Let’s Play
Mölkky
How To Play
Set-up
The pins are placed in a formation. For the first game, the throwing order is drawn. In following games, the throwing order is formed according to the previous game results from lowest to highest score. A throwing line is drawn about 3-4 meters away from the pin formation. Players take turns in scorekeeping (see “Ending the game”).
Gameplay
The first player throws at the grouping and tries to knock over pins. Mölkky is always thrown underhand.
Fallen Pin: A pin is not considered fallen if it is leaning on another pin or on the Mölkky throwing skittle. After a throw, fallen pins are put upright at the place where they fell.
Scoring
If one pin falls, the score = the number on the pin. When more than one falls, the score = the number of fallen pins.
If a player misses (has no score) three times in a row, the player is out of the game and acts as the scorekeeper. The game ends when the first player reaches exactly 50 points. If one scores over 50, that player’s score is lowered to 25.
History
Throwing sticks at other sticks seems to be a game as old as time. The Game Mӧlkky continues this tradition. Its inspiration most likely came from an old Finnish Skittles game called Kyykkӓ. It was also known as Karelian Skittles. Jouko Pylvӓs and his colleagues are credited with creating the game in Finland in the late 80s. The Tuoterengas company, now known as Lahden Paikka, launched the game to the public in 1996. The game has only grown in popularity since its arrival on the yard game scene. Mӧlkky tournaments are now played throughout the United States and Europe.
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