Axe throwing is a lot of fun, and it’s even better when you add a little friendly competition to the mix. Check out the following axe throwing games that are sure to make your visit to American Paintball Coliseum a fun and memorable experience.
Cricket 🏏
Number of Players: 2+
Objective: Hit each area of the target three times. The first to do so wins!
When playing Cricket, players usually need to hit the “0,” “1,” “3,” and “bullseye” spot. Each time you successfully hit an area, you can place a mark next to that area on the scoreboard. Once you’ve hit an area three times, you can cross it off. The winner is the player or team that crosses off all three areas first.
Zombies vs Humans 🧟♂️
Number of Players: 2+
Objective: Add players to your team by converting them into zombies or humans
This game has several variations, but the overall goal is the same. Players are divided up into teams of humans and zombies (in some variations, there is only one zombie at the beginning). Humans score positive points, while zombie throws deduct that number of points from the score. Each round, two players go head-to-head. When the number of points together results in a negative number, the zombie team can convert one human into a zombie. If humans come out ahead, they can “cure” a zombie. The game continues until humans save the world, or it’s overrun by zombies.
Around the World 🌎
Number of Players: 2+
Objective: Hit every area of the board in order — starting from the outside to the inside, and then returning to the outside again.
Take turns throwing the axe. Start by aiming for the “0.” Once you’ve successfully hit it, aim for the “1,” “3,” “5,” “3,” “1,” and the “0” again. If you miss, wait until your next turn and continue where you left off. The first to hit the final “0” wins!
21 🎯
Number of Players: 2+
Objective: Reach 21 points before your opponent
In order to win this game, you take turns throwing the axe at the target. Continue to tally your points until you reach 21 — but there’s a twist. In order to win, you must get exactly 21 points. That means, if your final throw gives you higher than 21 points, you’ll have to wait until your next turn to try again.
Blackjack ♠️
Number of players: 2+
Objective: Get the closest number of points to 21 without busting
Each team has 10 throws to reach 21 points. The most challenging part of the game is that if you go over 21 points, your team busts, and you’re out. This game also requires your axe to land completely in one scoring zone. If the blade is partially in two zones, you receive a zero. Even worse, if you drop your axe, you automatically lose four points.
Landmines 💣
Number of Players: 2+
Objective: Reach 50 points before your opponent
When playing landmines, players take turns throwing the axe at the board. Continue to tally your points, but beware of the landmines that pepper the board. Before the game begins, choose which numbers will be the landmines (teams usually pick multiples of 10, like 15, 25, 35, and 45). Then, every ten points, these landmines become “active,” and if you hit one, your team automatically loses 10 points. For example, if your team has 14 points, and you hit a 1, that means you receive 15 points, which is a landmine. This causes you to lose 10 points instantly, leaving you with a score of 5.
Cornhole 🌽
Number of Players: 2+
Objective: Reach 21 points first
Players take turns throwing the axe, one round at a time. In the first round, one player from Team A and one player from Team B each throws the axe. The lower score is subtracted from the higher score. The higher-scoring team is awarded the difference. The game continues until one team reaches 21 points.
Horse 🐴
Number of Players: 2+
Objective: Make your opponent spell “Horse” first
Much like the driveway basketball game, this version calls for teams to go head-to-head. The first player from each team throws the axe. The player with the lower score receives an “H.” The game continues until one team spells “Horse,” and is ultimately defeated. Mix things up by spelling different words or adding new rules to complicate things for each team.
There are countless variations to each game, and part of the fun is making it your own. We’re all about creativity here, so bring your friends and family out to American Paintball Coliseum to play your own version of one of these ultimate axe throwing games.
