Strategy

Kubb can be played casually in a park with friends, or at international competition level. Strategy becomes very important as the level of gameplay increases.

Kubbs

 * Throwing the kubbs in a manner in which they are all closer together increases the chances that one baton could topple multiple kubbs, or that a baton that misses its intended target may inadvertently topple a nearby kubb.
 * Many players throw kubbs using a "drilling" method, reducing the randomness of bouncing, and at some levels, the ability to bounce, or skip a certain way that is favorable.
 * Some players throw the kubbs in an area close to the centerline pin. Since kubbs are forced in bounds if they are half in/half out, this increases the chances that kubbs are bunched up closer together. Additionally, if a kubb were to take a bad bounce, there is a higher chance the kubb will go out of bounds, and the kubb tosser would have a second chance to throw the kubb in a more favorable position on the field.
 * It is possible to throw kubbs in a manner in which they start out of bounds, but then cut back in bounds. This is referred to as getting the Kubb in bounds The hard way

Batons

 * Batons thrown at field kubbs are generally thrown to line up with multiple targets. This increases the chances of hitting a kubb, or multiple kubbs.
 * Some players throw the baton with enough force as to knock the targeted kubb into other kubbs (especially when an advantage line is being used.)
 * Players may gauge the "facing" of a field kubb in order to predict how the baton and kubb will behave after impact in an attempt to send one or both into nearby targets.

Raising Field Kubbs

 * When defending the upfield, players will generally stand the kubbs to minimize "depth" in the kubb groups as well as maximize the distance between individual targets.
 * Players often work as a team to discuss which kubbs should be raised in what order, and on what end, with the intent of making the opposing team use the most batons possible to knock over the kubbs.

Punishment Kubb Placement

 * Defending teams sometimes place a punishment kubb one baton length behind the king. If the king is hit while attempting to hit the kubb behind it, the team hitting the king automatically loses


 * If the defending team is sure that the opposing team will use all 6 batons on a group of kubbs close to the centerline, they may place the kubb on the centerline, furthest from the main group of kubbs.


 * If the defending team is sure that the opposing team will be able to knock all the field kubbs over with under 6 batons, they may place the kubb on the baseline. Kubbs placed on the baseline in this manner are still field kubbs, and must be toppled before baseline kubbs (those starting on the baseline).

"Rescuing" or "Saving" Kubbs

 * In certain situations, players may attempt to 'rescue' a kubb that has an unfavorable position in the upfield, and is near the perimeter of the pitch. As stated in the U.S. National Championship Rules, a previously established field kubb that is knocked out of the playing area (out of bounds)allows the throwing team another opportunity to throw the kubb. Teams may decide to throw their kubb (Kubb A) at a previously established from an earlier round, kubb (Kubb B) with the intent that Kubb A impacts Kubb B, and both Kubb A & B end up out of bounds. This allows 1 more upfield attempt with Kubb A, and 2 more upfield attempts with Kubb B. This is a high risk move, as an errant throw could end up making more kubbs than what you started with being in unfavorable upfield positions. Oftentimes, punishment kubbs are rescued from the baseline to be rethrown.