If you are thinking of adding shuffleboard to your list of recreation options for customers, it is beneficial to research shuffleboard equipment pricing and costs to get the best deal. Shuffleboard supplies can be a great addition to any recreation facility. It is a game the whole family can play and is a relatively inexpensive addition to a game room or recreation center. There are many factors to consider when setting your shuffleboard budget. You need to be clear on the costs associated with the court as well as the equipment that is required to play on the court. It is also important to think long term and anticipate additional costs, such as maintenance fees, that may come up down the road.

Consider the following when looking to install shuffleboard tables or outdoor shuffleboard equipment:

1. Do you have the room for an outdoor court or should you look into shuffleboard tables?

2. What type of shuffleboard supplies will you need to purchase in order for the game to get up and running?

3. Include maintenance and repair estimates when researching shuffleboard equipment pricing and costs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Decide whether indoor shuffleboard tables or outdoor shuffleboard courts are best for you

An outdoor shuffleboard court requires quite a financial and spatial investment. For the price of a can of outdoor paint, around $20, you can build your own shuffleboard court on any concrete or asphalt surface. For a more professional look, you can hire a contractor to build your court; however, keep in mind the additional cost for the labor. It is important to remember that if you don't already have a large enough outdoor surface, paying to lay concrete will greatly increase your cost. If you decide that an indoor shuffleboard table is better for your facility, be prepared to spend anywhere between $2,500 to $10,000. The price is dependant on several things including the length of the table, -- between 9 and 22 feet -- the thickness of the table, and the type of material.

I recommend: Construction Work gives you plans for building your own outdoor shuffleboard court. Gold Star Games explains the main differences between the different styles of shuffleboard tables.

Choose the appropriate shuffleboard equipment

It is important to consider that, although the outdoor set might initially cost less, there may be more maintenance required. To play outdoor shuffleboard you will need eight shuffleboard discs, four of two different colors for between $60 and $100. You will also need at least two shuffleboard poles, one for each player. Each one of the shuffleboard sticks costs between $20 and $40 depending on its quality. And the last basic item you will need for outdoor shuffleboard is wax. The wax only costs around $5 per pound but can be used up quickly depending on how often the court is in use. For an indoor table you also need a set of eight shuffleboard discs, obviously much smaller. They cost around $50 to $60 per set as well as a supply of wax.

I recommend: Shuffle Board Club provides a glossary of shuffleboard terms so you are clear on all aspects of playing shuffleboard. Shuffle Board Table outlines the main differences between indoor and outdoor shuffleboard.

Factor in replacement shuffleboard supply and maintenance

Consider that an outdoor court will experience more wear and tear due to its exposure to the elements so it's important to factor in re-surfacing fees that can run up to a few hundred dollars every couple years. If you are careful about making sure the equipment is stored inside, you may not have to replace the discs and shuffleboard cues as often, but eventually the parts on each cue will need to be replaced. Each of these parts are relatively inexpensive, less then $10, but should be factored into your overall budget. An indoor shuffleboard set will also need to be maintained with wax, but the table itself should not need much maintenance. A set of replacement indoor shuffleboard discs costs between $25 and $30.

I recommend: Poly Glide details equipment and court maintenance. M & S Sporting Goods answers some shuffleboard re-surfacing questions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Seriously determine the benefits and advantages of the different shuffleboard options before you make the investment. You'll want to create a return on investment model to be sure that your efforts are worth the time and money you put forth.

Shuffleboard is a popular game played at hotels, motels, cruise ships, retirement communities, gyms, game rooms, resorts and clubs, but it requires having the right shuffleboard equipment. If you are the owner, operator, or recreation manager of a business looking to generate some excitement in your recreation area and want to provide hours of enjoyment for players of all ages, shuffleboard is a great option for you.

There are two kinds of shuffleboard: table shuffleboard is played indoors on tables with contestants pushing weights to spots across the table; the second kind, deck (or floor) shuffleboard is played on outdoor or indoor courts, where players use shuffleboard poles with cues on the end to push discs across the court. There is a wide range of equipment for both types of shuffleboard games available to meet the needs of your business while providing a great source of enjoyment for your clientele.

To get started, however, you’ll first need to make some important decisions:

1. Will you need a table or court?
2. What kind of surface is best for your players?
3. What kind of shuffleboard equipment do you need to provide a high-performance game and still maintain the surface of your table or outdoor court over time?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consult with suppliers of shuffleboard equipment to pick the right deck surface

Deck courts can be made of plastic mats, which are easily installed inside or outside; wood, such as on the deck of a ship; concrete, which is durable but hard on the knees and joints; or customized plastic or rubber surfaces, which are common in multi-sport courts that often include courts for tennis, basketball, shuffleboard, and other outdoor sports.

I recommend: Planet Shuffleboard.com manufactures several models of easy-to-install, plastic shuffleboard courts. For a multi-sport surface, VersaCourt manufactures and installs custom-designed courts that are reported to provide orthopedic benefits for older players. Recreation Enterprises Inc. is the oldest established manufacturer of tournament quality shuffleboard equipment designed for use on public courts and for hotels, motels, cruise ships and resorts. They install courts and provide a variety of outdoor shuffleboard equipment, like glide cues, shuffleboard sticks, discs (also called pucks) and surfacing equipment.

If shuffleboard tables are right for you, choose from different styles

Pick from traditional boards, nonconventional tables, bumper tables and custom tables that will brighten up the game room at any resort, hotel, motel, or family game room.

I recommend: Willams Shuffleboard manufactures both traditional and nontraditional shuffleboard tables as well custom and bumper tables. They also offer shuffleboard scoreboards, maintenance equipment and a variety of high-quality weights for your table. One of the top providers of shuffleboard equipment, Venture Shuffleboards, creates high-performance shuffleboard tables as well as weights, scoreboards, T-squares, and maintenance equipment.

Complete your game with the right shuffleboard supplies and accessories

Once you've decided on a surface and have your court laid out and ready to go, you will need shuffleboard cues (which are affixed to the end of a shuffleboard pole, which is also known as a shuffleboard stick), scoreboards, and shuffleboard discs. If you have shuffleboard tables, you'll need weights and speed powders to maintain the speed and high performance of your table.

I recommend: Sun-Glo makes a wide range of speed powders, weights, maintenance products, scoreboards and other shuffleboard supplies. Danny Vegh's offers shuffleboard sticks and cues, shuffleboard discs, outdoor stencil, scoreboards, discs and weights and maintenance equipment. Mansion Athletics sells a variety of shuffleboard equipment and accessories, such as DOM and Allen shuffleboard cues, disc sets and maintenance equipment.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Your shuffleboard table will need regular maintenance to keep it in top shape. Purchase the products you will need up front, such as spray cleaner, silicon spray, paste wax and polish. You will also need a board wipe and a table cover to protect your cover from wear and tear.
• •  Some suppliers of shuffleboard equipment offer a starter package that includes everything you will need to start and maintain your shuffleboard table or court.
• •  Several manufacturers will customize your table or court to feature a company logo, which is a fun way to reinforce your brand.

Shuffleboard supplies; including shuffleboard discs, shuffleboard poles or shuffleboard sticks, shuffleboard cues and shuffleboard tables are essential for people interested in learning to play shuffleboard. Finding the right suppliers of shuffleboard equipment will get you the right equipment at a fair price.

Shuffleboard equipment for beginners can be found at sporting goods stores, outlets that cater to the shuffleboard industry, and over the Internet. You can find outdoor shuffleboard equipment and equipment for the indoor game, including used shuffleboard tables.

1. Look for a local shuffleboard supply house or find an Internet outlet you can rely on to buy shuffleboard equipment for beginners.

2. Decide if you prefer the indoor game or the outdoor game once you find some providers of shuffleboard equipment and can review the game.

3. Stock the shuffleboard supplies that best suit you and keep it where you can get to it and have fun.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn about the indoor game and outdoor game and decide what shuffleboard equipment you need

Indoor shuffleboard and outdoor shuffleboard are two different games; and beginners should look at both before deciding what equipment to buy and which shuffleboard supplies to ignore. Outdoor shuffleboard requires far more space and players need good weather. Indoor shuffleboard is more compact and can be played all year round.

I recommend: You can learn all about indoor, or table-top, shuffleboard at Shuffleboard.net. Beginners can learn the indoor rules and variations of the basic game. You can learn about the outdoor game at Shuffleboardtable.com. Information about the rules, history and equipment is available there.

Find local or online shuffleboard supply outlets to look at and buy your equipment

Some like to browse online and some like to touch and feel the shuffleboard cues, shuffleboard discs and various supplies. Beginners should be comfortable with the equipment they select.

I recommend: There is no better place than Online Sports to review sports equipment over the Internet. The Sports Authority is a national chain that carries shuffleboard equipment if you want to try before you buy.

Beginners can get good deals on used shuffleboard equipment

As a beginner, you may not be sure that shuffleboard is for you. If you want to hedge your bet a bit, try purchasing or renting used equipment and play the game a few times before you take the plunge on the purchase of a new shuffleboard pole or shuffleboard stick.

I recommend: Atoncer is a site that has used or pre-owned equipment in stock and also holds auction for sports equipment, including shuffleboard equipment for beginners. KD Amusement sells pre-owned game room supplies as well as new, and has a section for shuffleboard equipment.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Learn the game and love the game before you spend big on shuffleboard as most of the equipment is pricey, even if pre-owned.

Dating back several centuries, shuffleboard is a game played by young and old, on cruise ships or in backyards. If you want to offer the best types of shuffleboard equipment to your customers, then you must familiarize yourself with the lingo. By knowing common terms, you can also stay current with updates from products offered by your vendors. Become knowledgeable for your customers and your vendors, and you can watch your profits slide on up.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Deck courts

The standard shuffleboard deck courts are 52 feet long and 6 feet wide. They are found in numerous outdoor locations, ranging from parks and hotels to cruise ships and retirement communities. A large triangle adorns the court and is affixed with numbers for scoring purposes.

I recommend: Learn more about shuffleboard deck courts and how to number them at Shuffleboard Court Painting.

Weights

Shuffleboard weights, also called blocks, discs or pucks, are one of eight pieces used to play outdoor or table shuffleboard. Four of those eight disks are of the same color, as each player has his own color.

I recommend: Learn the specifications for shuffleboard disks at Shuffleboardclub.org.

Shuffleboard sticks

Shuffleboard sticks are also called poles or cues, and they allow players to push the weights across the shuffleboard court. Each stick contains two short prongs at the end.

I recommend: Visit AllinAllSports.com to learn shuffleboard sticks and the size of them.

Shuffleboard tables

Made out of different materials, tournament-size shuffleboard tables are 22 feet long, but most household tables are much smaller. Home tables are typically between 9 and 14 feet long and 2 to 3 feet wide. This allows the tables to fit nicely in a game room or other room within the house.

I recommend: Learn more about shuffleboard tables, as well as common care tips for them, at ShuffleboardTable.com.

Scoring unit

Shuffleboard scoring units allow for easy tallying of scores. They vary in size, shape and type of technology used, but the gist is that players do not need to remember who scored however many points. They are more commonly used for shuffleboard tables, as they can easily mount to the tables.

I recommend: Check out the various types of shuffleboard scoring units at Zieglerworld.

Shuffleboard powder

Shuffleboard powder, also called wax, is an important element of playing shuffleboard. It allows the puck to slide smoothly and quickly across the board. The loose powder resembles cornstarch, but is actually made of tiny pieces of silicone.

I recommend: Discover some tips from Sun-Glo before purchasing shuffleboard powder.