If you’ve spent any time at a Kiwi wedding, winery, or backyard BBQ lately, you’ve likely seen it: wooden blocks scattered across the grass, a central "King" wearing a crown, and a group of people engaged in what looks like a mix of bowling, horseshoes, and chess.

This is Kubb (pronounced koob). Often called "Viking Chess," it’s the breakout star of the New Zealand outdoor scene in 2026. While it’s easy to pick up, the strategic depth is what keeps people playing until the sun goes down.

To help you master the pitch, we’ve put together the definitive 2026 guide—combining our official Backyard Games rules with pro-tips and variations you won’t find on the box.

The Setup: Mapping the Battlefield

A regulation Kubb pitch is an $8\text{m} \times 5\text{m}$ rectangle.

• The Baseline: 5 Kubbs evenly spaced along each $5\text{m}$ end.

• The King: Stands tall in the dead center.

• The Boundaries: Marked by 4 corner stakes.

The Rules of Engagement: A Refresher

According to the Official Backyard Games NZ standards:

1. The Opening Toss: Both teams throw one baton toward the King. Closest wins the start. (Touch the King? You lose the toss!)

2. Phase One (The Attack): Toss your 6 batons from the baseline to knock down the opponent's Kubbs.

3. Phase Two (The Return): Any Kubbs you knock down are thrown back into your half by the opponent. These become Field Kubbs.

4. Phase Three (Clearing the Field): You must knock down all Field Kubbs on your side before you can aim for the baseline again.

The Golden Rule: All batons must be thrown underhand, end-over-end. No "helicopter" spins or side-arm tosses!

Pro-Tips & Hidden Strategies (The "Backyard Games" Edge)

To move from "Beginner" to "Viking Master," you need to understand the mechanics of the game that aren't always obvious:

1. Master the "Temporary Baseline"

If your opponent fails to knock down all the Field Kubbs on their side during their turn, you get a massive advantage. On your next turn, you can step up from your original baseline to a "Temporary Baseline" that runs through the Field Kubb closest to the King. This makes hitting their backline Kubbs much, much easier.

2. The "Penalty Placement" Sniper

If you are throwing a captured Kubb back into the field and it misses the pitch twice, your opponent gets to place that Kubb anywhere they like (as long as it’s one baton-length from the King or a corner).

• Pro Strategy: Place that penalty Kubb right behind the King! It makes it incredibly difficult for your opponent to knock it down without accidentally hitting the King and losing the game.

3. The "Stacking" Trick

When throwing multiple Kubbs back into the field, aim to hit your own Kubbs that are already lying there. If they touch, you can stack them into a tower. This allows you to knock down 2 or 3 Kubbs with a single baton, saving your remaining throws for the baseline.

2026 Variations: Mix Up Your Play

Once you’ve mastered the standard game, try these variations to keep the competition fresh:

• The "Mortal Kubb" (High Stakes): In the standard game, Field Kubbs stay in play. In this version, once a baseline Kubb is knocked down, it’s removed from the game entirely. This makes for a much faster, "sudden death" style of play.

• The "Resurrection King": Traditionally, knocking the King over early means an instant loss. In this "friendly" version, you simply lose your turn and the King is stood back up. Perfect for games with younger kids (or after a few drinks).

• The "Boundary Blitz": If a returned Field Kubb knocks a corner stake out of the ground, that Kubb is removed from the game as a penalty. It rewards precision over power.

Ready to claim your throne?
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