TallynightHow to keep score in Mölkky
In Mölkky, knock down one pin and you score the number on it. Knock down several and you score one point for each pin that falls. The first to reach exactly 50 wins. Go over and you drop back to 25, and miss three times in a row and you're out.
- Players
- 2 or more, alone or in teams
- Who wins
- The first to exactly 50
- Over 50
- Back to 25
- Three misses in a row
- You're out
What each throw scores
Throw the wooden mölkky at the 12 numbered pins, then count the pins lying flat on the ground.
| Pins knocked down | Points |
|---|---|
| One pin | The number on it, 1 to 12 |
| Two or more pins | 1 for each pin |
| No pins | 0, and it counts as a miss |
| A pin resting on another pin or on the mölkky | Not knocked down |
So the 12 on its own is worth more than eleven pins at once. After every throw, stand the fallen pins up where they landed, so the pins spread out as the game goes on.
Exactly 50, and the drop to 25
Add each throw to your total. You win by landing on exactly 50.
Go over 50 and your score drops to 25, and you carry on from there. So near the end you aim for the one pin you need. On 43, the 7 on its own wins. Hit the 9 instead and you reach 52, which sends you back to 25.
Misses and being out
A throw that knocks nothing down is a miss. Miss three times in a row and you're out of the game. A throw that scores, even 1 point, starts the count again. Mark each miss with a cross on the sheet so nobody loses track.
If everyone else is out before anyone reaches 50, the last player still in wins.
Setting up and taking turns
Stand the pins in a tight group: 1 and 2 at the front, then 3, 10 and 4, then 5, 11, 12 and 6, with 7, 9 and 8 at the back. Throw from a line 3 to 4 metres away. Official play uses 3.5 metres.
Players or teams take one throw each, in turn. In tournaments, two teams usually play a match of best of three games.
A scoring example
The end of a game for three players. Cleo missed on turn 8, so turn 9 is her second miss in a row.
| Turn | Ana | Ben | Cleo |
|---|---|---|---|
| After 8 turns | 38 | 44 | 30 |
| 9 | Two pins: 40 | The 9 alone: 53, back to 25 | Miss: 30 |
| 10 | Miss: 40 | Four pins: 29 | Third miss in a row: out |
| 11 | The 10 alone: 50 | ||
| Final | 50, wins | 29 | Out |
Ben was 6 short of 50, but the 9 took him past it and back to 25. Ana needed exactly 10, so she aimed for the 10 pin on its own.
Keep score for Mölkky in Tallynight
Mölkky isn't one of Tallynight's built-in games yet, but it takes a minute to set up. Choose Something else, then Running score, "Add points as they happen", with Highest winning. Turn on Play to a target and lower it to 50. Tap the star to add it to your favourites, then Start game.
Tap a player's total to type each throw. Tallynight doesn't know the drop to 25, so when a throw would take someone past 50, type the minus that puts them on 25 instead: from 44, that's −19. When someone misses three times in a row, open Change the game and tap Take out.
- Tap a total to type any throw, from 1 to 12
- A minus key to drop a player back to 25
- Take out a player after three misses, scores kept
- Offers to end the game when someone reaches 50
A Mölkky score sheet to print
Playing on paper tonight? Print a free Mölkky score sheet, or save it as a PDF.
Questions
How do you score Mölkky?
Knock down one pin and you score its number. Knock down two or more and you score one point for each. The first to reach exactly 50 wins.
What happens if you go over 50 in Mölkky?
Your score drops to 25 and you play on from there. You have to land on exactly 50 to win.
What happens if you miss three times in Mölkky?
Three misses in a row and you're out of the game. Knocking down any pin starts the count again.
Does a leaning pin count in Mölkky?
No. A pin counts only when it's lying flat. One resting on another pin or on the mölkky doesn't count.
How far do you throw from in Mölkky?
3 to 4 metres from the front of the pins. Official play uses 3.5 metres.
Who wins if everyone else is out in Mölkky?
The last player still in, even if they haven't reached 50.