How to Play Shuffleboard Game

Gather players around the shuffleboard table. Shuffleboard tables are often found in bars and typically feature a smooth wooden surface. They range in size from 12 to 22 feet (3.6 to 6.6 m) in length, with a height of about 30 inches (75 cm) and a width of 20 inches (50 cm). The table has lines marked 6 and 12 inches (15 and 30 cm) from the far end. A foul line, located 6 feet (1.8 m) from the far end, must be crossed by the disks without falling off the table in order for them to be eligible to score.

Distribute four weighted metal disks to each player or team. Each disk should be easily identifiable, often with red or blue markings to distinguish between players or teams. There are only two sides in the game, allowing players to compete either solo or in pairs.

Determine who goes first. Have a player or team call 'heads' or 'tails' and then flip a coin. If the chosen side comes up, that team or player starts. If not, the opposing team or player takes the first turn.

Begin the game. Players or teams take turns sliding their disks across the table until all are played. The goal is to slide your disk to the furthest point while trying to knock your opponents’ disks off the board. In team play, you may also aim to help your partner by positioning their disks in high-scoring areas.

Calculate the score. In team play, only the player or team with the farthest disk scores points, and only those disks further than the opponent's furthest disk count.

• A disk that hangs off the end of the table earns 4 points. A disk that crosses the far line but doesn’t hang over earns 3 points. A disk crossing the nearer scoring line scores 2 points. A disk crossing the foul line but no other lines earns 1 point.
• If a disk touches or crosses a line, it scores the value of the lower scoring area. For instance, a disk crossing the 3-point line but touching it will score 2 points.
• In certain versions, less skilled players may earn 1 more point for a hanger or crossing the lines compared to more experienced opponents. If using this rule, make sure it’s established before the game starts.

Collect the disks and continue the game. Some shuffleboard games are played from one end, while others allow play from both ends. The player or team that won the previous round begins the next turn. In a two-player game, the first to reach either 11 or 15 points wins. In team play, the first team to 21 points wins the match.

Set up the shuffleboard court with the players. An outdoor shuffleboard court measures 52 feet (15.6 meters) in length and features a rectangular shape with triangular scoring zones at each end. Have all players gather around the court to begin the game.

Distribute 4 wooden disks and a cue to each player or team. The disks, usually in yellow and black, have a diameter of 6 inches (15 cm) and a thickness between 9/16 and 1 inch (1.4 to 2.5 cm). The cue, a stick no longer than 6 1/2 feet (2 meters), has a U-shaped prong at the end for pushing the disks down the court.

Take turns sliding your disks. Players or teams alternate sliding their disks across the court until all disks are played. The player with the yellow disks goes first, placing their disks in the "10-off" section of their side and aiming for the opposite scoring triangle.

• The yellow player shoots from the left side, while the black player shoots from the right. The cue cannot pass the scoring area when pushing the disk. Disks must cross the "dead line" 3 feet (0.9 meters) from the opposite scoring zone but must not hang off the edge of the court. Any disks that don’t cross or hang are removed from play.
• Just like in table shuffleboard, players aim to position their disks in the highest-scoring areas while knocking opponents’ disks into lower scoring zones or off the court entirely.

Score the disks. Outdoor shuffleboard features a triangular scoring area divided into 6 sections. A disk must completely fit inside one section to score points. Disks in the triangle’s apex earn 10 points, while those in the two sections behind it score 8 points. The two areas behind the 8-point section earn 7 points. Any disk landing in the "10-off" section deducts 10 points from the player or team's score.

• Unlike table shuffleboard, outdoor shuffleboard imposes penalties for rule violations. If a disk touches the 10-off area line before being shot, the player loses 5 points. Touching any side of the triangle results in a 10-point penalty. A 10-point penalty is also given if a player crosses the baseline during a shot or interferes with an opponent’s disk.
• Illegally played disks should be removed from the court. Any of the opponent’s disks displaced by a foul should be returned to the opponent to replay.

Continue playing. Players take turns sliding disks from either end of the court until one side reaches the required score. The first side to achieve a total of 75 points or more after all disks have been played in a round wins the game.

Gather the players around the deck shuffleboard court. A deck shuffleboard court features two oval-shaped scoring zones, each 6 feet (1.8 meters) in length, with a distance of 30 feet (9 meters) separating them. Each scoring area has lines drawn in front and behind it: the inner lines are known as "Lady's lines," while the outer lines are called "Gentleman's lines."

Distribute four wooden disks and a cue to each side. The disks are identical in size to those used in outdoor shuffleboard and are marked in two different colors. The cues are similar to those used in outdoor shuffleboard, but with a shooting end, or "shoe," which is a semicircular cutout in a rectangular wooden piece.

• Teams of two players are common, with each player assigned to one end of the court.

Determine who goes first. This is typically decided by a coin toss, similar to the procedure in table shuffleboard.

Players take turns sliding their disks across the court. Continue until all disks have been played. Players must stand behind the “gentleman's line” when shooting. During the game, players can aim to knock their opponent's disks either out of the scoring area or off the court.

• Any disks that fail to cross the Lady's line should be removed from the court.

Calculate the points for each disk. After all disks have been cast, tally the points based on where each disk lands in the scoring area, provided it is completely inside a section.

• The scoring area is divided into 9 squares numbered 1 through 9, arranged like a magic square, where every line of three numbers adds up to 15. The semicircle farthest from the players earns 10 points for any disk that lands in it, while the semicircle closest to the players deducts 10 points for any disk that enters it.

Keep alternating turns sliding disks until one side reaches the winning score. The first side to reach either 50 or 100 points wins the game.

Set up the shuffleboard table. Shuffleboard is played on a table measuring 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 meters) in length and 3 feet (0.9 meters) in width. Scoring lines are drawn at both ends of the table: one 4 inches (10 cm) from the end, and another 4 feet (1.2 meters) from the end.

Distribute four weighted metal disks to each player. Ensure each player's disks are marked differently to avoid confusion with others' pieces.

Decide who will go first. For two players, use a coin toss. If more than two players are involved, select a fair method to determine the starting player.

Start playing. Players take turns sliding their disks across the table until all disks have been played. A disk must cross one of the designated lines without falling off the edge.

• Once a player slides their disk, it becomes a potential target for other players, who can try to knock it off the table and replace it with their own disk.

Calculate the scores. A disk that hangs over the far end of the table is worth 3 points. A disk that touches or crosses the far line earns 2 points, and a disk that reaches or crosses the near line scores 1 point. If no disk crosses any line, the disk closest to the near line scores 1 point. Add these points to the player’s previous total.

Alternate sliding disks until one player wins. The player who scored the most points on the previous turn begins the next turn. The first player to reach 11 points wins.

• If there are more than two players, the winning score may exceed 11 points.

• When sliding a disk or puck in shuffleboard or table shuffleboard, aim for smooth, controlled movements. Grip the disk with your thumb and forefinger, and then push it forward using your arm and wrist towards your target. You may find it helpful to rest your middle and ring fingers behind the disk to guide the shot as you release it.