how to play

Finska Rules: Scoring, Pin Setup & the Bust Reset

Finska is a Finnish-style numbered-pin throwing game, and if it sounds a lot like Molkky, that is because it basically is the same game under a different brand. You toss a wooden throwing pin at a cluster of twelve numbered pins, scoring points by how many you knock down and which numbers they are, racing to land on exactly 50. Overshoot 50 and you crash back to 25, which is the twist that keeps the endgame tense. Here is how to set it up and score it, plus an honest word on how it stacks up against Molkky and Kubb.

2 to 12 (individuals or teams) PLAYERS AGES 6+ 5 min SETUP About 12 to 15 ft long lane
Gear check

What you need

  • Twelve numbered wooden pins (numbered 1 through 12)
  • One throwing pin (the same shape as the numbered pins)
  • A flat patch of grass, dirt, or gravel about 12 to 15 ft long
  • Two or more players (works great in teams)
  • A scorepad or your phone to track each player's running total
The playbook

How to play finska

  1. Set up the pinsStand the twelve numbered pins close together in the standard starting cluster at the throwing distance. Turn the numbers to face the throwers so everyone can plan their aim.
  2. Throw underhandFrom behind the throwing line, players take turns tossing the throwing pin underhand at the cluster. Each player gets one throw per turn. Overhand and sideways throws are not allowed.
  3. Score your throwKnock down exactly one pin and you score the number printed on that pin. Knock down two or more pins and you score the COUNT of pins that fell, not the sum of their numbers. A pin only counts if it is fully flat.
  4. Stand the pins back upAfter each throw, stand any knocked-down pins back up right where they came to rest, not back at the start. The pins spread out as the game goes on, which keeps changing the strategy.
  5. Race to exactly 50Keep rotating through players and adding up scores. The first player or team to land on exactly 50 points wins the game on the spot.
  6. Mind the reset and the missesGo over 50 on a throw and your score drops back down to 25. And if you miss every pin three turns in a row, you are eliminated.
Keeping score

Scoring

  • Knock down exactly one pin: score the number printed on that pin (the '12' pin is worth 12 points).
  • Knock down two or more pins: score the NUMBER of pins that fell, not the total of their numbers (3 pins down = 3 points).
  • A pin only scores if it is fully knocked flat; a leaning pin does not count.
  • First to reach exactly 50 points wins.
  • Score more than 50 on a throw and you reset back down to 25 points.
  • Miss every pin three turns in a row and you are eliminated.
Set it up right

Distance & setup

set it up rightPlayers throw from behind a line about 3 to 4 m (roughly 10 to 13 ft) from the pin cluster. Casual play does not fix one rigid distance, so set a comfortable line and have everyone throw from the same spot. The throwing line stays put even as the pins scatter farther out over the game.
House rules

Fun variations

  • Team play: split into teams and alternate throws between them. The first team to exactly 50 wins.
  • Shorter line for kids: move the throwing line in to 6 to 8 ft so younger players can reach the cluster.
  • Soften the reset: instead of dropping to 25 on an overshoot, some friendly games just void that throw.
  • Drop the elimination: skip the three-miss knockout rule for relaxed family games.
The rulebook desk

Finska rules FAQ

Is Finska the same as Molkky?

Functionally, yes. Finska is essentially the same Finnish numbered-pin throwing game as Molkky, with the same toss-to-exactly-50 scoring and the same reset-to-25 twist if you overshoot. The differences come down to brand, wood quality, and minor setup details. If you want a deeper side-by-side, see our Molkky vs Kubb vs Finska comparison.

How do you score in Finska?

Knock down a single pin and you score that pin's printed number. Knock down two or more pins and you score the count of pins that fell, not the sum of their numbers. So toppling three pins is worth 3 points no matter which numbers they were.

What happens if you go over 50 in Finska?

If a throw pushes your total past 50, your score resets all the way back to 25 and you keep playing from there. That overshoot reset is what makes the last few throws so nerve-wracking.

How far away do you throw in Finska?

You throw from behind a line about 3 to 4 m away (roughly 10 to 13 ft) from the pins. The line stays fixed for the whole game even as the pins scatter, and you can move it closer for kids.

What is the difference between Finska and Kubb?

Finska is a numbered-pin throwing game where you toss a single wooden pin and race to exactly 50 points. Kubb is a separate Viking-style game where you throw batons to topple wooden blocks and a king. They share a Nordic feel but play completely differently, so the two are not interchangeable.

What happens if you miss in Finska?

A miss scores zero for that turn. Under the standard rules, missing every pin three turns in a row eliminates you from the game. Casual family games usually drop that elimination rule.

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Ready to play?

Grab a set and start your league this weekend. We ranked the best finska sets for every budget.

See our top finska picks → Printable rules card