Shuffleboard is no longer your grandparents’ game. It’s reemerged as the new hip game all the cool kids are getting into. Erik Hahmann, just 31 years old, is the youngest pro player in Florida, but his youth does nothing for him during competitions. While many sports rely on physical advantage, shuffleboard doesn’t. An 80-year-old woman has just as much of a chance to win as an 18-year-old male. It’s the strategy of this game that matters, and that’s why many people are intrigued about its recent wave in popular sports bars across the country.

The Rules of Shuffleboard

The game can be played in singles or doubles. You and your partner will take turns using the cue (tang) to shoot the discs (biscuits) into a painted triangle at the end of the board. Different parts of the triangle are worth different points, much like the game of darts, and if you land in the “kitchen,” you lose 10 points. Players attempt to knock their opponents’ biscuits away from a scoring position. While the game has historically been played on a larger scale similar to bowling—as frequently seen on cruise ships—nowadays you’re more likely to come across it as a tabletop pastime, similar in size to air hockey.

Where Does Strategy Come Into It?

Many serious players compare this sport to that of chess. Where and how you shoot will not only determine the number of points you can accumulate but also how vulnerable your biscuit is to being knocked out by the opposing team, thus losing all those same points. Some shuffle strategy involves hiding and blocking your biscuits as well as taking the last shot. Those who take the game seriously study up on the best ways to maximize damage to their opponents.

Can It Be Played Casually?

Shuffleboard doesn’t have to be taken as seriously as league players do. It’s traditionally played up to 75 points, but less intense frames and rounds can be agreed upon for casual fans. A major selling point for the new generation of players who frequent sports bars and pool halls is the ability to play without being athletic. Perhaps best of all, you only need one hand—while the other holds a drink from the bar.

If you’re interested in checking out the hype for yourself, visit The Office Lounge in Foley, AL. It’s the only indoor shuffleboard in the area that also boasts 10 pool tables in the pool hall. Come for the games, live music, and the stocked bar. Visit their website for more info or call (251) 943-2210 with any additional questions.