Democratic Dad Blog

Learning How to Play the Game of Viking Kubb

I had never heard of the game Viking Kubb until last weekend. I went to visit an old college friend and a group of us went to her neighborhood park to play Kubb. I felt like a fish out of water, because everyone knew how to play except for me. The rules of the game can vary from country to country or from region to region. However, the game we were playing was from the original version. The basic definition of a Kubb game is a lawn game where the objective is to knock over wooden blocks by throwing wooden sticks. As you throw the wooden sticks, your ultimate goal is to knock over your opponent’s king before your opponent knocks over your king. Many explain this game as a combination of bowling and horseshoes, which can be played on any, surface such as; concrete, grass, sand or ice.

Viking Kubb originated on the island of Gotland, Sweden. The game dates back to the Viking ages. However, some historians are searching for definite proof that the game played today is the same game played during the Viking ages. Not only are they looking for evidence of the game, they are also looking for information that validates that the rules used today are identical to the rules used in the original game.

While the definition of the game seems straightforward, the original Viking Kubb game has a wide range of different versions. Many have nicknamed this game “Viking Chess.” Like chess, there is a certain level of strategy involved by the different team of players. However, unlike chess you play in teams. While the ultimate goal is to knock over the King, there are other objectives to the game. Each team must reach their objective before knocking over their opponent’s king. If a team member knocks over your opponent’s king, before you reach your objectives you will automatically lose the game. Believe it or not many of these games have been known to last for hours.

Most Viking Kubb set is made out of the following woods; ash, oak, hardwoods or walnut and maple. Each set contains ten Kubb rectangular wooden blocks, one king large wooden piece, six wooden sticks, four stakes. Serious Kubb players will usually custom order a set to their liking.