King. If a thrown kubb knocks
over an existing baseline or field kubb, then the field kubbs are raised at the location where they rest, and baseline
kubbs are raised at their original location.
Play then changes hands, and Team B throws the batons at Team A's kubbs, but must first knock down any standing
field kubbs. If a baseline kubb is knocked down before all remaining field kubbs, the baseline kubb is returned to its
upright position. (Field kubbs that right themselves due to the momentum of the impact are considered knocked
down. Also kubbs are considered knocked down if they end up tilting and relying on a game piece for support.)
Again, all kubbs that are knocked down are thrown back over onto the opposite half of the field and then stood.
If either team does not knock down all field kubbs before their turn is over, the kubb closest to the centerline now
represents the opposite team's baseline, and throwers may step up to that line to throw at their opponent's kubbs. This
rule applies only to throwing the batons at the opposite team's field and baseline kubbs; fallen kubbs are thrown from
the original baseline, as are attempts to knock over the king.
Play continues in this fashion until a team is able to knock down all kubbs on one side, from both the field and the
baseline. If that team still has batons left to throw, they now attempt to knock over the king. If a thrower successfully
topples the king, his team has won the game.
If at any time during the game the king is knocked down by a baton or kubb, the throwing team immediately loses
the game.
In tournaments, winners are typically determined by playing best out of three.
For informal play between players of widely differing abilities, such as an adult and a child, it is permissible to
shorten the length of the pitch. Another option is for both players to play on the same team and keep switching sides
during play.
Kubb form demonstration at the 2009 Peterson
Midwest Match
Kubb
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Tournaments
The Kubb World Championship[7] is held annually on the island of
Gotland, Sweden. The U.S. Championship is held annually in Eau
Claire, WI. The Australian Championships are held annually in
Breamlea, Victoria.
Tournaments in the U.S. have exploded since 2007, especially in the
Midwest. In 2012, the Midwest tournament list included Eau Claire,
WI; Minneapolis, MN; Rockford, IL; Decorah, IA; Appleton, WI; Des
Moines, IA; Dallas, WI; Madison, WI, and smaller tournaments in a
variety of small Minnesota towns. Lindsborg, KS and Atlanta, GA also
host tournaments. In 2013, the U.S. Midwest Championship was
created. The annual tournament will travel throughout the Midwest. It
will be located in Rockford, IL in 2013 and Decorah, IA in 2014.
Team Knockerheads participating in a kubb
tournament
Links to some of these tournaments in the United States include:
• U.S. National Kubb Championship [3] in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
• Fall Kubb Klassic [8] Tournament in Des Moines, IA
•
•
•
•
Madison Midsommar Kubb Tournament [9] held in June in Madison, Wisconsin.
Dallas, WI Oktoberfest Tournament [10] First Saturday in October. Only six-person team tournament in U.S.
Rockford Swedish Historical Society Tournament [11] held in May
Tournaments in Round Lake, Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Chicago, Illinois[12]
There are also numerous other tournaments throughout Europe (Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, The
Netherlands, Czech Republic, Italy and more). Most countries have their own national championship tournament.
Other kubb tournaments in Europe include:
• European Championship [13] in Berlin
• Spring tournament in Stockholm, Sweden [14] Kubbistan, tournament held annually since 2008, in Stockholm,
Sweden.
• Swedish National Championship
• Swiss Kubb Open [15] in Basel, Switzerland
• UK tournament [16] held every year near Bristol, England, representing European Kubb players.
• Belgian Championship [17] held annually in different locations in Flanders
• Dutch Championship [18] held annually in Nijeveen, The Netherlands
• Kubb Open Gneven - annually winter and summer tournaments in Gneven, Germany
• Italian Championship [19] in different location every year in Italy
Kubb
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External links
Magazines and forums
• Kubbnation [20], the magazine for the game of kubb (by Wisconsin Kubb)
• Ask Planet Kubb [21], a Q&A Web site for Kubb enthusiasts.
• Planet Kubb Pitch [22] is a kubb discussion board for the whole planet.
General information
•
•
•
•
•
•
Official U.S. National Championship Rules [6] at USAKubb.
Planet Kubb [23] is a feed aggregator combining Kubb information from around the web.
Planet Kubb Wiki [24] is a wiki with only Kubb related information.
Build Your Own Kubb Lawn Game Set [25]
German Wiki and Informationportal about Kubb Sport in Europa [26]
Wikingerschach (German) [27]
References
[1] A mini guide to Sweden (http:/ / www. guardian. co. uk/ travel/ 2008/ may/ 30/ sweden). The Guardian (Tim Dowling), 30 May 2008
[2] http:/ / volumeone. org/ news/ 1/ posts/ 2011/ 12/ 14/ 2826_Welcome_to_the_Kubb_Capitol_of_North_America
[3] http:/ / www. usakubb. org
[4] Kubb World Championship rules (http:/ / www. vmkubb. com/ rules/ english. pdf) at VMKubb
[5] http:/ / www. vmkubb. com. ext. levonline. com/ images/ english. pdf
[6] http:/ / www. usakubb. org/ resources/ US_National_Kubb_Championship_Rules_v3. 0. pdf
[7] World championship (http:/ / www. vmkubb. com/ about/ rules. asp)
[8] http:/ / www. desmoineskubb. com
[9] http:/ / www. madisonkubb. com
[10] http:/ / www. wisconsinkubb. com
[11] http:/ / www. swedishhistorical. org/ pages/ kubb
[12] www.midwestkubb.com (http:/ / www. midwestkubb. com)
[13] http:/ / www. kubb-em. npage. de
[14] http:/ / kubbistan. se/ index_eng. html
[15] http:/ / baselcitykubb. ch/ ?page_id=17
[16] http:/ / www. KubbUK. org
[17] http:/ / kubbspel. be
[18] http:/ / www. nkkubb. nl
[19] http:/ / www. italiankubb. org
[20] http:/ / www. wisconsinkubb. com/ kubbnation-magazine. php
[21] http:/ / ask. planetkubb. com/
[22] http:/ / pitch. planetkubb. com/
[23] http:/ / planetkubb. com/
[24] http:/ / wiki. planetkubb. com/ wiki/ Main_Page
[25] http:/ / builtbykids. com/ how-to-build-a-kubb-swedish-lawn-game-set/
[26] http:/ / kubbwiki. de
[27] http:/ / wikingerschach-kubb. de
Article Sources and Contributors
Article Sources and Contributors
Kubb Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=571040680 Contributors: 26point2, Acather96, Amy Crescenzo, Anamexis, Awiseman, Bendavis2, Billinghurst, Bilsonius,
BrianBambl, Bridgeplayer, CALR, CLW, Catherine de Burgh, Ccpoul, Celuici, Chris the speller, Cmdrjameson, Crobzub, Daniel Dunér, Davisrk, DeadlyAssassin, Dillon007, DivineDeeds, Doug
Bell, Dpmuk, Efdappsjohan, Erfa, Ewhizz, Ewjeen, Explicit, Fayenatic london, Filimen, Flyingidiot, Garrickvanburen, Gavin Wilson, Gene Nygaard, Glorified j, Gonzometro, Graham87,
Gregh86, Gurch, HannesP, Hap0, Harrisonbrown, Hreinsi, Ian.thomson, Iridescent, IronGargoyle, JWT, Jahugawugasuga, Jasonreina, Jeltz, Jhsounds, Jmvkrecords, Jodamiller, John of Reading,
Joozt16, Joshfeathers, Jsather4, Kat Har Fan, Kwamikagami, Kyykka tiedotus, Larcoal444, Liftarn, Loggx, Look2See1, Luigizanasi, Mais oui!, Manushand, MatthewVanitas, MattiasXXX,
MaxReg, McGeddon, Mic, Mike.lifeguard, Miracle Pen, Mk5384, Morwen, Muzzamo, Myleskelly, Noe, Nø, Ocdnctx, OpenFuture, Opentelemark, OrangeHat, PaLPiTaTioN, Percy Snoodle,
Peter Isotalo, Plrk, Psychonaut, Pucbaldwin, PurpleRain, RJASE1, Regebro, Reinyday, RolfSander, Rostradamous, Ryan032, Sbrockway, Serych, Sgengerolt, Silly rabbit, Skafin, Slarre, Snori,
Sonjaaa, StockholmSyndrome, Tachyon01, Taeggermont, Thegn, Thingles, Tkynerd, Tournament Of Knights, Transity, TreasuryTag, Trebordahc, United Worldwide, UtherSRG, Vbdrummer0,
Vegasraab, Virokubb, Wacko, Wilianz, Windharp, WoodyWerm, Xerxes minor, Yerpo, 338 anonymous edits
Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors
File:US National Kubb Championship.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:US_National_Kubb_Championship.jpg License: GNU Free Documentation License
Contributors: Joshfeathers
Image:KUBBSET.JPG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:KUBBSET.JPG License: Public Domain Contributors: Original uploader was OrangeHat at en.wikipedia
Image:Kubb Perfect Form.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Kubb_Perfect_Form.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Vegasraab
File:Kubb Drilling.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Kubb_Drilling.jpg License: GNU Free Documentation License Contributors: Joshfeathers
License
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