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Mölkky (Finnish pronunciation:[ˈmølkːy]) is aFinnish throwing game invented by Lahden Paikka company (formerly known as Tuoterengas) in 1996. It is reminiscent ofkyykkä, a centuries-old throwing game withKarelian roots. However, Mölkky does not require as much physical strength as kyykkä, and is more suitable for everyone regardless of age and condition. Success in Mölkky is based on a combination of chance and skill. Lahden Paikka has sold nearly 200,000 sets in Finland.
In 2016 Lahden Paikka sold all rights of Mölkky, games production and the trademark to Finnish company Tactic Games Oy.[1] The name Mölkky is a protected trademark.[2] All Mölkky games are manufactured in Pori, Finland.[3]
The set consists of a throwing pin, and 12 shorter wooden pins (also called "skittles") numbered from 1 to 12. The pins are initially placed in a tight group in an upright position 3–4 meters away from the throwing line, with the pins organized as follows: 1st row, 1/2; 2nd row, 3/10/4; 3rd row, 5/11/12/6; 4th row, 7/9/8. The players take turns to toss the throwing pin to try and knock over the numbered pins.
Knocking over one pin scores the number of points marked on the pin. Knocking 2 or more pins scores the number of pins knocked over (e.g., knocking over 3 pins scores 3 points). A pin does not count if it is leaning on the throwing pin or one of the numbered pins (it must be parallel to the ground to count).
After each throw, the pins are stood up again in the exact location where they landed. The first player to reach exactly 50 points wins the game. Scoring more than 50 will be penalized by setting the player's score back to 25 points. A player will be eliminated from the game if they miss all of the numbered pins three times in a row.
Mölkky players have started more than 250 Mölkky Associations. International Mölkky Organization is the umbrella organization for Mölkky associations. 26 countries are currently official members.[4]
The Finnish championships for mölkky have been organised inLahti since 1997 by the union of youth clubs in SouthernTavastia. The technology students inTampere organised world championships in academic Mölkky in 2001. The Finnish Mölkky Union has been formed to promote the game and its subculture.
The Mölkky World Championship in 2016 was the first Mölkky competition organised outside of Finland. The tournament was organized in Le Rheu, France.[5] In 2017, it was organized inPrague in the Czech Republic, 2018 inPori, Finland,[6] 2019 inSamoëns, France[7] and 2020 inHyvinkää, Finland. In 2024, the competition was held inHakodate,Japan.[8]
In Australia the game is known by the trade-marked name 'Finska' (Swedish for Finn or Finland). The company Planet Finska both sells sets of the game and promotes competitions in Australia. The company was established by two friends who were introduced to the game by a Finnish friend in 2009.[9] The first Australian Championships were held in 2010.
