How Mölkky scoring works
Mölkky has two scoring rules that trip up new players: several pins count only as many as fell, and you have to finish on exactly 50. Everything else follows from those two, plus one penalty for missing too often.
The pins and the throw
Twelve wooden pins numbered 1 to 12 start in a tight diamond about 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) from the throwing line, with the 1 and 2 at the front. Players take turns throwing the mölkky, the plain wooden throwing pin, at them from behind the line. Any throwing style is allowed.
One pin or several
Knock down exactly one pin and you score the number on it, so the 12 on its own is 12 points. Knock down two or more and you score the number of pins that fell, whatever is written on them: the 12 and the 11 together score 2. A pin only counts once it is lying on the ground; one resting on another pin or on the mölkky is still standing.
Stand them up where they fell
After every throw the fallen pins are stood up exactly where they landed, not back in the diamond. As the game goes on the pins spread out across the grass, which is what makes the late throws hard.
Exactly 50, and the drop to 25
The first player to reach exactly 50 wins, and the game ends there even if others have not thrown that round. Score more than you need and your total is set back to 25: a player on 45 who knocks down the 9 has 54, so they go back to 25. Near the end players aim for the one pin, or the one count of pins, that lands them on 50.
Three misses in a row
A throw that knocks down no pins is a miss. Three misses in a row and that player is out of the game. If everyone else is knocked out before anyone reaches 50, the last player standing wins. Any hit resets the count, even one that sends you over 50.
Teams
In team play each team throws once a round, and the team members take turns in a fixed order, so the throws rotate through the team. The team scores as one: one total, one run of misses, and out together.
Tournament rules
Tournaments under the International Mölkky Organization (IMO) rules add two things. A fault, such as stepping over the throwing line or throwing out of turn, counts as a miss, and a team on 37 or more that commits one also drops to 25 (the 37-point rule). And a team knocked out by three misses scores 0 for that game, while the team left standing is given 50. Tournament matches are usually best of three games.
House rules
The common backyard changes: going over 50 sends you back to 0 instead of 25, or the throw simply does not count; three misses send you back to 0 instead of out, or nothing happens at all; and kids play a shorter game to 25 or 30. Agree them before the first throw.
What Score All does with these rules
How a throw scores
Knock down exactly one pin and you score the number on it. Knock down two or more and you score how many fell, whatever their numbers: the 12 and the 3 together are worth 2. Tap that number on the pin pad as each throw lands, or Miss when nothing falls.
Exactly 50 wins
The first player to land on exactly 50 wins on the spot, even partway through a round, and the throws after it are not needed. Go over and you drop back to 25. Back to 0, a throw over that simply does not count, and a shorter game to 25 or 30 are all settings.
Three misses and out
A throw that knocks nothing down is a miss. Three in a row and that player is out, and when only one player is left standing they win, even short of 50. The standings show who is on two misses and who can finish with one throw. Rather keep everyone in? Three misses can send a player back to 0 instead, or do nothing at all.
One row per round
The sheet works like the paper one: a row per round, a column per player and the running total in every cell, with a note when someone goes over or goes out. Tap a round to fix a throw and every total after it is worked out again, including who is still in.
Teams and tournaments
Play with two to eight players each for themselves, two teams of two who take turns throwing, or two named teams of any size. Head-to-head and team games run in brackets, with the IMO tournament rules (the 37-point foul rule, and out means 0) as switches.
Mölkky scoring FAQ
What happens if you go over 50 in Mölkky?
Under the official rules your score drops back to 25 and you keep playing. Some houses send you back to 0, and some simply ignore the throw.
How do you score when several pins fall in Mölkky?
You score the number of pins that fell, not the numbers on them. Three pins down is 3 points, whichever three they are.
Do you have to get exactly 50 in Mölkky?
Yes. Only an exact 50 wins. Anything over drops you back to 25.
What is the 37-point rule in Mölkky?
A tournament rule: a team with 37 or more points that commits a fault, such as stepping over the line or throwing out of turn, drops to 25 as if it had gone over 50. The throw also counts as a miss.
Is there a free Mölkky score sheet app?
Yes. Score All keeps the Mölkky score sheet for free on any phone, with a live link and a TV display so everyone in the yard can see the standings.
Does the app handle going over 50 and three misses?
Yes. Tap the pins for each throw and the app drops a player who goes over back to 25, counts misses in a row and takes a player out at three. Both rules can be switched to your house version.
Can I fix a throw I entered wrong?
Yes. Tap the round on the sheet, change the throw, and every total after it is worked out again, including who is out.
Does it work for Finska and Scatter?
Yes. They are the same game sold under other names, with the same twelve numbered pins and the same race to exactly 50.