what even is it?
Pure, unadulterated, Big Log Energy. One part slap-happy competition, and zero parts sobriety. A 1957 German import turned midwestern tradition for tailgates, Oktoberfests, and carnivals all around. A perfect “Hold my beer” kind of game.
That’s Hammerschlagen, read more about it here
HOW TO win
Sink the Nail: Drive your nail VERTICALLY into the wooden stump until its head is no longer visible and level with, or even below, the surface.
NAILS PLANTED SIDEWAYS WILL NOT COUNT – that’s not how hammering works.
Be the First: The first player to achieve this goal on their turn wins the round.
How to start
Choose a central person to reset the round.
A central person hammers one nail into the stump for each player, ensuring it is firmly set about an inch into the wood
Once all nails are set, the designated nail-setter may start by hitting their own nail or choose to take over another player’s nail
How to PLAY
One Nail Per Player: Each player starts with one of their own nails
One Swing Per Turn: You get one continuous swing at your nail each turn. This is holding the hammer vertically with the head in line with your shoulder taking one swing straight down to your nail.
Straighten a Bent Nail: If your nail is hit crooked by you, you MUST use your following turns to hit it on its side and straighten it vertically BEFORE PROCEEDING. If your nail is hit crooked by another opponent you can take one FREE turn to hit it sideways and try to straighten it out, BEFORE your designated turn. NAILS PLANTED SIDEWAYS WILL NOT COUNT, that’s not how hammering works.
Stay in Your Spot: Play continues in a circle around the log, with each player taking turns in a clockwise direction. IF YOU DO NOT USE HAMMERS REGULARLY YOU MUST USE THE BLUNT END OF THE HAMMER. IF USING A HAMMER IS SECOND-NATURE TO YOU, YOU MUST USE THE POINTY SIDE OF THE HAMMER. THIS IS NOT A FLEX, IT’S AN EQUALIZER.
How to score
Don’t forget to record your score to the leaderboard!
FIRST PLACE = 10 Points
SECOND PLACE = 7 Points
THIRD PLACE = 4 Points
ALL OTHER PLAYERS = One Point, remember, frequency counts
AT THE END OF THE GAME: Scan the QR code on the clipboard and follow the prompts when recording your score. You can also record you score here.