Looking to up your shuffleboard game? Look no further than these 22 rules for Table Shuffleboard! With these guidelines in hand, you’ll be confident in your skills and able to take on even the toughest opponents.
- Get Familiar with the Board
The first step in playing table shuffleboard is getting to know the board itself. Look for the foul lines at the end of the board, which help determine which moves are valid and which aren’t. Also, take note of the triangle-shaped scoring zones (10, 8, 7, and Kitchen) at the other end of the board.
- Place the Pucks
Arrange the pucks so that one player’s pucks are on the far side (or the “end”) of the board, and the other player’s pucks are on the near side (or the “home” side). Each player gets four pucks to start the game.
- Begin Shuffleboard Play
Once the pucks are in place, the player who is going first throws their first puck. Then, the other player throws their first puck. From then on, players take turns taking shots until all eight pucks have been thrown.
- Scoring
In order to score, you need to slide a puck to the opposite end of the table so that it lands in one of the scoring zones. The number listed on the scoring zone is the amount of points that the puck is worth. If a puck is completely in the scoring zone, the player scores that number of points. If the puck is touching one of the lines of the zone, then they only score half of that number of points.
- Knocking Pucks Out of Scoring Zones
If at any time a player knocks a puck out of its scoring zone, then no points are scored for that puck. Pucks in the Kitchen are values at -10 points and cannot be knocked out.
- Offensive and Defensive Shuffleboarding
When playing shuffleboard, you can either take an offensive or defensive approach. Offensive play is when you try to score points on your turn by landing your pucks in the scoring zones. Defensive play is when you try to knock your opponent’s pucks out of scoring zones so they’re unable to score points.
- Foul Lines
The foul lines that cross the table designate areas called “the Kitchen.” Any puck that goes over the foul line on the player’s end of the table without touching any portion of the playing surface is removed from play until the end of the current frame, granting the opposing player an advantage. A player scoring from any portion of the Kitchen is not assessed a penalty.
- Skunk Rule
The Skunk rule, or Mercy rule, applies when a player has a score of 75 or higher to zero.
- Stacking Pucks
If one of your pucks is touching another one of your own pucks, you can use that as an opportunity to knock your opponent’s pucks out of scoring zones.
- Playing to a Certain Score
When playing shuffleboard, you can choose to play to a predetermined score, typically 21 or 15 points. The player who reaches that score first wins; however, they must win by a margin of at least two points.
- Alternating Shots
Players take turns taking shots until all eight pucks have been thrown. The player with the lead puck in the previous round plays first in the next round. If no pucks remain on the board, players alternate taking their final shots until they both have none left to throw.
- Playing on an Angled Table
Some tables are angled, making it more difficult for players to score points. In this case, players can choose to play on an angled table or switch to a flat one.
- The Use of Sand
Sand is sometimes used on shuffleboard tables, as it helps provide a consistent playing surface. If you’re playing on a table with sand, make sure you’re aware of how it affects your puck’s slide and adjust your aim accordingly.
- Fouls
After a player throws their puck, any pucks that they disturb on the board are removed from play. Additionally, if a player doesn’t touch any part of the playing surface with their puck during their turn or if they shoot out of turn, their puck is removed from play.
- Cheap Shots
If a player intentionally tries to knock your pucks out of a scoring zone or hit their own pucks on purpose, that’s considered a cheap shot. If this happens, it’s in your right to call them out on it.
- Anti-Skunk Rule
The The Anti-Skunk rule, or No Thank You rule, applies at the beginning of a match when one player is to be the first to throw. If the player throwing first prevails without the second opposing player earning any points after four pucks apiece, then the opponent should state “no thank you,” meaning that the opponent refuses to play with them again.
- Stick Shuffleboard
Stick shuffleboard is a variation in which players use cues, which can make the game more challenging. With stick shuffleboard, players can aim more precisely and hit the puck harder, so it can be harder to defend against.
- Keeping Score
The score is kept by counting the scoring pucks, and the winner is the first to reach 21 points (or 15 if previously agreed upon). Each player’s score is recorded on a scoreboard attached to the table. Scoring is typically shown with colored pegs that are extended or moved to the left or right.
- The Opening Shot
The player who goes first throws their first puck. Then, the other player throws their first puck. From then on, players take turns taking shots until all eight pucks have been thrown.
- The Hammer
In the final round, the player who didn’t have the hammer (the last player to throw) in the previous round gets to go first. This is called having “the hammer” and is an advantage because they can dictate the pace and flow of the final round.
- Bumping
You have the option to hit your own puck, bumping it closer to the scoring zone, or knocking your opponents’ pucks out of favorable positions. When attempting to hit your own puck, be careful not to take it out of its scoring zone. A bump on a puck out of play results in its removal from the board for the duration of the round.
- Clean, Smooth, and Consistent Play
It’s important to play clean and smooth, using a relatively consistent speed and technique on each shot. Getting into a rhythm and repeating your shooting style will help you to more quickly and accurately score points. And remember: no cheating, no cheap shots, and no shortcuts!
Now that you know the 22 rules of table shuffleboard, it’s time to put them into practice! You’ll be amazed at how much of a difference they can make in your game. So grab your pucks and get ready to shuffle like a pro!
