Shuffleboard Shots

Shuffleboard is a game that can be played adequately by novices and mastered by skilled, competitive players of any age. There are several shuffleboard shots to become acquainted with when learning the game, starting with the basic rail guided shot. Each shot takes practice and the way they are executed depends on how each individual is most comfortable doing so. With no specific way that a weight can be held, guided, and executed, each player can have their own style and grip while playing the game.

The most basic of shuffleboard shots, the rail guide shot involves using the rail as a guide in placing the shot or hitting the opponents’ weight. You can execute a straight rail shot or aim across the board by using a cross board shot. Players can hold one or more fingers along the rail to help guide their aim. This is such in the span shot, with the user rests their pinky finger on the rail and holds the weight with their thumb and forefinger, and the thumb shot with just the thumb placed in the center of the weight.

This is a three finger side Rail Guide Shot where you are use the side of the Shuffleboard as a guide to make the shot.

Here is an example of a two finger rail guide       Shuffleboard Shot.

Thumb Shot Shuffleboard Shot with just the thumb placed in the center of the weight.








The rail does not have to be used as a guide. A free-hand shot can be an alternative which makes it easier to hit or pass the opponent’s weight. Strategic shuffleboard shots also include the double takeout shot, or the removal of 2 opposing weights using one shot. With a nudge or bump shot, you’ll be able to use one weight to push another into a higher scoring position, or to pass your opponent’s weight.

If you want to protect one of your weights in the scoring zone, you can use a guard cover shot to position a weight into the guard zone. This makes it hard for your opponent to hit the deepest, and highest scoring, puck. There are also even more strategic shuffleboard shots, such as the go-around shot, in which you curl the released weight with the intent of it landing behind an opponent’s scoring puck. A split-shot can also make the game more difficult for your opponent. This involves throwing one weight to strike another, causing them to stop but not fall off the board, hopefully in the scoring zone. The opponent will have a harder time deciding which to hit or in executing a double takeout.

Other advantageous shuffleboard shots are the wick shot, in which your shot puck touches a stationary one to change its direction; a stun/stick shot, to knockoff an opponent’s puck so that you can have a shot at one in the scoring area; and a freeze shot to strike one weight/puck with another causing them both to come to a stop on the board. The main objectives of all these shuffleboard shots serve to place your weight strategically, attack your opponent’s, or block your weights from attack and all give you an edge in winning the game.

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