Explaining The More Advanced Shuffleboard Rules

Any game, indeed, needs to be regulated by a strict set of shuffleboard rules; things can get out of hand quickly. However, there are some rules out there that make us want to scratch our heads and ask why. Here's a brief explanation of some of the more unique shuffleboard rules and why they are included in gameplay. Rule 2.3: Weight caps shall not be switched or replaced on weights after the colors have been determined unless replacing a cap with the same color before the match starts, or replacing a damaged cap during the game. Weights may not be changed during play unless they are damaged. We can only imagine how many times something like this has happened on a shuffleboard table before someone finally put it in the rulebook. It's not like a lot of players would think to do this during a match, but keeping a lid on the weight caps makes sense in context. If perhaps a less-than-honorable player were to replace the normal caps with weighted ones, it could throw off an opposing team's game and give them an unfair advantage. Though it seems like a simple "don't mess with the pucks" rule would work just as well.

Rule 2.9: Winners shall make the board after the game is over. However, if the next team using that board wishes to remake it, they may do so if all players agree on who will remake it. Otherwise, they may request a tournament official or a mutually agreed-upon third party to remake the board. It's the end of the game, it's not like it really matters who makes the board for the next group, right? Wrong. Just like the weight caps rule, officials need to make sure that no one is trying to give someone else an unfair advantage, or disadvantage, as it were, by messing with the shuffleboard wax. If there is perhaps a bit of mistrust between two teams, the best thing to do is to have an official or third party make the board for the next game, to keep everything nice and fair. Rule 5.3: A player or team shall be responsible for marking and tracking their due points at the end of each frame. Any points earned and not marked before the last weight of the next frame may be forfeited. This is one of the more odd shuffleboard rules, given the day and age we live in. It seems that a designated scorer could easily be added to the game to keep track of points. It's a little confusing until you take this next rule into account as well:

Rule 5.6: Weights shall not be removed at the end of a frame until both parties have viewed and agreed upon the score to be marked. If an opponent removes a scoring weight before the players agree, the scoring weight will be given the maximum points in doubt.

Since the players have to agree on what the score actually is (we can only imagine how many heated debates that may have caused), it only makes sense for them to keep track of it themselves. Bringing in a third party would more than likely just make things more confusing. 9.1 More than 30 seconds between shots, or more than five minutes between games once the match has started, shall constitute slow play. 9.3 A player may walk to the opposite end of the board to examine the position of the weights, or ask their partner's opinion on the value or position of a weight. Viewing the position of a weight at the opposite end of a board does not constitute a "time-out" and shall be exercised within the 30-second time limit. Yikes, those are some harsh constraints on time, especially when you factor in the time to view weight positions. But that's what has to be done if we want the tournaments to finish within a reasonable time. Shuffleboard rules may be stern, but they're fair. Keep these shuffleboard rules in mind for your next tournament or even as a way wrangle your slow-playing friends at home. They weren't put together by any malevolent group of officials who want to make the games less enjoyable; they're made by people who are just as passionate about the game as we are and want each and every shuffleboard game to be as enjoyable and efficient as possible.