Mölkky
Tournament

Mölkky is an outdoor game made up of 12 wooden pins (numbered 1 to 12) and one wooden throwing pin – the Mölkky. The aim of the game is to score exactly 50 points by knocking down pins with the Mölkky. Knocking down one pin scores the number of points marked on it; knocking down two or more pins scores the number of pins knocked down. At the start of the game, the pins stand close together, but each knocked-down pin is stood back up exactly where it landed — so as the game goes on, the pins scatter across the field. The first player to reach 50 points wins; anyone who fails to reach it loses.

How do we play Mölkky?

The 12 pins are set up on the playing field in a triangle shape, with one corner facing the launching zone. A volunteer sets them up for the first game; after that, the winner of the previous game sets up the next one, choosing both the distance from the launching zone and the order of the pins. That said, it's best not to place the high numbers (10, 11, 12) too close together.

The launching zone's position is agreed on and marked out. From inside it, players take turns knocking down the numbered pins. The order of play is random for the first game; after that, each game starts with the previous winner, followed by second place, third, and so on. The Mölkky must always be thrown underhand.

Knocking down one or more pins scores you points — but a pin only counts if it has fallen entirely to the ground. If it ends up resting on another pin, on the Mölkky, or on something natural like a tree stump or trunk, it doesn't count. If it rests against something artificial (a curb, a bench), it does count. Knock down 1 pin, and you score that pin's number (1–12); knock down several, and you score the number of pins you knocked down (2–12). The goal is to reach exactly 50 points as fast as possible.

Pins that fall are stood back up right where they landed, so they gradually scatter across the field as the game goes on — which actually makes it easier to pick off individual pins. A pin can be stood up anywhere along the edge where it touches the ground.

Missing every pin means you score nothing. Miss twice in a row and you've got «dikke stress» — because a third consecutive miss means your points get cut in half.

Score more than 50 points and your total gets halved too — but the points from that last throw are added first. For example: at 48 points, knocking down pin '6' gives you (48 + 6) / 2 = 54/2 = 27 points. Halved scores are always rounded down (so 55 points also leaves you with 27).

The first player to score exactly 50 points is the winner; everyone else keeps playing for the remaining rankings. The unlucky player who never reaches 50 is the loser — and may be handed a punishment like dishwashing or cooking duty. The winner collects the pins and sets up the next game.

Tournament specific rules

To add some difficulty and fun, Billy's may be placed on the field — longer, narrower pins with no numbers marked on them. Two or three Billy's can be used, where the third Billy is the Superbilly (marked with a cross). If a Billy is knocked down (and Billy's also have to touch the ground completely), your points are halved. If numbered pins go down on the same throw, they're added to your score before it's halved. For example, at a score of 28 points, knocking down 3 numbered pins and a Billy gives you (28 + 3) / 2 = 31/2 = 15 points.

Knock down the Superbilly and your score resets to 0, no matter what else you knocked down on that throw. Knocking down the Superbilly is best avoided at all costs.

Mölkky is a Finnish game

Mölkky is a Finnish game — a simplified version of the ancient game Kyykkä.

Mölkky can be played on different surfaces, and each one calls for different tactics. On sand, precision matters most; on grass, power and a bit of luck play a bigger role.

Mölkky is wonderfully inclusive: anyone can play, regardless of age, gender, background, or skill level. Only persons without arms are not allowed to participate (they are allowed to root for other players).

The Bosklappers-Mölkky rules were voted the best Mölkky game rules at the triennial international 'Bosklapper Mölkky weekend'.