The Differences Between Table Shuffleboard & Ground Shuffleboard

Have you ever heard people talking about shuffleboard and found yourself confused by the mixed messages? Maybe you've been invited to a shuffleboard game, only to find a group of people standing around carrying sticks? Table shuffleboard and ground shuffleboard are two popular games with similar ancestry but very different styles, which can confuse anyone unfamiliar with them. To help, we've put together information on the biggest differences between the two: the playing fields and how points are handled.

First, let's focus on something we're partial to at McClure: shuffleboard tables. These wooden creations range from 9 feet to 22 feet long. They also have a trough running around the actual playing field to prevent the metal pucks, or weights, from falling to the ground and breaking or denting the floor. Since table shuffleboard requires a smooth surface for the weights to slide properly, they must be constantly waxed. This "shuffleboard wax" is actually tiny silicone beads that act as ball bearings, allowing the weights to slide across. Ground shuffleboard, on the other hand, can be played on any flat surface, roughly 39 feet long by 6 feet wide, with scoring triangles at each end so players won't have to constantly walk back and forth. Though these playing fields can be large, they don't require the waxing that shuffleboard tables do. Today, you can find roll-up shuffleboard decks that can be placed anywhere, so long as there's space available, of course.

This is where things might get a bit tricky for those who aren't experienced players. Shuffleboard tables are usually divided into three rectangular sections at the ends, separated by horizontal lines. These lines indicate the one, two, and three-point scoring fields, with the one-point field closest to the player. Sliding a weight into one of these fields scores the allotted points, but a puck that hangs over the edge at the three-point field will receive four points instead. Any puck that falls into the trough is worth no points, including any that are knocked there from a four-point position. Ground shuffleboard, on the other hand, is a bit more complex. The scoring field is instead a large triangle, with the point facing the player, which is broken into smaller sections. The very tip of the section closest to the player is the 10-point zone, followed by the eight-point zones and the seven-point zones. In deck shuffleboard, the highest scoring part is closest to the player, not furthest. There's also a section at the far end of the triangle that will deduct 10 points from the player if their disk or biscuit lands there. Even though there are a few differences between ground and table shuffleboard, this little guide should get you started on the path towards enlightenment and prevent any embarrassing situations from cropping up around the water cooler. Who knows, maybe bestowing a little bit of wisdom onto your friends and family will get them interested in the games as well!