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Once the wax is already on the shuffleboard table and you’ve chosen the color of your puck. There’s only one crucial question remains and that is; How do you keep score in shuffleboard? Luckily, you’ve come to the right article to help you find it out.
With a little luck, practice, and skill, you can become a shuffleboard Sensei that you’re wishing for; but of course, first, you need to learn how to keep your score fast and easily.
Read on and find out how to keep score in shuffleboard!
Objective of the game
The main aim of the game is to slide through by hand. Which alternately all four of one’s weights is against those of the opponent. So, that they can reach the main highest score area; without even falling off the end of the board into the alley. Furthermore, in order to be in the scoring position; each of the player’s weights needs to be further down the board than their opponent’s weights.
This can be achieved either by knocking or outdistancing off the opponent’s weights.
Typically, either the 15 or more 21 is played the horse collar. Which is the most common key form of the shuffleboard game?
Below is an image of the weights on the board. Only the weights in front score.
One-on-one
In one-on-one, each player is assigned a color of puck, 4 pucks per player. Play can start at one end of each of the table, and each player will alternately be shuffling one weight down at a time towards the opposite end of the table which is the “scoring end” of the table. Until all 8 pucks have been shuffled. Each player tries to either land his puck closest to the end of the table, knock the opponent’s pucks off the table, knock their own puck into the position of a puck or higher scoring area. So that it will block their opponent from being able to hit another puck off the table.
This finishes the “round.” Play then continues from the other end of the table, where the pucks have come to rest. When a set number of points has been reached by a player often 15 or 21, that player has won that “frame.” A “match” consists of a predetermined number of frames.
Teams
In two-on-two, teammates stand on the opposite end of the table and play every other round, shooting from alternating ends of the table. With the team scores combination, the two games can effectively play at once. Sometimes the players can swap or switch to the other end of the table between frames.
The unofficial but most common variation that has all players at one end of each of the table. Each player will have 2 weights or shots per round. Teams can alternately turn, with shooting each teammate every other turn.
Shuffleboard Powder
To keep play smooth, large amounts of a product made called “shuffleboard powder” are sprinkled generously on the table.
Shuffleboard powder enables the puck to slide smoothly across the board. The silicone beads act like tiny ball bearings, enabling a puck to slide down the table with a minimal amount of effort.
Although it is also known as shuffleboard wax, it is indeed a powder made from dried silicone beads and cornmeal long ago it was made from sawdust, as opposed to a liquid. It is sold in a container that looks similar to powdered bleach cleanser, complete with holes that allow for even distribution across the table. It is recommended to store the powder in a dark, dry place.
Shuffleboard powder is available in a variety of types, for varying table sizes and speed preferences. Some players prefer a game with faster action, whereas others prefer more control over the puck.
How to Keep Score in A Shuffleboard Game
Players take turns sliding pucks to the opposite end of the shuffleboard.
Trying to score points, bump opposing player’s pucks off, or protect their pucks from being knocked off by other players.
Points are scored when a player gets a puck to stop in one of the scoring areas.
The puck needs to be complete across the zone line to score full points. Pucks that are hanging off the edge of the board. Which are called ‘hangers’ or ‘shippers’ and will receive an extra point. The pucks hanging off the end corner receive no additional scoring. Other than being 4 points for hanging over the back of the board. Pucks that don’t pass the foul line closest to the player. As well as pucks that are knocked off are removed from play for the round.
When all players have played their pucks, the puck closest to the far edge of the table. It takes points for all pucks that are ahead of their opponents’ furthest shot. Other players do not take points. The player who scores will shoot first in the next round.
Strategy
In shuffleboard, one player will try to score and prevent the opponent from scoring, or both. The basic strategy involves both offense and defense. If it is your turn to shoot first, you are automatically on the defensive, because your opponent has the last shot of the frame.
If you simply put your first shot into the scoring area, your opponent will knock it off, and if you then score with your second shot, the same will happen until you have used your last shot, and your opponent will knock that off and probably score.
To combat this, you can use the strategy of hiding and blocking. That will be your first shot and will be a guard disk shot to a location. So that will block your opponent from that part of the scoring area that you can still place a good disk.
Your second shot will be the one to play into that hiding place you created with your first shot, so your opponent cannot hit you out directly.
The Rules of Shuffleboard
In the interest of good sportsmanship, it is recommended that all players shake hands before the game begins. Deciding who goes first can be done a number of ways, however the simplest way is to flip a coin. Remember that it is advantageous to go second. After the first round is played, the winner plays first on the next round.
Players use red or blue-colored pucks to indicate which player or team they belong to. Players take turns sliding their puck down the table.
The main goal is to get the pucks as close to the end of the board as possible without falling off the end.
The center is separated from each end of the table by two lines called “foul” lines. When the player takes a shot, the shot must pass the foul line closes to the player, otherwise it is removed from the table, as it is deemed being in the “illegal zone”. Surrounding the table is a gutter called the “alley”. Pucks that fall into the alley are out of play for the remainder of the round.
What’s more?
When shooting, you can hit the pucks of your opponent. The idea is to try and hit your opponent’s pucks out of play by pushing them into the alley, while moving your pucks into a higher-scoring location.
If your puck passes the foul line, then bounces off a puck and returns to the illegal zone, both your puck and your opponents are removed from play.
After each player has shot four pucks, the round is finished. When scoring at the end of the round, points are awarded only to the player whose puck is closest to the edge of the table. Your puck can only score points if it is on the table, over the foul line, and closer to the end of the table than any of your opponent’s pucks.
A puck that overhangs the edge of the table receives four points. The puck that is in one of the scoring zones receives points according to its zone one, two, or three points. A puck that is touching the line between zones receives points only from the lowest zone.
Example:
For example, a puck in zone two that is touching the line for zone one would only receive one point.
If there are two players, the first one to reach fifteen points is the winner. If there are four players in a ‘doubles’ match, the first team to reach twenty-one points wins.
Certain violations that will result in a one-point penalty. To avoid this, make sure that you do not rub your hands over the playing surface, and avoid extending the lower half of your body past the end of the board.
While your opponent is shooting, do not hold a playing puck in your hand. Avoid touching the actual playing surface with either hand before, during or after making a shot. Although, it is permissible to touch the frame.
How About In Teams?
In a doubles match, teammates stand on the opposite end of the table and play every other round, shooting from alternating ends of the table. Essentially it is like playing two games of shuffleboard at the same time, and combining the scores of each team.
During a doubles match, player is not allowed to go the other end of the board to see the position of the pucks. If you want to know about a puck’s position, you must ask your partner and rely on their information. Going beyond the foul line at any time during the round results in a penalty.
Touching a puck that is in play is not permissible while anyone else is shooting, whether it’s your opponent or your partner. The same is true for touching the playing surface or the table frame.
Also, any pucks in the gutter should not be touched until the round is finished. Causing any table vibrations will result in a penalty, even if the vibration is accidental, such as hitting the floor. As a rule of etiquette, it’s best to stand far back and give your opponent’s lots of room when they are shooting.
Conclusions:
Learning how to keep your score in a shuffleboard game isn’t quite daunting and complicated. Most especially if you already learned the basic scoring rules of the game.
You can have the chance to rule the party on all the shuffleboard games and other friends referee games.
Just keep in mind that the most important aspect is of shuffleboard table games is that you are enjoying and having fun.
So, don’t let your love or friends for the rules in getting the way of having a fun time. Play and score clean and of course, enjoy your shuffleboard table game!
Check Out: How much does a shuffleboard table cost?
