Shuffleboard Table Frequently Asked Questions, answered by Table Shuffleboard Hall of Fame player and company founder, John McDermott.
Shuffleboard Table Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Click the "+" signs to see the answers.
The Shuffleboard Federation are the experts in this area, We actually wrote the rules which govern tournament play. We also wrote the League Rule Book which is widely used to govern league play. However, most casual recreational players do not want or need that level of detail, they are primarily interested in the Basic Rules of Shuffleboard. Those rules cover how points are scored, and how to play shuffleboard with two people or four people. Make it official! Deck out your shuffleboard room with a framed Rules Poster. Supplement the rules/how to play print with framed prints for How To Play Horse Collar and How To Play Crazy Eights.
Playing on aNine Foot Shuffleboard Table can be a lot of fun, but it's important to use shuffleboard weights (pucks) that were designed for a table of that length. Otherwise, it can be hard to keep the pucks on the table, and that's not fun! Fortunately, The Shuffleboard Federation offers the Pro Series line of table shuffleboard weights (pucks), which are available in five different speeds. For 9' Shuffleboards, we recommend MA10 as the best option. They also work well on 12' Shuffleboard Tables.
Playing on a Twelve Foot Shuffleboard Table can be a lot of fun, but it's important to use shuffleboard weights (pucks) that were designed for a table of that length. Otherwise, it can be hard to keep the pucks on the table, and that's not fun! Most pucks are made for 22' Shuffleboard Tables, and are too fast for shorter boards. Fortunately, The Shuffleboard Federation offers the Pro Series line of table shuffleboard weights (pucks), which are available in five different speeds. For 12' Shuffleboards, we recommend MA10 or M12 as the best option. They also work well on 14' Shuffleboard Tables.
Super Slick® Silicone Spray for Shuffleboard Tables delivers long lasting, consistent speed longer than any product of it's kind. By helping to keep the speed powder in place, it greatly reduces "plowing", which is commonly referred to as "tracking". Regular use of Super Slick Silicone Spray will also protect the finish of your shuffleboard and, when properly used, helps to prevent scratching of the playfield and the bottom of your Shuffleboard Weights (pucks). For best results, use Super Slick® at least once a week and our 1•2•3 Shuffleboard Cleaner™ and 1•2•3 Shuffleboard Polish/Wax™ once a month to maximize the performance of your Shuffleboard Table Speed Powder.To see how to properly silicone your Shuffleboard Table, please click this link: How to apply Super Slick Silicone Spray.
There are three components to a Shuffleboard Table. They include the playfield (playing surface), the cradle (the part that the playfield sits in) and the legs. Playfields come standard as a single piece, though some manufacturers, like Champion, Venture, Hudson, and Heirloom offer a two-piece option. Cradles for 9' Shuffleboards are always one piece. Cradles for 12' and 14' tables come in either one piece or two, depending on the model.Cradles for 16', 18', 20' and 22' Shuffleboard Tables always come in two sections.
Shuffleboard Tables will have either one or two foul lines, depending on the length of the table. Shuffleboards that are 9 feet, 12 feet, or 14 feet long will have a single foul line in the middle of the playing surface. Weights (pucks) must be completely past the foul line or they are considered to be a "dead weight", and must be removed from the table.
Shuffleboard Tables that are 16 feet, 18 feet, 20 feet and 22 feet (regulation size), have two foul lines. They are located 6 feet from each end of the playing surface. Players must shoot their weights/pucks past the foul line closest to them in order for the weight to be legal. Any weights that are between the foul line closest to the shooter, and the "deuce line" are considered to be in the one point zone.
The "short foul line" rule is one of the most misunderstood Shuffleboard Rules in the game. Casual recreational players often get this rule wrong, and wonder why the rule exists. Quite simply, the short foul line has major strategical implications. It is often used to protect a lead, or to block the opponent's favorite lagging lane.
If space is tight, then a shuffleboard can be placed right against a wall. However, if you have room to position your table six inches to eight inches away from the wall, the extra elbow room makes for a more comfortable playing experience.
Table Shuffleboard has been around for centuries. The first visual reference to the game occurs in a painting called The Pall Mall Court, which was painted in 1677 by Adriean van Ostade. It is hundred of years older than than shuffleboard on the ground, which is called deck shuffleboard
Table shuffleboard is played on a long wooden table, and involves players using their hands to slide their weights (pucks) down the table,trying to get as close to the end of the playing surface as possible. Games usually are played to 15 or 21 points, with 15 being the more popular of the two formats.Shuffleboard Tables come in a wide variety of sizes, between 9 ft and 22ft
In deck shuffleboard, players use long sticks, known as "cues" to push the shuffleboard discs down a long court, which is typically configured on a concrete surface.One very big difference between the two games is that the one thing you do not want to do in deck shuffleboard is get as close to the end of the court as possible, as the end zone is worth -10 points!
In singles play, both players stand at one end of the Shuffleboard Table and alternate shots until all eight weights have been delivered. Both players then walk to the other end of the board, tally and register the score, and resume play from the end at which they are now standing. Only the color which is closest to the end of the board scores. All weights of that color which are deeper than any/all the weights of the opposite color are worth 1,2,3, or 4 points. The person that scores must shoot first in the next frame. If neither team scores, the team which had the hammer must shoot first.
When playing Table Shuffleboard with four people, which is referred to as Doubles, one player from each team is at each end of the board. Players alternate shots until all eight weights have been delivered. After a frame has been completed, the players at the opposite end tally and register the score, after which play resumes from that end. Only the color which is closest to the end of the board scores. All weights of that color which are deeper than any/all the weights of the opposite color are worth 1,2,3, or 4 points. The person that scores must shoot first in the next frame. If neither team scores, the team which had the hammer must shoot first.
Only the color which is closest to the end of the board scores. All weights of that color which are deeper than any/all the weights of the opposite color are worth 1,2,3, or 4 points.
Each end of the playing surface has two lines. The "3" line, which is six inches from the end, and the "2" line which is twelve inches from the end. There are also two foul lines which are six feet from each end.
A weight which is past the foul line closest to the shooter, but not past the "2" line counts as one point.
A weight which is completely past the "2" line, but not past the "3" line counts as two points.
A weight which is completely past the "3" line but not extending over the end of the playing field counts as three points.
A weight which hanging over the end of the board (commonly referred to as a "hanger" counts as four points.
To determine if a weight is completely past a line, stand at the end of the table and look down over the top of the weight. If any part of the weight is touching the line, it counts as the smaller number, if it is completely past the line it counts as the higher number.
The team that scores must shoot first in the next frame. If neither team scores, the team which had the hammer must shoot first.
To get a framed rules poster for the standard game, as well as Horse Collar Rules and Crazy Eights Rules, please check out the Shuffleboard Wall Signs, Prints & Posters section of our website.
Back in the day, singles was usually played to 15 points, while doubles (partners) games were played to 21. In recent years, it has become common the see doubles also played to 15 points. This speeds up play and allows more games to be played.
Shuffleboard Tables all have individual characteristics, due to the fact that the wood playing surfaces expand and contract, based on changes in humidity. This results in curves in the table. Learning those curves is an important aspect of playing well and dominating your opponent. Also, most shuffleboards are slightly faster from one end to the other. Generally speaking, it is easier to have you weights (pucks) stop in the deepest scoring zones when shooting on the slower end.Developing an arsenal of different releases, like Jersey shots, cross board shots, rail shots, free hand, span and finger shots, allow you to hit and stick more weights, thus helping you to control the game.
The Shuffleboard Federation is your number one resource for game improvement information, like Learn To Play Table Shuffleboard videos and How To Play documents. Game improvement equipment, like Pro Series Weights will help you score at a higher rate, and more consistently as well. Pro Series Weights, which are much more consistent than any other brand, come in five different speeds. Within the ranksof players who compete in amateur and professional shuffleboard tournaments, Pro Series Weights have a market shareof more than 90%!
When playing Table Shuffleboard, eight weights, also referred to as pucks, are used. Each team/player has four weights/pucks. The standard colors are red and blue, though many othercolors are available.
