14 Axe Throwing Games That Make Your Session Way More Fun

You book an hour of axe throwing. Everyone takes their ten throws, tallies the score, and then looks at each other: "So... do we just do that again?" Standard scoring is fine for learning, but it runs out of steam fast, especially with groups. The good news: dozens of games exist that use the same targets and axes but play completely differently. Some are competitive. Some are cooperative. Some involve strategy. A few involve drinking, if your venue has a bar.

Here are 14 games that work at any venue with a standard WATL or IATF target, organized from simplest to most complex.

The Quick Ones (5-10 Minutes)

1. HORSE

Borrowed from basketball. Two players (or teams) throw in the same round. Lower scorer gets a letter: H, then O, then R, S, E. First to spell HORSE loses. Ties go to a tiebreaker throw -- if still tied, nobody gets a letter. Simple, fast, and brutal when someone starts rattling off bullseyes. Works with 2-6 players.

2. Blackjack (21)

Goal: hit exactly 21 points across your throws. Take three throws per turn, adding your score each time. Go over 21 and you bust -- your score resets to 13 (some groups play reset to zero for higher stakes). First to land on exactly 21 wins. The strategy: when you are sitting at 18, do you aim for a 3-ring or try to stick a safe 1 and come back next turn? Blackjack adds a risk-reward layer that straight scoring lacks.

3. Cornhole Scoring

Only one player scores per round, and they score the difference between the two throws. You throw a 5, your opponent throws a 3, you score 2 points. This cancellation format keeps games close regardless of skill gap -- a beginner and an experienced thrower can have a competitive match because high scores cancel each other. First to 21 wins.

The Party Games (Good for Groups of 4+)

4. Tic-Tac-Toe

Tape a tic-tac-toe grid over the target (or use a whiteboard next to the lane). Two teams alternate throws. Where your axe lands determines which square you claim. First to three in a row wins. The catch: you need enough accuracy to aim for specific sections of the target, which turns a simple game into a genuine test of precision. Most venues can set this up on request -- ask your coach.

5. Around the World

Hit every scoring zone in sequence: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, bullseye, then back down 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. You do not advance until you hit the current zone. First player or team to complete the full circuit wins. This game exposes one-trick throwers -- if you can only hit the bullseye but struggle with the outer rings, Around the World will humble you.

6. Bucket List

Each player needs to hit every ring value (1 through 5) and the bullseye three times each. Track hits on a whiteboard. First to complete all 18 marks wins. This sounds easier than it is -- hitting the 1-ring intentionally, rather than as a miss, requires targeting the far edges of the board. Bucket List rewards consistency over any one big throw.

7. Survivor (Humans vs. Zombies)

Everyone starts as a Human except one "Patient Zero" Zombie. Each round, Humans throw against Zombies in head-to-head matchups. If a Human loses, they become a Zombie -- the Zombie team grows each round. If Humans accumulate enough combined points (typically +15 per group size), Humans win. If Zombies hit their negative threshold, Zombies win. The team-shifting mechanic creates chaos and alliances. Works best with 8+ players.

The Strategy Games

8. Cricket

Adapted from darts. Players must "close out" each number from 15 through 20 and the bullseye by hitting each zone three times. Bullseyes count as two marks, killshots count as three. Once both teams close a number, it is dead. Score points on closed numbers your opponent has not closed yet. Win by closing all numbers with the highest total. Cricket rewards precision and forces you to aim at specific zones you might normally ignore.

9. Landmines

First team to 50 points. Before the game, each team secretly places "landmines" at point thresholds (every 10 points: 15, 25, 35, 45). If a team hits a landmine, they lose 10 points. Each mine can only detonate once. The strategy: picking mine locations requires guessing your opponent's scoring patterns, and scoring requires balancing aggression (big throws) against caution (avoiding mines). One of the more cerebral axe throwing games.

The Team Games

10. Bullseye Relay

Teams of 3-6. Each member must hit a bullseye before the team can advance to the next thrower. First team to have every member hit a bullseye wins. The pressure is real -- your entire team is watching, and the clock is running. This game creates some of the loudest celebrations in any axe throwing venue. It also reveals who on your team has been quietly practicing.

11. Round Robin Tournament

Set up a bracket (single or double elimination) and run 1v1 matches of 5 throws each. Best total wins the match. Double elimination gives everyone a second chance. For groups of 8-16, a full bracket takes about 30-40 minutes and creates a natural progression from casual warm-up to intense finals. Many venues will help you set this up -- ask your coach for a bracket sheet.

The Advanced Challenges

12. Progressive Distance

Start at the standard throwing line (12 feet). After each successful stick (axe stays in the board), move back one foot. Miss and you are eliminated. Last thrower still sticking at the farthest distance wins. By 16-17 feet, the rotation mechanics change and you need significantly more power. This is not a game for first-timers, but it is fantastic for competitive groups or league warmups.

13. Trick Shot Throwdown

Players attempt throws with escalating difficulty: opposite hand, no-spin throw, underhand, between the legs, spin-before-throw. A panel of judges (your friends) scores each attempt on both difficulty and accuracy. The thrower who attempts the hardest trick and lands it wins. This works best after the group has warmed up and has basic technique down. Not every venue allows every trick throw -- check with your coach first. Safety always overrides creativity.

14. Speed Round

Set a 60 or 90-second timer. Throw as many axes as possible, scoring each one. Highest total in the time limit wins. Requires the venue to have multiple axes available per lane (most do). Speed Round strips away the relaxed pace of normal throwing and turns it into pure adrenaline. Your form deteriorates, your scoring drops, and it becomes a test of how well you can throw under pressure. Great as a final-round tiebreaker in a longer tournament.

Drinking Game Variations

If your venue has a bar, groups naturally layer drink-based penalties into any of the games above. The most common:

• Drink on miss: Miss the target entirely (axe does not stick) = take a sip. Simple, universal, and self-correcting -- the worse you throw, the more you drink, which makes you throw worse.
• HORSE with drinks: Each letter = a sip. Losing (spelling HORSE) = finish your drink or buy the next round.
• Blackjack bust penalty: Go over 21 = take a drink on top of the score reset. Double punishment keeps players conservative.
• Ring-based: Hit the 1-ring = opponent takes a sip. Bullseye = opponent finishes their drink.

A word on safety: most venues with liquor licenses cap consumption at 2-3 drinks per session during active throwing, and coaches monitor the lanes. Drinking games should stay light -- nobody should be impaired while throwing sharp objects. See our safety guide for more on venue safety protocols.

Digital Games at Modern Venues

A growing number of venues use digital projection systems (Hyper-Axe, AxeScorer, Axcitement) that project games directly onto the target and auto-score your throws. These systems offer 8-18+ game modes including:

• Connect Four: Projected grid, claim squares by hitting them
• Battleships: Classic battleship on the target board
• Pop: Hit projected balloons before they float away
• Memory Match: Pairs game where hitting zones reveals and matches targets

Digital targets are most common at larger venues and chains. If you want the tech-enhanced experience, ask about projection scoring when you book. These systems eliminate the need for manual scorekeeping and add visual feedback that makes every throw more satisfying.

Which Game Should You Play?

How to Set Up Games at Your Venue

Most axe throwing coaches know these games or variations of them, but not every venue advertises them. Here is how to make sure your session goes beyond basic scoring:

1. Ask when you book. Mention that your group wants to play games beyond standard scoring. Many venues will assign a coach who specializes in running game formats.
2. Bring a whiteboard marker. Some games (Tic-Tac-Toe, Bucket List, Cricket) require tracking on a whiteboard. Most venues have them, but confirming in advance saves time.
3. Warm up first. Spend the first 15 minutes on regular throws so everyone gets comfortable with technique. Then introduce the games. Jumping straight into trick shots or speed rounds before anyone has their form down leads to frustration.
4. Match games to skill level. If half your group has never thrown before, start with HORSE or Cornhole Scoring -- not Cricket or Progressive Distance. Build up as people improve. See our beginner's guide and tips guide for technique basics.
5. Plan your time. For a one-hour session, you can realistically play 3-4 quick games or 1-2 longer ones (Cricket, tournament bracket). Two-hour sessions give you room to run a full tournament with warm-up time.

FAQ

Do axe throwing venues offer games or just regular scoring?

Most venues offer some variation of games, but the default experience is standard scoring. Ask your coach about alternative game formats when you arrive, or request them when booking. Venues with digital projection systems typically have 8-18+ built-in game modes.

What is the best axe throwing game for beginners?

HORSE or Cornhole Scoring. Both have simple rules, work with two players, and use the same scoring as standard throwing. Cornhole's cancellation format is especially good for mixed-skill groups because it keeps the score close.

Can you play axe throwing drinking games?

At venues with bars, yes -- groups commonly add drink-based penalties to standard games. Most venues cap alcohol consumption during active throwing (typically 2-3 drinks) for safety. Keep it light.

How many games can you play in one hour?

Typically 3-4 short games (HORSE, Blackjack, Cornhole) or 1-2 longer formats (Cricket, tournament bracket, Survivor). Plan for 15 minutes of warm-up at the start.

Do I need to bring anything for axe throwing games?

No. Venues provide axes, targets, and usually whiteboards for scorekeeping. If you want to run a tournament bracket, having a bracket printed or on your phone helps but is not required.

What games work best for [large groups](/blog/axe-throwing-for-large-groups)?

Survivor (Humans vs. Zombies), Bullseye Relay, and tournament brackets all scale well to 8-20+ players. Team-based formats keep everyone engaged even when they are not actively throwing.

Find a venue near you in our directory to try these games. Most venues welcome game requests -- just ask your coach. For rules and scoring basics, check our rules and scoring guide, and for throwing technique, see our tips guide.