Shuffleboard Instructions

Basics

• You can play singles or doubles shuffleboard. Designate a judge to make any close calls for when you cannot easily determine if a disc actually touches a line or is within legal play.

  Use two different-color sets of four discs; try to use traditional colors (black and yellow) for convenient identification. Ensure that the discs each measure 6 inches in diameter, have equal thickness (between 9/16 of an inch and 1 inch) and weigh no more than 15 oz. Use a 6 1/2-foot cue, which is a long pole with two short prongs at its end, to shoot/slide your discs.

  If you win the coin toss to see who goes first, you get the yellow discs. Place the four yellow discs within the left half of the 10-off area, which is between the scoring triangle and the baseline, and the black discs within the right side. A small thin triangle in the middle of this area indicates each side's middle boundary.

  Take turns with your opponent, shooting one disc at a time. Start your shot from within the 10-off area on your side; you must shoot and land your disc within the opposing scoring triangle to score. It's acceptable if your disc strikes another disc. Aside from trying to get your disc into a scoring area, try knocking your opponent's discs out of play or into the 10-off area.

Scoring

• The amount of points you earn for each disc depends on the the areas in which your discs land. The tip of the triangle is a 10-point zone, and behind the tip are two seven-point squares and two eight-point squares. To score the marked amount, you must land your whole disk within one of the scoring areas and not have it touch any other area's outside lines.

  While you and other players may determine the number of points you want to play to (as well as a pre-set number of rounds), 75 points usually is the required total to win shuffleboard. However, score your points only when you and your opponent have played all eight discs.

Bad Shots and Penalties

• Remove your disc from play under the following circumstances: If your disc fails to reach the farthest dead line, which is in front of the opposing 10-off area; if it tips off the edge of the court; or if your opponent knocks your disc off the court, in which you would then return your opponent's disc for him to replay.

  If you shoot your disc into the 10-off area, you lose 10 points, as you do if, while playing a disc, any part of your body goes beyond our touches the baseline. Subtract 10 points from your total if you shoot an opponent's disc. Take five points off your score if your disc touches the 10-off area line before you play it or if your disc touches the side line or the of the triangle while you play it.