How to Play Molkky

By Jaques of London · Est. 1795 · Updated 2026-08-17

Molkky is an outdoor throwing game for two to eight players in which participants take turns lobbing a wooden throwing pin at a cluster of numbered skittles. It is simple enough for children to join in, yet the scoring rule that resets your total on a third consecutive miss keeps adults genuinely on edge right to the last throw.

The game needs no special surface, sets up in under two minutes, and travels in a compact bag, which is why it has become a fixture at beaches, parks, campsites, and back gardens across Europe and beyond. Games typically run for twenty to forty minutes, making it an easy fit between meals or activities.

A little history

Molkky's origins are unclear in the deeper historical sense, though it is widely documented that the game was developed in Finland in 1996 and subsequently spread across Europe, becoming particularly popular in France where organised leagues and national competitions are well established. The name and the format are associated with Finnish outdoor game culture, and the game draws on older Scandinavian skittle-throwing traditions, though the precise lineage is not fully recorded.

Setting up

1. Stand the 12 numbered skittles upright in a tight cluster formation: front row pins 1 and 2, second row pins 3, 10, 4, and 5, third row pins 11, 6, and 12, back row pins 7, 9, 8 (the standard starting arrangement as specified in the official rules).
2. Mark or agree a throwing line approximately 3 to 4 metres from the front of the skittle cluster.
3. Decide the throwing order; a simple coin toss or youngest-goes-first works fine.
4. All players start on zero points.

How to play

1. Players take turns throwing the Molkky underarm from behind the throwing line, aiming at any part of the skittle cluster.
2. A skittle counts as knocked over only if it is lying flat on the ground after the throw. A skittle that leans against another skittle or the ground without lying flat is considered still standing.
3. If exactly one skittle is knocked over, the thrower scores the number printed on that skittle.
4. If two or more skittles are knocked over in a single throw, the thrower scores the total count of skittles knocked over (not their face values). For example, knocking over four skittles scores exactly 4 points.
5. After each throw, any skittles that were knocked over are stood back up in the exact spot where they came to rest, not returned to their original positions. The cluster naturally spreads out as the game progresses.
6. If a player's running total would exceed 50 points, that player's score is reset to 25 points and play continues from their next turn.
7. A player who misses all skittles three turns in a row is eliminated from the game.
8. Play continues with each player throwing once per round until a player reaches exactly 50 points.

Winning and scoring

The first player to reach a total of exactly 50 points wins the game immediately. If a throw would take a player's score above 50, their total is reduced to 25 instead, keeping them in the game. A player eliminated for three consecutive misses cannot win. In a multiplayer game where all remaining players are eliminated before anyone reaches 50, the player with the highest score at the point the last elimination occurs is the winner.

The fine points

The most common dispute is whether a leaning skittle counts as down. The standard ruling is unambiguous: it must be fully flat on the ground. If it is resting against another skittle, another object, or the ground at any angle, it is still standing and does not count. Similarly, a skittle that falls over without being struck by the Molkky (for example, because another falling skittle nudged it) does count as knocked over and contributes to the score or tally.

A second common dispute concerns where knocked skittles are replaced. They go back up where they landed, not where they started. Over several rounds this spreads the cluster considerably, which changes the tactical landscape. On the miss counter: three misses must be consecutive. If a player scores anything at all on a turn, even a single point, their miss counter resets to zero. A throw that results in a score reset to 25 still counts as a scoring throw and resets the miss counter.

How to win more often

• Early in the game, aim for the high-value single skittles (10, 11, 12) when they are accessible at the edge of the spread cluster rather than risking multi-skittle hits that only score the count.
• When you are close to 50, deliberately aim for a single isolated skittle whose value brings you exactly to 50 rather than taking a riskier throw that might push you over and reset you to 25.
• Pay attention to opponents' scores. If a rival is on 49, there is no tactical benefit in playing defensively, but knowing they need exactly one point tells you how likely they are to win on their next throw.
• Do not be greedy mid-game. A reliable three-point throw from a cluster of three is preferable to a wild attempt at a 12 that might scatter skittles and leave your opponent easy pickings.
• If you have been reset to 25 twice and opponents are in the 40s, prioritise staying alive by making safe, accurate throws rather than bold ones. Three consecutive misses end your game entirely.

Variations

Team Play

Divide players into two or more teams of equal size. Team members alternate throws, and a shared running total is kept for each team. The first team to reach exactly 50 wins. This format works well with larger groups and keeps everyone involved even when individual players are waiting to throw.

Reduced Target

For younger children or faster games, set the winning total at 25 rather than 50. The same rules for overshooting apply: going above 25 resets you to 12 or 13 (agree which before play begins). This version plays in around ten minutes and suits mixed-age groups where younger players might lose patience in a full-length game.

Extended Throwing Distance

Competitive and experienced players often move the throwing line back to 5 or even 6 metres to increase the challenge. Accuracy drops significantly at longer distances, which makes the miss-elimination rule bite harder and sharpens the premium on controlled technique over power.

No Elimination Rule

For family games with younger children, remove the three-consecutive-misses elimination entirely. All players stay in the game until someone reaches exactly 50. This keeps everyone involved and avoids the frustration of sitting out while others continue to play, though it can extend the overall playing time noticeably.

Molkky: frequently asked questions