In the sport of curling, “taking the hammer” refers to which team has the last stone advantage in an end. This is an important strategic concept that can greatly impact the outcome of a curling match.
The Hammer in Curling
The “hammer” is the curling term for the last stone that is thrown in an end. This is the stone that can potentially be used to score points at the conclusion of the end.
In traditional curling games, one team delivers the first stone in the first end. Then in the next end, the other team gets the hammer and delivers the last stone. The hammer alternates between the teams each end after that.
Having the last stone is a significant advantage, as it allows a team more control over the scoring. With the hammer, a skip can use that final throw to remove opponent stones from the house or place their stone in a position to score points.
Scoring in Curling and the Importance of the Hammer
In curling, points are scored at the completion of each end, which is similar to an inning in baseball. Only one team can score per end.
Points are based on the number of stones a team has closer to the center of the house (the colored circles) compared to the opponent’s stones. The team with the stone closest to the button (the small center circle) scores one point for each of their stones lying closer to the button than any of the opponent’s stones.
This is where having the hammer becomes vitally important. With the last stone, a team can potentially remove opponent stones that are counting or place their final stone in a position to score multiple points.
Without the hammer, a team is more limited in their scoring ability and options. They cannot displace the opponent’s stones on the last shot. At best, they can try and place guards to make the hammer shot difficult.
Strategies Around Using the Hammer
There are several key strategies teams employ relating to optimizing their use of the hammer:
- With the hammer, a team will try to score multiple points. They want to set up the house so that the last stone can score 2, 3 or more points.
- Without the hammer, the goal is to limit the scoring potential of the opponent’s last stone. The team will try to clog up the house and not leave any opportunities for multiple points.
- If a team has a big lead late in the game, they may choose to blank an end. This means scoring zero points on purpose. Doing so retains the hammer in the next end.
- If a team is behind late in the game, they may need to score points even without the hammer to try and catch up on the scoreboard.
Maximizing the potential to score with the hammer, while minimizing the opponent’s hammer scoring, is a major key to winning curling games.
What Does “Taking the Hammer” Mean?
Now that we’ve covered the basic concept of the hammer, the curling phrase “taking the hammer” refers to a team gaining control of the last stone advantage.
There are a couple scenarios where the hammer shifts between teams:
1. At the Start of Each New End
As previously mentioned, the hammer alternates each end. So at the conclusion of an end, the team that did not have the hammer takes control of it for the new end.
For example, Team A has the hammer in the first end. At the conclusion of the first end, Team B “takes the hammer” for the second end.
2. If a Team Scores Multiple Points with the Hammer
Normally, the team that did not score takes the hammer in the next end. However, there is an exception.
If the team with the hammer scores multiple points (2 or more), they retain control of the hammer in the following end. This is done to prevent a potential runaway score by one team continuously scoring multiple points with the hammer.
For instance, Team A has the hammer in the 3rd end. They manage to score 3 points with their last stone. In this case, Team A would keep the hammer for the 4th end rather than giving it over to Team B.
Losing Control of the Hammer
There are also ways that a team can lose control of the hammer if they currently have it:
1. If the Team with the Hammer Scores a Single Point
As noted earlier, if the hammer team scores just one point, the hammer transfers to the other team for the next end. The non-hammer team needs a chance to respond.
2. If the Team with the Hammer is Forced to Score
If the team without the hammer sets up the end so that the hammer thrower is forced to score a point to avoid conceding multiple points, then they lose control of the hammer.
Again, this prevents a runaway scoring scenario where one team could score multiple points each end.
3. If They are “Stealing” Points
“Stealing” refers to the team without the hammer scoring points. If the non-hammer team scores points, they take over the hammer in the next end.
This could happen if they set up good guards and the hammer thrower is unable to remove their stones.
Rules for Keeping or Transferring the Hammer
To summarize, here are the rules that govern transferring the hammer from team to team:
- The team that did not score takes the hammer in the next end
- Except if the scoring team scored 2 or more points with the hammer, then they retain it
- If the hammer team only scores 1 point, the other team gets the hammer
- If the non-hammer team steals points, they take the hammer
Following these rules helps maintain fairness and balance throughout a curling match.
Strategy Around Gaining or Losing the Hammer
Since the hammer provides such a big advantage, teams need to strategize around gaining or losing control of it:
- If ahead, try to limit your scoring to 1 point with the hammer. This transfers it to the opponent and reduces their chances of rallying.
- If behind, try to steal points without the hammer whenever possible to take it away from the other team.
- If you have the hammer and a big lead, consider blanking the end to retain the hammer.
- If you are down multiple points with little time left, you may need to score with the hammer even if it means the opponent takes it next end.
Managing the hammer appropriately over the course of a game can often be the difference between winning and losing.
Losing the Hammer Due to Violations
There are also some rule violations that can result in a team losing the hammer:
- Touching a moving stone – Only the sweepers can touch stones in play. If another player touches a moving stone, the opponent has the option to remove it from play and take over the hammer.
- Sweeping the wrong stone – Sweepers can only sweep their team’s stones. Sweeping an opponent’s stone will lead to it being removed and the hammer transferring.
- Delivering stones out of order – Stones must be delivered in alternating fashion between teams. A violation results in the stone being stopped and the hammer lost.
So teams need to be careful not to commit any rule infractions when they have the hammer or risk losing control of this pivotal advantage.
The Hammer and Scoring Strategy
The hammer has a significant influence on scoring strategy:
With the Hammer:
- Try to score 2 or more points
- Carefully decide if blanking an end is beneficial
- Don’t take risks that could lead to giving up a steal
Without the Hammer:
- Try to limit the opponent to 1 point at most
- Attempt steals whenever the opportunity is there
- Get stones in play that will make the hammer throw difficult
Managing the hammer appropriately requires tremendous focus, judgment and communication. It is one of the most important strategic skills in curling.
Example of Gaining and Losing the Hammer
Here is a brief example of how the hammer may transfer between teams over the course of some ends:
End 1: Team A has the hammer and scores 2 points. They retain the hammer for the next end.
End 2: Team A has the hammer again. They attempt to score 2 again but only get 1 point. The hammer transfers to Team B.
End 3: Team B has the hammer. They set up well and score 3 points. Team B keeps the hammer.
End 4: Team B misses a takeout with the hammer. Team A steals 1 point when they score a point without the hammer. Team A gains the hammer.
This demonstrates how the hammer will transfer between teams multiple times based on the scoring and rules.
The Hammer and Curling Strategy
Gaining and maintaining the hammer is a vital part of curling strategy:
- Having the hammer provides a huge scoring advantage late in an end.
- The rules ensure the hammer gets passed between teams for fairness.
- Teams try to score multiple points when they have the hammer.
- Without the hammer, the goal is limiting the opponent’s scoring.
- Expert usage of the hammer over a full game is often the key to victory.
The team that best optimizes their scoring chances with the hammer, while minimizing their opponents, gains a significant edge.
Conclusion
The concept of the “hammer” in curling – which refers to the last stone advantage in an end – introduces strategy and fairness to the game.
The team with the hammer has a chance to potentially score multiple points with their final stone throw. To balance that, the hammer transfers between teams each end based on the scoring.
Mastering strategy around gaining, retaining and losing the hammer is pivotal for curling success. Teams must maximize their hammer scoring chances, while limiting the opponent’s hammer effectiveness.
Expert hammer management over the course of a curling match requires great skill, judgment and communication between teammates. It is one of the most crucial tactical skills in curling.