Roots

Mölkky (Finnish pronunciation: (mølkky), also known as Finska, is a Finnish throwing game invented by Lahden Paikka company in 1996. It is reminiscent of kyykkä, a centuries-old throwing game with Karelian roots. However, Mölkky does not require as much physical strength as kyykkä, and is more suitable for everyone regardless of age and condition. Mölkky requires no special equipment and success is based on a combination of chance and skill. Lahden Paikka has sold nearly 200,000 sets in Finland.

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Rules & Regulations

Objective

The objective of Mölkky is to hit the wooden pins (skittles) with the throwing pin, to gain points on each toss, thereby outscoring the opponents by reaching 50 points first.  

The Court

The "court" should preferably be an open, relatively flat area of mowed grass, pine needles, sand, or even gravel.  The court should be a minimum of 20 feet in length, and no less than 10 feet in width. There are no markings on the surface other than the toss line.

Pins

The 12 skittles are wooden dowels 2" in width, each approximately 6" in height, and angled at the top at 45 degrees. Each skittle is numbered 1-12 and is worth its respective number if felled alone.

Throwing Device - The "Throwing Pin"

The "Throwing Pin" is a wooden dowel 2" in width, and approximately 9" in length.

Tossing the Throwing Pin

The throwing pin may be tossed in any fashion, underhand, sidearm, or overhand. There are no restrictions on each toss other than

foot-faults.

Teams

Each "team" is composed of one player, with a maximum of six teams in a match. Teams alternate tossing the throwing pin at the pins.

The Coin Toss

Teams determine who tosses first with a coin toss (or rock, paper, scissors) before play starts.

Games & Matches

Each game is played to exactly 50 points. After each game, the pins are re-set. The losing teams go first in the next game, in reverse order of point placement.

Pin set-up and replacement

At the start of each game, the skittles are set-up as shown above, touching each other. After the first toss, each skittle is reset where they land at their longest point. This reset continues throughout each game until one team wins the game.

The "Toss Line"

Once the skittles are set-up before the first game, a "toss line" is marked (or a stick can be used) on the surface, four paces (approximately 3-4 meters) from the skittles. This line remains stationary throughout each game.

Foot Faults

During the "toss" at the skittles from behind the toss line, if any portion of the front foot crosses the "toss line," a foot fault is called and that player loses his turn and no points are scored for that toss.

The Start and Play

Each game starts with the player (determined by a coin toss) from Team A tossing the throwing pin at the skittles. Team B then tosses, then C, then D, etc., until each team has tossed. This sequence continues until one team wins the game. 

Scoring on "The Break"

On the first toss at the skittles (termed "The Break"), the player receives one point for every pin knocked down, unless only one pin is knocked down, in which case the player receives the number of points on that pin.

Scoring after "The Break"

Except on the first toss, scoring is based on how many skittles are knocked down with the throwing pin. If, for example, skittle #4 and #6 are knocked down by one toss, that player would receive two points. The only time you count the number of points on a felled pin is when only one is knocked down. The winning player must score exactly 50 points to win a game. If a player goes over 50 points, they must "go back" to 25 points in that game and continue from there. Players may toss the throwing pin at any of the skittles, and all pins that are knocked down count for points (one point per skittle if two or more are felled).

Calling combinations

Players may, at any time before their turn, call any combination of skittles (e.g. 8 & 10). If said player knocks down just that combination, they receive the total of those pins. If the player fails to make the combination they receive no points and are credited with one strike.

Elimination

Players failing to hit any pin (a strike) on their turn three times in a row are automatically eliminated from the game (strikeout).

Referees

Mölkky has no referees. Each match is refereed by all players. Trust is #1. Sportsmanship is understood.

Fouls

Player steps over the toss line when throwing the striker: Loss of turn and no points are scored

Player tosses out of turn: Loss of turn and no points are scored

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