By: Seomul Evans
Submitted: 2011-12-03 21:07:23 | Word Count: 586
An essential element of shuffle board table is the speed at which the puck travels along the table. The faster it travels, the further it will go, and the more likely it is to end up in the high scoring areas or to knock an opponent's puck off the end of the table. Speed is ultimately controlled by the player. The more force is used to push the puck, the faster and further it will go.
However, what makes table shuffleboard unique is the use of shuffleboard table wax. Table wax is not actually wax at all; it is usually made from silicone beads and is better referred to as shuffleboard powder, or powder wax. It is also sometimes called dust or ice.
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To confuse things even further, there are also shuffleboard wax products available which come in liquid form. They are used to coat the playing surface before applying the powder. There are also silicone spray products that can be used between liquid wax and powder to make the playing surface as smooth and reduce the amount of powder required. However, the main product you need to know about is the powder wax.
Shuffleboard powder dramatically reduces friction between the puck or weight and the table surface. This means that there is much less drag slowing down the puck, and it can slide for incredible distances with just a tiny push. Of course in shuffle board, the difference this makes is crucial. Too much powder and the game is too hard; too little powder and the game is not exciting enough.
To cater for the needs of different player abilities and different table sizes, shuffleboard wax or powder comes in different speeds. When dealing with table wax or powder, it is important to remember the length of the table makes a big difference to the speed that is required. The longer the shuffleboard table, the faster the wax or powder you will need to purchase.
If you are lucky enough to own a 22 foot shuffleboard table, you will be looking for a different wax than those with 12 foot tables. This is true if everyone wants the same level of challenge in the games. The greater distance a weight must travel, the more it will slow down. A faster wax is needed to keep the game at a realistic level.
There are different speeds of shuffleboard powder or wax that are available. They range from slow to very fast and are classified differently depending on the manufacturer. Some will use colors or numbers, but all powders and waxes will give an indication of the speed.
When choosing which one to buy, the best thing to do is look at the end of the range that matches your shuffleboard table. So for example if yours is a 9 foot table, choose a powder from the slower end of the range, and narrow it down by your playing experience. If your table is a 22 foot table, look at the faster end of the range and choose a speed based on your abilities. Choosing this way means you won't end up with a powder that is too fast or too slow.
One final tip: Why not shake things up now and then by playing with a completely different powder, either faster or slower? It is good for your technique, and can add a real extra source of challenge! Your shuffleboard table offers many enjoyable hours of fun activities if you have the table properly prepared to your needs and experience.
