In curling, the "hammer" refers to the advantage of throwing the last stone in an end. This position gives the team with the hammer a strategic edge, as they can react to their opponent's shots and potentially score more points. The team that scores in an end gains the hammer for the next end, creating a cycle where scoring leads to continued advantage. If neither team scores, the hammer passes to the team that did not score.
The hammer is determined at the start of each end based on the previous end's outcome. Teams alternate turns, and the side that wins the previous end takes the final shot in the current one. This rule ensures that the team with momentum or better play maintains control over the end's conclusion. The hammer shifts dynamically throughout the game depending on performance, making it a key factor in strategy and match outcomes.