Quick Read
- The ‘hammer’ in curling grants a team the final stone advantage in an end, a critical strategic benefit.
- The team that does not score in an end earns the hammer for the next round, influencing tactical decisions.
- The initial holder of the hammer is decided by a ‘Last Stone Draw’ (LSD) before the game begins.
- The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina will feature three curling disciplines with 112 competitors.
- Team GB is among the ten nations preparing to compete in curling at the upcoming games.
MILANO-CORTINA (Azat TV) – As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina draw closer, anticipation is building for one of its most popular and strategically nuanced events: curling. Central to the sport’s intricate strategy and a key determinant of success is the ‘hammer,’ also known as the Last Stone Advantage, which grants a team the crucial final throw in each end. Understanding this strategic element is paramount for both competing nations, including Team GB, and fans eager to follow the high-stakes precision and nerve required on the ice.
Curling, celebrated for its unique blend of skill, strategy, and steady nerves, is set to feature three medal events at the Milano-Cortina Games. Ten nations will compete in each discipline, with a total of 112 competitors expected to take part. The mixed doubles format, which made its debut at the Pyeongchang Games, will once again join the traditional men’s and women’s team competitions. Great Britain, for instance, is expected to field a strong mixed doubles team, including notable players like Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Moat.
The Critical Role of the Curling ‘Hammer’
The ‘hammer’ is arguably the most significant strategic advantage in curling. It refers to the right to deliver the final stone of an end, which is typically a considerable benefit. By the time the hammer stone is thrown, all other stones have been played, and the current scoring situation is clear, allowing the team with the hammer to execute a precise shot to maximize their score or salvage a difficult end. This advantage often dictates tactical decisions throughout a game.
A unique aspect of curling strategy revolves around the hammer’s retention. The team that does not score any points during an end will receive the hammer for the subsequent round. This rule sometimes leads teams to deliberately avoid scoring a single point, preferring instead to blank an end to retain the hammer and aim for a more substantial score in the next. If neither team scores, the hammer is simply retained by the team that had it.
Deciding Last Stone Advantage and Team Dynamics
Before a curling game commences, the initial holder of the Last Stone Advantage is determined through a process known as the Last Stone Draw (LSD). In championship play, two players from each team deliver a stone as close as possible to the center of the ‘house’ – one stone thrown clockwise and the other counter-clockwise. The distance from the stone to the center is meticulously measured, with the team whose stone is closest winning the hammer for the first end.
Team composition and roles are also vital. In the men’s and women’s events, each team consists of four playing members and an alternate. The final two stones of each end are generally thrown by the ‘skip,’ who serves as the de facto captain of the rink. The skip is responsible for shaping the team’s overall strategy and must execute calmly under immense pressure. In mixed doubles, a format involving five stones per end, the same team member delivers both the first and last stones, while their teammate throws the middle three. Teams begin every mixed doubles end with one stone per team pre-placed, making it possible to score up to six points in a single end.
As nations fine-tune their strategies for Milano-Cortina 2026, the nuanced understanding and tactical deployment of the hammer will undoubtedly remain a focal point, distinguishing contenders through sheer precision and strategic foresight on the ice.