Tölkky

Tölkky is a Finnish outdoor throwing game played with wooden pins and a throwing pin. It uses twelve pins, each labeled with a unique number from 1 to 12, and a throwing pin called a tölkki. The aim is to reach exactly 50 points.

Equipment and setup: The game uses 12 numbered pins and a tölkki. Pins are stood upright on a flat surface such as grass or a hard court. They are kept in a cluster or line at a chosen distance from the throwing line.

Play: Players take turns throwing the tölkki from behind the throwing line to knock over pins. Any pins knocked down in a throw are removed from the playing area, and the numbers on those pins are added to the thrower’s score.

Scoring and end condition: Each player’s running score is the sum of the numbers on the pins they have knocked down across all throws. The objective is to reach exactly 50 points. If a throw would cause a player’s score to exceed 50, the player’s score is reset to zero and their turn ends. If all remaining pins are knocked down in a throw, the pins are re-set for the next throw, and play continues with the same player’s score.

Strategy and play style: Players balance attempting high-number pins with the risk of overshooting. Scorekeeping is typically done on paper, and the game can be played casually in yards, parks, or recreational facilities, as well as in organized clubs.

History: Tölkky was designed in Finland in 1996 by Heikki Kärkkäinen. Since its inception, it has gained popularity as a family and community outdoor game and is played internationally in various informal and competitive settings.