How to play "Nails"
If you've spent a lot of time in the NW or standing around campfires you may have come across the game "Nails," also known as Stump. If you haven't, it is a really fun and easy to play game that tests your skills with a hammer.
Here's what you need to play the Game of Nails
- A fairly straight cut section of tree stump that can be stood up to a height above your knees and below your waist. Typically two log sections stacked on top each other is just right.
- A hammer. (Need a hammer?)
- Nails (4-5 inches tall are best)
- Nails can come loose so make sure to wear safety glasses or eye protection.
- Some amount of light, so you can see the hammer.
The Object of the Game
Each person gets a nail. Lightly tap your nail into the stump so that it stands upright. When it's your turn, you try to hit your opponents nails into the stump. Your opponent is "finished" when their nail head is completely buried in the stump (completely, no amount of the nail can be above the wood). You win if your nail is the last nail standing.
The Rules of the Game of Nails
Each person gets one turn. After completing your turn the person next to you goes, and so on. The only way you get to attempt to hit your opponent's nail is by flipping the hammer a full 360 degree rotation and catching it (holding hammer handle, flipping it, and catching the hammer handle). There are three options for flipping the hammer.
- Flip the hammer once, and immediately get one hit at your opponents nail.
- Flip the hammer once under your leg, and immediately get 2 quick hits at your opponents nails
- Flip the hammer once behind your back, and immediately get 3 quick hits at your opponents nails
- IMPORTANT: You can't take time to aim or adjust your grip from how you caught the hammer. You must immediately and instinctively swing the hammer after catching it.
If while attempting to flip your hammer you don't catch it and drop it, you forfeit your turn for that round and the next person goes. This is the risk for advanced hammer flips.
If your nail gets buried by your opponent you get one opportunity to rebuttal and sink their nail. In the event that a rebuttal is successful and all nails are sunk, the game ends in a draw.
This game does require a hammer, and nails. So, please be safe if you give it a try. Keep this NW game alive, and have fun playing.