|
|
Time to read 8 min
Rock-Ola is best known today for its classic jukeboxes, but in the late 1940s, the company also produced some of the most recognizable shuffleboard tables ever built.
Following World War II, shuffleboard became extremely popular in taverns, arcades, VFW halls, and other social gathering places across the United States. Companies like Rock-Ola began producing coin-operated shuffleboard tables designed for commercial locations.
These tables were built to be durable and visually distinctive, often featuring the famous horse-collar design and electro-mechanical score units mounted on a pole above the cabinet.
Although they were built on a factory production line, many of these tables became icons of mid-century recreation.
Today, original Rock-Ola tables are considered collectible pieces of American gaming history.
Rock-Ola shuffleboard tables were produced primarily in 1948 and 1949 during the post-World War II boom in tavern and arcade games. Although thousands were manufactured, relatively few survive today with their original playboards and electromechanical score units.
This article explores the history of Rock-Ola shuffleboard tables, how many were produced, why manufacturing stopped, and what determines their value today. It also explains how antique Rock-Ola tables compare to modern versions built today using improved hardwood construction and manufacturing techniques.
Table of contents
The Rock-Ola Shuffleboard Tables were made in 1948 and 1949; they were stamped and numbered. In our best estimate, they made over 15,000 tables in those two years. This estimate is based on the range of serial numbers we have seen or heard other restoration companies mention, including the highest number they have seen. If you look at the old Billboard magazine archives, you will find several manufacturers of shuffleboard tables in this period, right after World War II. At that time, Shuffleboard tables were mass-produced and used as arcade or vending games. Look in 1947 and 1948, you will see ads for many shuffleboard tables and some articles in the magazines. Most of the tables went into VFW halls, clubs, and bars. They had leagues where players gathered in teams of 4 to play the most common game, horse collar. In this game, the team throws all eight pucks down the board in one inning or turn, and the object is to add up the score of all pucks, not knock any pucks off the board.
There was a lawsuit between American Shuffleboard and Rock-Ola about the patent that American had filed on the climatic adjusters. Rock-ola soon discontinued the manufacturing of shuffleboard tables. The motivation is not primarily due to the lawsuit, but rather to the other opportunities in the arcade game industry. Pinball machines were coming out about this time, and a vendor could put in a row of them in place of one shuffleboard table, generating more revenue. In our estimate, most of the shuffleboard tables made were discarded. The tables themselves are not that rare, but the electromechanical score units are much more scarce. They are also difficult to repair as the parts and the people who can repair them are hard to find. We at McClure Tables restore the cabinets and playboards, but we do not restore the electromechanical score units. We have a person we have used in the past who has assisted us in repairing them.
We restore about 3 to 4 shuffleboard tables per year, usually just the playboard, not the entire table. Look for future articles about the restoration process. This article will focus on the value and history of Rock-Ola Shuffleboard tables. We get about 10 to 15 calls per year from families who have discovered an antique table, or from customers who have found one and want to know what it is worth. They see them on eBay or posted on various sites for prices ranging from 12,000 to 20,000 or more, fully restored. The problem is that many different hobbyists, woodworkers, or shuffleboard enthusiasts restore old tables and resell them. They often do not take any of the original antique value into the restoration process, and they make the tables look brand new. Any Antique dealer or appraisal expert will tell you that the more done to an antique, the more the value is hurt.
So often, the tables are devalued by the restoration rather than enhanced. In all the tables we have ever seen, we have only had one original and did not need restoration. The problem with the value of the tables is that we have about 60-80 hours of labor in the restoration process. We charge $5500 to $6500 for restoration services. Then we often have to travel great distances to get the antique table out of a basement, where we need at least 4 men to pull it out. The cost to pick up an antique table can range from $1000 to $ 2000 in labor. So you can easily see that we can invest up to $8500 in an antique table before paying the seller anything for it. McClure Tables also owns the trademark and continues to make new Rock-Ola Shuffleboard tables today. We have a little less time making a new Rock-Ola than restoring an old one, and the original table cabinets used Tulipwood or Poplar for the legs and horse collar. Today, our original Rock-Ola tables are made with premium woods for the legs and horse collar, such as American Hard Maple, American Black Walnut, or American Cherry. So we are much more partial to our new models than antique Rock-Ola tables. The other problem with the antique tables is they were only available in 18 feet or 22-foot, with 95% of them in the larger size. The 22-foot table across all the models and styles of custom handcrafted shuffleboard tables McClure offers is less than 10% of our annual sales. Then, with limited sales of Antique Rock-Ola tables, we cannot pay anything for used or antique tables. We currently have over 5 of them, with two fully restored and available for sale on our website in the Antique Shuffleboard Tables. We have a few more, and even an old American Shuffleboard table, which we plan to restore and offer for sale on our website soon. Other posts to come on the restoration process of antique Shuffleboard tables.
Original Rock-Ola shuffleboard tables were built for commercial environments where durability and serviceability were important.
The cabinets typically used woods such as poplar, which was commonly used in factory production because it was easy to machine and sand. Poplar could also be stained to resemble darker hardwoods such as mahogany.
The playboards themselves were constructed using laminated hardwood planks, although the manufacturing methods used at the time were designed primarily for mass production rather than long-term stability.
As a result, many surviving original boards show signs of cracking or splitting after decades of use.
Despite these limitations, the Rock-Ola designs became some of the most recognizable shuffleboard tables ever produced.
Rock-Ola tables were popular after World War II, but the amusement industry changed quickly. While a patent lawsuit involving American Shuffleboard played a role, the bigger factor was the rapid growth of the arcade game industry.
Shuffleboard tables required significant floor space, while pinball machines generated higher revenue per square foot. An operator could replace one shuffleboard table, which earns around $100 per week, with multiple pinball machines that produce several times that amount. As a result, distributors shifted their focus away from shuffleboard.
This estimate is based on the range of serial numbers observed on surviving tables. The highest serial number we have personally seen is in the 10,000 range. Rock-Ola manufactured shuffleboard tables only during 1948 and 1949.
Yes, they are among the few antique shuffleboard tables that still retain meaningful collector value.
Two factors have the biggest impact on value:
The table still has its original Rock-Ola playboard.
The table includes the original electromechanical score unit.
Tables missing either component typically sell for less.
Yes, the electromechanical score units are actually much rarer than the tables themselves.
We estimate that only a few hundred original score units still exist today. Many were removed when tables were discarded or stopped working, and repairing them today requires specialized knowledge and parts that are difficult to find.
Most of the tables produced in the late 1940s eventually disappeared.
Many were discarded when bars and clubs remodeled or closed. Others were removed when arcade operators replaced them with newer coin-operated games. Some survived because families purchased them from old taverns or clubs and installed them in homes or basements.
We are often asked whether someone should purchase an antique Rock-Ola table or a newly built one.
In most cases, I recommend a new table—not simply to make a sale, but because modern woodworking techniques allow us to build them better today.
The original Rock-Ola cabinets were typically made from poplar, a softer wood chosen because it was easy for factories to machine and finish quickly. Today we build Rock-Ola tables using higher-quality hardwoods such as Michigan hard maple, American cherry, and American black walnut.
While antique electromechanical score units have a nostalgic sound and appearance, they are often unreliable. Numbers can stick, and finding someone who can repair them is increasingly difficult.
For customers who love the historic look, we have occasionally paired an original restored score unit with a newly built Rock-Ola table. This preserves the vintage character while providing the reliability and performance of modern construction.
Yes. McClure Tables owns the Rock-Ola trademark and continues to build new Rock-Ola shuffleboard tables based on the original 1948 and 1949 designs. Modern versions maintain the classic styling while using improved hardwood construction and modern manufacturing techniques.
To see modern versions of these classic designs, view our Rock-Ola Shuffleboard Tables collection.
Todd McClure
is the founder and owner of McClure Tables, with nearly five decades of experience in the billiards and game room industry. His background includes retail operations, professional installation, factory representation, and international contract manufacturing. After decades of industry involvement, he decided to bring production back to the United States. Today, McClure Tables manufactures handcrafted shuffleboard tables in Michigan using solid hardwood construction and in-house fabrication methods. Updated in 2026
Comments
I have a Rock Ola Standard table and score board, but don’t have the fixture to hang the scoreboard in the middle. I would sell the board, it worked perfectly the last time I used it. Or, do you know where to find a chromed hoop to put it up?
Good morning I own a 22’ Rock Ola with original basket and all No scoreboard tho. I had it semi-restored a few years back with the playing surface refinished and basket touched up with a bit of minor repair but still pretty much in original condition minus some of metal trim pieces Just curious if there is a market for these and/or your thoughts on value I could send pictures if they would help Thx
Not a big market we sell them occasionally the problem is not many people have room for 22 foot size tables. They can be worth $1500 to $5000 on used market, fully restored tables we sell for a lot more.
My wife and I inherited a 1948 22-foot long Rock-Ola board. It used to be in a bar in Monroe, WI, until the 19119205986599s and therefore it saw a lot of abuse. But it is still charming and enjoyable. I want to restore it and hear loud and clear your point that attempting to restore an antique may actually devalue it. It seems though, that sanding it and varnishing it is not a good idea. Right? How shall the wood be treated? The felt in the gutter is worn out and needs replacement. Also the diamond jewel glass pieces are mostly gone, the casters are definitely not the originals, and the Rock-Ola decals are faded. Any suggestions are welcome, thanks.
I’m looking to buy a 22’ shuffleboard table for my home. Where are you located and what is your asking price?
