USA Kubb

I randomly stumbled upon this when I was looking for a Bocce Ball set for an upcoming BBQ. Thanks to Amazon's "Customers who viewed this item also viewed" section, I saw this Kubb set and, because I had never heard of it before, decided to click to see what it was. The reviews were great, the game seemed intriguing, and after reading that it originated from the Vikings who played it with skulls and femurs (not sure if this is actually true), I decided we simply NEEDED this. Bocce Ball what?This was an absolute hit at our BBQ and 3 years later, it's still our favorite lawn game. I can't believe it took me so long to hear about it!The rules seem confusing, but the game really isn't hard to play. So how does it work?1. Take the 4 red pegs and create the playing area by constructing a rectangular field with 1 peg in each of 4 corners. I'm sure there are regulations about the distance, but we just do what works best in our lawn.2. Divide into 2 teams (can play with teams of 1, or teams of whatever number you want!) and line up across from one another on opposite sides of the playing fields.3. Put the large "King" wooden block in the very center of the playing field.4. Split the 10 wooden blocks in half, giving 5 to each team. Each team should stand their 5 blocks up in row, in front of where they are standing, and in between the 2 red pegs.5. Decide which team should start. That team should take all 6 of the wooden batons, dividing them up among all the players on that team. All 6 batons should be thrown, one at a time, aiming to knock down the wooden blocks at the far end of the field (the blocks that are lined up in front of the opposite team).6. Once the team has finished their turn (having tossed all 6 batons), the opposite team should collect all of the blocks (if any) that were just knocked down. The opposite team should throw the knocked blocks towards the team that just finished. They should land in between the center King block and the line of blocks standing on the other side, and inside the red pegs. If the block fall outside the playing zone, it should be thrown again. When it finally lands in the appropriate spot, it should be stood up. The newly tossed bloc(s)s now form a line of defense for the team that just completed their turn. It means that the other team (the team that just tossed the knocked blocks back over) has to knock down these new blocks BEFORE they can work on knocking over the 5 original blocks lined up at the back. When the new block is knocked down, it is removed from the playing field.For example: The first team knocks over 1 block during their first turn. The knocked block is tossed back to their side by the opposite team. The playing field now shows team 1 with 4 blocks to knock down. Team 2 has 6 blocks to now down, and they must knock down the 6th block before they can knock down the original 5.There is some strategy to the way the second team throws over the knocked block. If they toss the block close to the center king, it means that the new block isn't as far away. It might be easier to knock over if it is closer to them. However, the rules state that if the team does NOT knock down one of the new blocks, then when the other team takes their next turn, they can step up to the new block and complete their throws from there. So if you toss the new block near the King and miss, the other team can advance the field and take their turn from there. It might actually be better to toss the new block closer to the back line. This way, if you miss, the other team does not get the advantage to move much closer for their turn.Note: if when trying to knock over the new block, you accidentally hit over one of the old blocks from the original line, it just doesn't count. There is no penalty, it just counts as a missed hit. You stand the original block back up.'Continuing with the example: Team 2 takes their turn and does not knock over the 6th block. Team 1 gets to advance to the location of block 6 and throw from there. Team 1 takes their second turn, and knocks nothing down. Team 2 goes and knocks down block 6. Block 6 is removed. Now Team 1 still has 4 blocks to knock down and Team 2 has 5.7. Keep alternating turns, allowing one team to throw all 6 batons at a time, until 1 team has knocked down all of the blocks on their opposing side.8. The King block must then be knocked over for the win! For knocking over this, the team must throw from the original line, no matter how far into the field they were able to advance throughout the game.This is seriously so fun. It's addicting! It's hard, but you get the hang of it. You won't be disappointed.Some reviewers have noted that this is not "regulation" Kubb. That's fine with me. I wouldn't know any different. I think the wood feels "real" and quite honestly, I wouldn't want anything much heavier because it hurts if you accidentally get hit with one of the flying batons.I guess my only complaint is that the mesh carrying case isn't the best. It ripped almost immediately.

We had a great time playing this during our Hobbit party last year. We'd only played it once before but thought it would be a good lawn game for the party and purchased this set. It took a round of the game for all the participants to get the hang of the game but once they had everyone loved it and the kids couldn't wait to get right back out and play again after the feast. We play occasionally and all of the pieces are holding up well. I am happy I chose this set.

This game is your typical yard game of throwing things accurately, but with slightly more layered rules. Works great for larger groups because you could play 6v6. This set comes with a convenient mesh bag for carrying that doesn't take up any unnecessary space. Pieces for this game are basic, but these are sturdy and have held up fine over a season of play so far.

I had never heard about this game until I played it at a friends house. A rather fun outdoor game that once I played it I looked online to try to find a set of my own.I'm fairly happy with this set but I was expecting slightly higher quality. The wood dents fairly easily (though not a big deal), and you will likely want to find an alternate method of storing it (an old hockey skate box worked pretty well for us).It's a fun game that seems different enough from other lawn games, allows for conversation, and is pretty easy going. You will need to be semi-mobile but there really isn't any running around.

My husband wanted this after he saw some other guys at a nearby campsite playing it. He did note that this seemed smaller than what the other guys were playing but he obviously cannot be sure.I haven't played yet but at the last BBQ we went to, everyone played this game and nothing else so it appears to be a HUGE hit. It's also nice b/c you can play a bunch of people so it's more inclusive

This game is fantastic! It is our new favorite outdoor game! And this set is holding up well. It is dirty, and dinged up, but you expect that from an outdoor game. Especially when you are throwing sticks at other blocks of wood.The wood is pretty soft, it doesn't seem to be hardwood. But we are happy! It has taken some bearings for two summers now, and still holds up well.

Since purchasing this set we have started becoming big Kubb fans. The king is very nice but overall it's a set I could have made myself. The rules are a little off from how I've seen the game played in person and on YouTube. If your looking for a yard game that is good for team battle and to deploy a bit of strategy then you should give Kubb a try.

These pieces are made from light wood that is easily dinged and dented. The dowels/rods are almost too light to knock over kubbs at the opposing line without being very forcefully thrown (which means they also fly far when they miss). The carrying case is also a simple mesh bag that is not cubed away at all, so the blocks and the rods and the pegs do not stand up properly or stay in any semblance of order; and because the bag is mesh the corners of the blocks and pointed ends of the pegs get easily caught. On the plus side, the price is cheap, and it does technically work. It's just that if you are looking to use it more than twice a year or to hold up for multiple years, spend the money on a better set.