Shuffleboard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Shuffleboard is a game where players push a small disk in a narrow elongated play area with the purpose of positioning it within a marked area. Shuffleboard is traditionally played on one of two scales; Deck Shuffleboard and Table Shuffleboard.
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[edit] History
The full history of Shuffleboard as a game is not known. Though we have some knowledge of its development, its actual origins, the place and date where it was first played, remains a mystery. Inevitably, this uncertainty gives rise to some debate, even disagreement, about which country can claim to have invented it. However there is no dispute concerning its age as a form of popular amusement. It is a very old game indeed, and in Europe has a history that goes back at least 500 years.
The earliest English name given to it is 'shovillaborde'. Played by Henry VIII. who apparently did not always win because the record of royal expenses for 1532 show a payment from the Privy Purse of nine pounds, 'Paied to my lord Wylliam for that he wanne of the kinges grace at shovillaborde'.
[edit] Deck Shuffleboard
In Deck Shuffleboard, the players use sticks to push disks along a smooth surface (e.g. the deck of a ship), placing the disk within a numbered triangle for point value. If the disk lands completely within the tip of the triangle without touching any part of the borders of the triangle, it is worth ten points. Completely within the second tier of the triangle, it is worth eight points, and completely within the third tier of the triangle, seven points. If the disk lands in the "10 Off" trapezoid, it is worth negative ten points. Players play ten "frames." The basic strategy involves deflecting the opposition's disks out of zones with a positive value, and increasing one's own points by landing disks into areas of a high point value.
A deck shuffleboard court is 39 feet long by 6 feet wide. Another 6 feet of space is provided at each end of the play area which is where the players stand.
Newer courts are now available, for use on deck or on any solid flat surface, in the form of roll out mats and a poly tiled system. With the poly courts the dimensions can be adapted to the space available but it is perfectly possible to have a good game on a court 30' long x 5' wide. The rollout mats are available in two sizes, one is 39' x 6' but the other is just 27' x 4'6 and is designed to fit on a domestic patio or driveway. The discs and pushers used are always the same regardless of the court size. (Shuffleboard Europe)
[edit] Table Shuffleboard
In Table Shuffleboard, the play area is most commonly a wooden or laminated surface covered with wax powder or beads(to reduce friction). The length most used in the USA is a 22' board. The players use metal pucks/weights and place them within zones at the other end.
As in curling and bowls, the player only controls the puck for a short time, pushing it towards the far end. The skill lies in judging the distance and speed correctly and carefully positioning the puck down the long board.
[edit] Variants
A popular variant of table shuffleboard is bankboard (usually called shuffleboard by its players), in which the player must bounce the puck off one of the rubber bumpers on each side of the board. Bankboard tables are much shorter than regular tables (12' or 13') and so can be useful in maximizing revenue per square foot of floorspace.
[edit] Teams
Shuffleboard can be played either one-on-one or by two teams of two. After all pucks have been played on one 'end', only the winning puck or group of pucks scores (according to the points marked on the board). Play then continues in the opposite direction. The winner is the first to a set number of points (e.g. 15).
