How Long Is Regulation Shuffleboard Table

The Best Shuffleboard Table Buying Guide

Our shuffleboard table buying guide is the perfect companion for anyone looking to buy the best indoor shuffleboard table, whether for personal use in a recreational room at home or for commercial use in a bar.

We will teach you everything there is to know before making a final decision, including the quality of table materials and how they affect play, how much space you need for a shuffleboard table, the types of surface finishes, wax, pucks, and so much more!

OFFICIAL SHUFFLEBOARD TABLE SIZE

Regulation size shuffleboard tables (also known as tournament tables) are 22 feet long by 20 inches wide. The cradle, which is the narrow area surrounding the playing surface, adds inches to these dimensions, so the actual size is around 23 feet long and 31 inches wide.

Remember that you also must leave a free space of at least 2 feet around the table for the players to maneuver around, which means that having a regulation size shuffleboard table requires a room that is at least 26 feet long and 8 feet wide.

BEST SHUFFLEBOARD TABLE SIZE FOR YOUR HOME

Talking about the “best” size for a shuffleboard table is a little subjective. More often than not, the conversation is about what table size you can fit at home instead of which table size you want. A 22 feet long table will give you the ideal shuffleboard experience, but a smaller table can provide a similar feel and endless hours of fun. After all, a smaller shuffleboard table works better than having no shuffleboard table at all, right?

Here is a list of the most commonly available table sizes and their advantages:

8 foot shuffleboard table: Generally considered the smallest shuffleboard table that can still provide an acceptable playing surface. Honestly, this is recommended only for when you don’t have the space but just gotta have that shuffleboard experience.
9 foot shuffleboard table: First of all, it’s much easier to clean and maintain than a 22 feet monster. The smaller size also makes it easier to fit more than one table into a single room, and it also makes the game more accessible for newbies and children. While best suited for casual play, it also favors a more controlled style of playing.
12 foot shuffleboard table: Another good fit for casual players and to get more tables inside a single room, the 12 foot table is excellent for businesses. Similar to the 9 feet table in play feel.
14 foot shuffleboard table: The 14 feet table is at the threshold between small and medium sized shuffleboard tables. It’s still small enough for casual players and beginners, but offers enough room for more varied styles of play. Perfect for people who want a good shuffleboard experience but for whom space is still a concern.
16 foot shuffleboard table: A mid-range table, 16 feet offers a similar experience to a full table but is not completely alien to newcomers. Overall a good upgrade over the 14 feet table if you can spare the extra 2 feet in length.
18 foot shuffleboard table: The 18 foot table is a great addition to any rec room that can fit it, whether a business or at home. For a business, the size of the table will be most attractive to people who are already into the game, meaning that the added challenge will keep them coming back. Meanwhile, as a table for personal use, the length is not too far away from full size, so the experience is quite similar even if you can’t afford the space for one.
20 foot shuffleboard table: The second best option for shuffleboard lovers after regulation size, plain and simple.
22 foot shuffleboard table: This is regulation size, which means it’s the official size used in tournaments. If you can fit this table at home, you’re set!

You also have to think about the people more than the shuffleboard table, in a sense. We are talking about elbow space, room for other people to sit back and watch, a healthy distance away from fragile things such as windows or decorations (there’s always a player who loves wild shots), and the space required for players to maneuver.

CUSTOM SHUFFLEBOARD SIZES

If you have very specific space-related issues and want a table that fits those to a tee, then your best bet is to have a table specifically designed for your room. A specially designed custom shuffleboard table will not only be made in the size you order, but will also use your preferred type of wood, pucks, finishes, and more.

Remember, however, that this will also make the table that much more expensive than a regular table made in one of the sizes offered by the manufacturer.

Shuffleboard Tables For Narrow Spaces

If the only available room in your home is still very narrow, you probably should consider a table on the smaller size range. Unless you’re a professional or a hardcore shuffleboard player, an 8 to 12 feet long table will be sufficiently small to acommodate even after taking everything else into consideration.

How To Get The Best Shuffleboard Table

There are so many things to consider when buying a shuffleboard (nay, the perfect shuffleboard table) that you might soon feel overwhelmed.

BEST MATERIALS FOR YOUR TABLE

There are many choices in the materials used to build each shuffleboard. Each option will change the price of the shuffleboard table in addition to the appearance, so make sure to explore the type of wood and finish you want before making a purchase. If you search for opinions you will find that each type of wood has as many raving defenders as outspoken detractors, so read up and down before making your decision! The following is a list of the most popular materials used in the construction of quality shuffleboard tables:

Poplar
North American Maple Wood
White Maple
Russian Birch
Canadian Soft Maple
Maple
Birch
Oak
Mahogany

THICKNESS OF YOUR PLAYING FIELD

The thickness of a shuffleboard table surface board ranges from 1.5 to 3 inches. The latter is probably the most common measure and it results from the thickness of the board itself plus the sealants and surface finishers, so it’s a good rule of thumb to follow.

Also, remember that the surface board is not supposed to be completely flat! A shuffleboard table is supposed to be slightly concave.

SURFACE FINISH

Back in the day, shuffleboard tables used to be made of harder woods on average, and the surface finish was done using shellac or lacquer. Because the materials used for the surface were applied in thin layers, the table itself needed to be re-coated often to avoid damaging the wood. On top of that, early lacquers were found to be hazardous.

Nowadays, surface finishes are made of stronger materials such as epoxy and polyurethane synthetic polymers. These materials, paired with a hard wood base and solid construction, means that your table will be able to resist more hits without denting. However, this doesn’t mean that one is necessarily better than the other.

Here are some of the pros and cons of each material:

USING WAX OR POWDER ON YOUR TABLE

Shuffleboard wax has several names, but all are created to do the same thing. Other names for shuffleboard table wax are shuffleboard sand or shuffleboard powder. By any name, it is considered an essential part of indoor shuffleboard competition.

Tiny silicone beads and ground corn make up the shuffleboard wax. The goal is to help the puck glide smoothly and quickly from one end of the table to the other.

“There are many different types of wax available, and it is important to get the right kind for your table length and expertise level. Slower waxes allow for more friction, and thus make the puck glide slower. This is ideal for small tables and inexperienced players. Faster waxes are good for long tables and professional play, as it requires more skill. Fast waxes are NOT recommended for short tables.” (source) Shuffleboard wax is sprinkled on the table before a game begins.Shuffleboard table wax (also known as shuffleboard shuffleboard powder, shuffleboard sand, and by many other names) is a substance used to help the puck easily glide from one end of the table to another, making it a key component of the shuffleboard experience… for some people.

The very usage of wax in shuffleboard is the subject of some debate among players, but this section is written under the assumption that you have already chosen to use it and are looking for the best option available.

But what is shuffleboard wax made of? The most common components of shuffleboard wax are diminutive silicone balls and ground corn (which explains why it’s also called “shuffleboard dust”). There are different types of wax which should be chosen depending on the size of your table. A longer table will benefit from a “faster” type of wax, but a shorter table will need the “slower” type to keep the puck from flying off from end to end each turn.

Other Considerations Before Getting a Shuffleboard Table

PUCKS AND BOWLING PINS

Shuffleboard requires pucks, also called weights, which are topped with hard plastic caps. The best quality pucks are made with heavy chrome-plated steel and are perfectly balanced for control and speed.

Pins are used for shuffleboard bowling, a fun game which focuses more on technique and control than regular bowling. They are usually made out of solid wood and include a setter, or triangle, with which to arrange them on the table.

You will find pucks in two different sizes:

CLIMATIC ADJUSTER

As you probably know, temperature changes cause wood to expand or shrink, which means that seasonal changes will affect your table, along with humidity in the air.

Location is a factor, of course, but even if you live in a place with very mild temperatures you shouldn’t outright discount your table swelling or shrinking, because that can cause bowing, and suddenly you don’t have a viable playing surface anymore!

Climate adjusters will help you adjust just how convex or concave your table will be. This is entirely up to preference (outside of professional settings, of course), but most people will choose to have their tables slightly concave to make it harder for pucks to fly off the edges.

CABINET DESIGN

Not all shuffleboard tables are made the same. Many modern shuffleboard factories make laminated tables, which can be good for commercial use but won’t quite have the right “feel” to them that shuffleboard lovers are looking for. These establishments might opt for a cabinet made with particleboard or even MDF, meaning that the owners won’t be too sad if the tables get a little roughed up due to heavy use.

However, top-quality tables are made out of solid hardwood, eschewing the laminated materials for a shop-grade hardwood plan for the playing surface, and the body of the table is usually made of the same material, giving it a sturdier constitution. This is usually the choice for people who love shuffleboard enough to have a table in their home!

SCORE METER

If you already have a beautiful hardwood shuffleboard table and a set of high-quality pucks, why not complete the package with a shuffleboard score meter to play in style? Sure, you can probably use a piece of paper to keep score, but having a dedicated piece of equipment makes it all so much more official.

There are all sorts of score meters, from electronic units offering a plethora of options to simple analog pieces like elegant wood-and-brass meters where you slide the meter like in the old times. Some of them have to be installed into your table, however, so be careful when making the choice.

The Final Step: Buying a Shuffleboard Table

There’s no way around the fact that high-end tables (and even some mid-range ones) tend to be expensive. That is to be expected because of the quality of materials and the craftsmanship that goes into making them. If we are talking about a handcrafted, made-to-order table, we are probably looking at a $6,000 to $10,000 price tag.

Those prices might seem too high, but considering that those tables will last you for years and years through heavy use while looking their absolute best (if you take care of them), you are definitely getting the best value for your money.

If you only want a table to play and don’t care too much about the finer details, a readymade table that is still of decent quality will probably cost around $2,000, but you can find some for as low as $800. Be advised, however, that you are definitely not getting top-of-the-line stuff for this price!

WHERE TO BUY A SHUFFLEBOARD TABLE?

When choosing where to get your shuffleboard table from, you need to look at four main points:

They offer a big selection of tables.
They guarantee a fair price — no hidden costs or fees.
They offer top-notch customer service at every stage of your purchase.
Their tables come with a warranty.

And you think there can be no manufacturers who offer those benefits, think again!

REFINISHING YOUR SHUFFLEBOARD TABLE

There’s a chance you already own a shuffleboard table, are looking to have it refinished, and stumbled on this guide somehow. Well, we have some tips for you too.

Remember that most boards need refinishing because the old finish has worn off – perhaps it’s more notable on a particular section of the table than the other. Because of that, you might think that you can just have one section of the table refinished, but this isn’t really practical enough to be offered as a service. Chances are that you will need to have the whole table refinished, but that’s probably for the best at this point.

If you’re looking at severe dents on the surface, or even a cracked board, it might be nearly impossible to repair. You are going to want an expert to actually look at the table before getting a final verdict, but you should also start looking at replacement options.

Shuffleboard FAQ

How much space do I need to fit a shuffleboard table in a room?

Aside from the space occupied by your table, you also must leave a free space of at least 2 feet around the table for the players to maneuver around. For example, a regulation size shuffleboard table requires a room that is at least 26 feet long and 8 feet wide.

What is a tournament size shuffleboard table?

What is a climate adjuster?

The climate adjuster for a shuffleboard table is essentially a pair of supporting beams holding a threaded stud that are installed under the table itself. They are used to create a very slight bend in the playing surface.

Do temperature changes damage shuffleboard tables?If your shuffleboard table is made out of wood, it will be susceptible to temperature, causing it to bow and bend. This shouldn’t cause any permanent damage if you take good care of it, but you can use climatic adjusters to keep it in working condition.

What is shuffleboard sand?

Also known as wax or powder, shuffleboard sand is a special material used to keep the puck from damaging the table surface with friction and to make it glide smoothly from one end of the table to the other. Other names for it are shuffleboard silicone, sawdust, and silicone.

Which wax is best for my shuffleboard table?

Wax comes in different types of “speed” that are better suited for different types of players. Beginners will find the “slow” wax more accessible because it allows for greater control, while advanced players will prefer “fast” wax because it allows for more challenging plays. You should also take the table’s size into consideration; even if you are an advanced player, you should avoid using “fast” wax if you’re playing on a 9 foot table.

How can I give my shuffleboard table maintenance?

Modern production methods mean that your shuffleboard table is probably built to last for decades, even a lifetime, but you can help it get there through some minor maintenance. You should clean and glaze your playing surface at least once per month using a non-bleach cleaner or special shuffleboard wipes. Also, a silicone shuffleboard spray will help you cut down the amount of wax you have to use each time you play.

How much does a shuffleboard table weigh?

The weight of your shuffleboard table will depend on a variety of factors, such as the material used for construction and the thickness of the surface board. However, you can usually expect the whole thing to weigh 800-1200 lbs.

How often does the playfield have to be refinished?

Speaking generally, if your table has a polymer surface finish then you probably won’t ever have to resurface it through normal use. However, if it gets damaged because of improper use, very poor maintenance, or leaving it exposed to the elements, you probably will have to resurface the whole table since this process can’t be conveniently done in sections.