Shuffleboard Game Knock Off Game Rules
This game can be played in singles one-on-one or with two teams of two people Team members play at opposite ends of the board and remain there for the duration of the game. Games are played until one team scores 15-points is the winner. It is optional to play the game to a score of 21 points, but it is not very common. In Tournament play the director will designate whether you are playing "Short Foul Line” or “Long Foul Line” (note most tournaments will play the Short Foul Line rules.In "Short Foul Line" Knock Off game the pucks are considered in-play when they are on the board and past the foul line closest to the shooter.
In "Long Foul Line" Knock Off game the pucks are considered in-play when they are on the board and past the foul line on the opposite end of the board as the shooter. It is important to note that most home games are played on 14 foot tables or shorter that only have one foul line in the center of the table so you would play a single foul line rule which would put pucks in play only if they are past the center line or only foul line on a shorter table.
Play may start from either end of the board which can be determined by a flip of a coin by either player. Then shooting order and weight color you will let your opponent flip a coin to choose the color of pucks. The winner of the flip may elect to choose the color or the hammer. The (hammer) is the last shot or 4th puck in a round. Now the fun and play will start and the team without the hammer shoots first. It is considered an advantage to have the hammer because you get the last shot in any round. Players continue to alternate shooting until all 4 pucks of each team's color are used. At this time, points are counted and play continues from the opposite end. The team which scored points on the previous round must shoot first on the next round. If no points are scored on the preceding round (e.g., all weights are knocked off) than the hammer changes. In other words, the team that had the hammer during the round where no points were scored must shoot first the next round. Play continues in this manner until one team reaches the designated points usually 15 points.
How to keep Score - Only one team scores in a round. The team which has the puck closest to the end of the board scores all the points in that round. Only the pucks that are ahead of your opponent's deepest weight (closest to the end of the board) are added together for the score for that round. A weight scores 1-point if it is located between the designated foul line and the "2" line. Weights completely across the "2" or "3" line count 2-points or 3-points, respectively. To judge if a weight is completely over the line it should be viewed from above (i.e., look down over the top of the weight. Again, the entire weight must be over the line for it to count as the next higher point value. You should be able to see some wood between the line and the weight.
If any portion of the weight is hanging over the end of the board is called a "hanger" and counts 4-points. Close calls can be checked by holding a weight so the top of a weight is along the back end of the board. The weight is then slid along the back end of the board. If it hits the hanger the puck then it is worth 4-points instead of 3-points.
Shuffleboard Table Other General Rules -
Before a player shoots, the player can dust the board if dry spots are showing
Shooters must have one foot behind the playing surface while they are shooting. Hitting or shaking the table is never allowed
Tournament rules may vary and check with the Tournament director for specific Tournament rules.
For other Shuffleboard Games See Below
Shuffleboard Game Horse Collar
We hope you find these Game Rules and Tips helpful for enjoyment of your Shuffleboard Table.
