Shuffleboard



"Shuffleboard, more precisely deck shuffleboard, and also known as floor shuffleboard, is a game in which players use cues to push weighted discs, sending them gliding down a narrow court, with the purpose of having them come to rest within a marked scoring area. As a more generic term, it refers to the family of shuffleboard-variant games as a whole.

"The full history of shuffleboard is not known. Though there is some knowledge of its development, its actual origins, the place and date where it was first played, remain a mystery. Inevitably, this uncertainty gives rise to some debate, even disagreement, about which country can claim to have invented it. However there is no dispute concerning its age as a form of popular amusement, and in Europe has a history that goes back over 500 years.

"The game was played and gambled over by King Henry VIII of England, who prohibited commoners from playing; evidently he did not always win, as the record of royal expenses for 1532 shows a payment from the Privy Purse of GB£9, "Paied to my lord Wylliam for that he wanne of the kinges grace at shovillaborde" (today's spelling: "Paid to Lord William, for he won, by the king's grace, at shovelboard").

"In its goals, form and equipment, shuffleboard shares various features with (and perhaps influences by or upon) many other games, including air hockey, bowls, bocce, curling, croquet, carrom and billiards. Historically, the ancient shovelboard, about which little is known, appears to have diverged into modern shuffleboard and sjoelen, and with the former leading to the development of both table shuffleboard and shove ha'penny.

"Today, due to its popularity on cruise ships, in retirement homes and companies (such as Arm) because of its low physical fitness requirements, the deck game is often associated with the elderly, though it is increasingly popular[citation needed] among younger generations. Its miniaturized tabletop variant is very popular in bars and pubs."  (wikipedia)

"The World's Largest Shuffleboard Courts continue to delight the spunky, geriatric populace of St. Pete's -- Shuffleboard Capital of the World. The Courts are large -- though no Bonneville Salt Flats. Still, in the summer, which is when we are usually in the neighborhood, you could bake and die here. We've never actually seen anyone out playing shuffleboard, but we've heard that the courts can be very busy during scheduled weekly events," the Roadside America reports.

"The legendary Shuffleboard Hall of Fame is on the same property -- a trailer that must be unlocked by a member of the Shuffleboard Club. Ask at the front desk for someone to show you around.

"Inside the trailer, you'll find the world's most complete collection of shuffleboard irons, as well as the Hall Of Fame itself, which enshrines such shuffleboard luminaries as Mae Hall and Lucy Perkins. Don't forget to check out the display of historic pucks!"

World's Largest Shuffleboard Club

"The game is played on long, flat courts. Players slide discs along the court with a cue, attempting to land them in a triangle on the opposite end. It doesn’t require much physical exertion, and Saint Pete’s courts were open-air, so an evening at the Shuffleboard Club was as much a social event as it was a sporting event," the Atlas Obscura reports.

"The Club itself was a beautiful place to be, too. With a Spanish-tiled roof and the wash of hanging lamplight, the colors of sundresses and seersucker suits must have looked like a watercolor (hence the many postcards bearing images of the club). When taking a break from the court, guests could stroll along moonlit Mirror Lake. It was a fun, romantic spot for tourists and locals alike.

"Now, the popularity of shuffleboard in St. Petersburg is on an uptick. You can still become a member of the club, but everyone is invited to shuffle on Friday nights, when admission is free. On Fridays in Saint Pete though, St. Pete Shuffle is BYOB."

"The facility is run and maintained by members and hired tradesmen when needed. I heard and have read on Yelp, that the Club quite a social magnet on any weekend night. Members are allowed BYOB, but no glass on the courts. The game relatively simple in concept, but saturated with strategy, fine handled Cue technique, and teamwork. Needless to say, I DON'T REMEMBER THE FINAL SCORE! Despite my convenient loss of memory, this was one unforgettable Grand Good Olde Time!"

"A few years back when someone to play shuffleboard I thought they were nuts! I am now a member of a very fun organization. For $40 a year you too can become a member. You can play whenever you want! You can bring some friends, drinks food and even your own music. On Friday nights it is free for even non-members. It is run by volunteers who are always so friendly."

" We are so glad we had our wedding here. From the beginning, the staff was easy to work with and remained attentive and helpful in the planning. The on-site employee on the day-of was so friendly, taught our guests how to play shuffleboard and saved our day after a major vendor screwed up. Beyond that, the price is very reasonable. The tradeoff is it's all pretty much DIY, but that didn't create any trouble for us and actually worked in our favor as we were able to bring food truck vendors to cater our wedding for a very unique reception that our guests are still raving about. We cannot be more pleased we went with the Shuffleboard Club -- a day we will never forget!"

"You can bring 1-3 guests to fill up a court. The leagues compete on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The courts are all outdoors, so beware during summer nights that it's hot outside. You will need bug spray. The bathrooms are not air conditioned either, and from the times that I've been to the Club, they're usually locked. You can bring your own snacks and beverages in a cooler. However, you cannot drink out of glass. You can have glass bottles and then transfer the beverages to a cup. There are no concessions sold here. Each court has its own benches for seating, and there is a grand stand of covered seating for observers."

"This is a fun place to go to play shuffleboard, and it is a great place for a casual event. I have been to family events here twice, and both were great. There is plenty of room for tables and catering, you can bring your own beer (they only have limited refrigerator space, so bring your own coolers or plan accordingly), and there's tons of parking around. The best thing: you get to play shuffleboard during the party!"