Leagues offering Shuffleboard
History of Shuffleboard
In the 15th Century people in Great Britain played a game called “shove groat” in which a groat (a coin worth four pence) was shoved or slid down a table. The game was later known as shove-penny and was popular in England and its colonies. The game gained popularity and eventually the name was changed to shuffleboard.
The game matured when American cabinetmakers started making shuffleboard tables for the wealthy of New York City. By 1897, shuffleboard was as popular as prizefighting and baseball in the New York metropolitan area. By 1904 it’s popularity had spread to California. Shuffleboard grew to its greatest height in the 1950’s. Most major shuffleboard manufacturers sponsored nationwide shuffle board tournaments. These were the biggest tournaments ever held; one had 576 teams participating.
Interesting Fact: In 1848, in New Hanover, Pennsylvania, a case of “The State vs. John Bishop” was tried to decide the question, “Is shuffleboard a game of chance or a game of skill?”. The judge ruled that, “Though the defendant kept a public gaming table, as charged, and though diverse persons played thereat and bet spirituous liquors on the game, the game was not a game of chance, but was altogether a game of skill.”
Rules
Teams
- Groups of four players will be elevated to team status. The league will match up any free agents or groups of less than four to form teams. No more than four players will be grouped together when merged by the league. Teams may have more players as alternates on their team to avoid forfeits and for use as Subs. For all teams a minimum of two players must be present to play in order to avoid a forfeit. In addition, if four or more players show up it is the discretion of the captain to rotate players into game play.
- Each team will have a captain, who will be the official representative to the league and will be responsible for communicating messages from the league. A co-captain is also highly encouraged.
- While phone numbers are option for regular players, all captains must ensure that their profiles have an accurate phone number listed. This is used during urgent communications between the league and captains and will never be shared with third parties.
- While phone numbers are option for regular players, all captains must ensure that their profiles have an accurate phone number listed. This is used during urgent communications between the league and captains and will never be shared with third parties.
- The day of game play captains will receive an email with the name, phone numbers, and email contact for the opposing team’s captain for that night. The email will also contain the name and location of the bar they are to meet at.
- Players must be registered (and paid in full) to play and to be counted towards a group’s Team Status.
Game Play
- Upon arrival captains will connect with their opponents. To ensure that the shuffleboard games are compt by the bar and to easily find opponents players are required to wear their Shuffleboard team shirts.
- If there are no other teams playing play can begin immediately.
- If the tables are occupied by other league teams captains will write their team names on the waiting list (white or chalk board provided by the bar) or verbally place themselves in line by speaking to the team currently playing.
- Teams will play two games. Each game will be played in pairs. Both games will play against the same team each night. Games should only run consecitively if there is no other team waiting to play their first game.
- Captains will print off score sheets from the website prior to arrival. They will be responsible for score keeping. If there is a dispute in score keeping, and it cannot be settled, captains and their teams will leave the area of play. Once all games of regular play have been completed the teams with disputes will re-enter the area of play and hold a rematch. Teams will then submit scores for their rematch to the league organizer through email.
- Games will follow official shuffleboard rules. See http://www.
shuffleboard.net/game_rules. html for details.
- Game play will run until one team reaches 16 points or 30 minutes elapses. Which ever occurs first.
Play Offs
- Standing in the league will be determined by wins and losses. The top 8 teams from each league will play a single elimination tournament to take place the 9th week. In addition, the first two teams to arrive and check in for the end of season party will also compete in the end of season tournament (for a total of 10 teams competing). The 9th and 10th teams must check in will ALL players present in order to be entered into the tournament.
- The location of the end of season tournament and party will be determined by a vote. Voting will open the day after the final night of regular season play. Each player will get one vote. The bar with the most votes will host the end of season party and tournament.
SPORTSMANSHIP:
- Teams are encouraged to introduce themselves at the start of their games. Competitors are also encouraged to shake hands afterward.
- While competition is encouraged, players should remain civilized and friendly at all times. Any player deemed to be acting in an unsportsmanlike manner can be reported to USS by players or bar staff. After receiving one report of unsportsmanlike behavior, a warning will be given. After a second report, the player will be suspended from one game. After a third report, the player will be removed from the league. Examples of unsportsmanlike behavior excessive badgering of players (cussing, shouting, heckling, etc.), excessively rude conduct to other bar patrons or bar staff, and/or cheating. League Reps will have final decision on any issues regarding enforcement of this rule.
