How to Play

A Classic Dutch Game. A Lifetime of Fun.

Note:

If you’d like to purchase a set of rules for décor, you can do so here: Shuffleboard Rules Sign Décor

Game Play

The board itself has 4 arched slots from left to right: 2 – 3 – 4 – 1. These represent the number of points awarded to a puck that successfully slides into that slot.

Players take turns in sliding the pucks down the board and into these slots.

The aim of the game is to get as many wood pucks through the slots as possible in the rounds allotted to them. This tends to be 3 rounds.

Round 1

Slide all 30 pucks and try to get them through the slots.

Round 2

Collect the pucks that did not go through a slot, and slide again.

Round 3

Recollect the plucks that still did not go through and slide them one last time.

Once a player uses up all three rounds, their score is tallied up.

The board is then reset, and it is the next player’s turn to slide the 30 pucks.

Things To Note:

Points only count if the puck goes through a slot from the front!
It is important to note that a puck that goes through a slot cannot be recollected to slide it again in round 2 or 3 for more points. Once it is through, it stays there.
A puck could be disqualified, meaning that it cannot be used, or its points do not count, if it either bounces off the board, or rebounds on the arched board which makes it slide back behind the starting line. This means that careful and strategic play will get you further than trying to sliding a puck with force.

Scores

As the number on the arched slots indicate the number of points awarded to each puck in that slot, the value of one puck is counted at face value.
As the number on the arched slots indicate the number of points awarded to each puck in that slot, the value of one puck is counted at face value.
The way to know how many “sets” you have is to look at which of the slots have the fewest pucks. This indicates how many sets you have completed.
Each leftover puck after the sets are counted are then scored at face value: either 1, 2, 3 or 4 points depending on which slot it is in.
The points for each player are tallied together, and the player with the highest score is the winner!

What is achievable?

The largest amount of points a player can achieve is 148. This means that 7 pucks are in into the slots worth 1, 2 and 3 points, and 9 pucks are in slot worth 4 points.

However, if a player succeeds (miraculously!) in achieving the 148 points within 2 rounds, a bonus puck can be used. This means that the maximum achievable total is 152 points.

Strategy

A game of Sjoelen is a straightforward one. As it’s a game of skill, the best way to score high points is to concentrate, get a feel for the table and use your hand-eye coordination. Bashing the pucks as hard as possible down the runway rarely works!

Conclusion

Even though this game was invented centuries ago, it is still a favourite among clubs, school halls, families and parties. It is simple, yet addictive and despite what you call it, (Dutch Shuffleboard, Sjoelen, Sjoelbak) this game will entertain young and old. View our products if you would like to play Dutch Shuffleboard in Australia!

Ready to Play Sjoelen?

Bring the fun of this classic Dutch game home with an authentic Sjoelbak board.