Rules for Skins Curling

The Skins format differs from regular curling in that a marker is awarded for each end won, with the value for each end increasing as the game progresses. An end is won if the team with the hammer scores two or more points or the opposing team steals the end with at least one point. If neither of these occur the marker is carried over to the next end and the total value at stake grows. This results in a very exciting offensive style of play where every end is like the final end of the game with teams going all out to win.

  1. Games will be six or eight ends as agreed upon before the start of the game.
  2. A coin flip will determine the hammer and stone color. The team winning the coin flip can choose either:
    • (a) to throw first or second stone in the first end, or
    • (b) the rock color they wish to use
  3. In a skins game teams play to win the end, not to accumulate a total score. To win an end:
    • The team that has the hammer must score at least two points.
    • The team without the hammer must steal at least one point.
    If neither team wins the end, the end is blanked and the marker carries over until an end is won.
  4. To keep track of the end winners, hang a score marker (reverse side of the numbers) beside your color as if you scored 1 point. You didn't actually score one point, however you did win 1 end. After the game you will be paid your winnings based on which end numbers are listed beside your color.
  5. The hammer:
    • If a team wins the end, the hammer goes to the other team in the next end.
    • If no team wins the end, the hammer changes teams for the next end.
  6. If neither team wins the final end, then a draw to the button determines the winner of that end (i.e., Skips' Rocks).
  7. The four-rock Free Guard Zone rule applies, as do all other standard curling rules.

Example skins game payout:

For the first example, each player pays $10 for a total of $80 in the pot and play eight ends.


END End Value Payout $$     Per player $$
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Total:
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
 
 
$4
$4
$8
$8
$12
$12
$16
$16
$80
$1
$1
$2
$2
$3
$3
$4
$4
$20

For this example each player pays $15 for a total of $120 in the pot for a 6 end game.

END End Value Payout $$
11$8
22$16
32$16
43$24
53$24
64$32
Total $120

Sample Game

Sample game with eight ends and $10 per person.

End 1 - Team Yellow scores 3 points with the hammer to win the end, and earns the marker. The hammer now goes to Team Red.

End 2 - Team Yellow steals 2 points without the hammer to win the end, and earns the marker. The hammer stays with Team Red.

End 3 - Team Red scores 1 point with the hammer. This is considered a blank end. The marker is carried-over to the next end. The hammer switches to Team Yellow.

End 4 - Team Red steals 1 point to win the end, and earns the marker for end 4 as well as the marker carried forward from end 3. Team Yellow retains the hammer.

End 5 - Blanked end. The hammer switches to team Red. The marker is carried-forward to the next end.

End 6 - Team Red scores an 8 ender to win the end, and earns the marker for end 6 and also wins the marker carried forward from end 5. The hammer switches to Team Yellow.

End 7 - Team Red scores 3 points without the hammer and wins the end. They earn the marker for end 7. Team Yellow keeps the hammer.

End 8 - Team Yellow scores 2 points with the hammer and wins the end. Game over.

Final score:

  • Team Yellow: won ends 1, 2, 8 = $4 + $4 + $16 = $24 ($6 each)
  • Team Red: won ends 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 = $8 + $8 + $12 + $12 + $16 = $56 ($14 each)

Team Red netted $4 per person. Can they afford to buy drinks for their opponents?

Lynn Salmon <>{

Last update: January 13, 2012