What is the ‘Hammer’ in Curling? (And Why You Want It)

If you listen to the commentary during the Winter Olympics, you’ll hear them talk about “The Hammer” constantly. No, it’s not a tool for fixing the ice—it is the single most important strategic advantage in the game.

What is the Hammer?

Simply put, the “Hammer” is the Last Stone Advantage.

In an “end” (which is like an inning in baseball), each team throws 8 stones. The team that throws the very last stone has the Hammer.

Why is it so powerful?

Imagine a penalty shootout in football, but you get to see exactly where the goalkeeper dives before you kick the ball. That’s the Hammer.

Because you get the final shot, you can see exactly where all the opponent’s stones are. You can use that last stone to:

• The Takeout: Knock the opponent’s winning stone out of the house to remove their points.

• The Draw: Slide your stone gently to the very center (the “button”) to steal the win at the last second.

The Strategy of the “Blank End” (Scoring Zero on Purpose)

This is the part that confuses most first-time watchers. Sometimes, you will see a Skip (captain) intentionally knock all the stones out of play so that nobody scores.

Why would they do that?

It comes down to the Golden Rule of the Hammer: You want to score 2 or more points.

• If you can only score 1 point, you lose the Hammer for the next round. That is considered a “loss” for the team with the advantage.

• By scoring 0 points (a “Blank End”), the rules state you get to keep the Hammer for the next end.

Essentially, the team is saying: “We didn’t like the look of this round, so let’s scrap it and try again next time.”

The Nightmare Scenario: “The Steal”

The Hammer comes with immense pressure. If the team without the Hammer manages to leave a stone in the center that is hidden behind guards (blocker stones), the team with the Hammer might miss their final shot.

If the team with the Hammer fails to score, the opponent “Steals” the point. This is the biggest momentum swing in curling—psychologically, it’s devastating.

How do you get it?

In the very first end of an Olympic match, it’s decided by a “Last Stone Draw” (LSD)—a skills contest where players try to land a stone on the button. The closest team gets the Hammer.

After that, the rule is simple: The team that scored in the previous round GIVES UP the Hammer.

• Did you just score 2 points? Great! Now the other team gets the advantage.

• Did you get “stolen” on? You keep the hammer and try to recover.

Ready to test your strategy on the ice-free lanes?

Book a session at The Curling Club—located in Manchester and across London (Vinegar Yard, Chelsea, and Canary Wharf)—and we’ll flip a coin to see which team starts with the Hammer. Use that last shot wisely; it’s usually the difference between buying the next round of drinks or having them bought for you!