Frequently Asked Questions
Equipment
1) What is the difference between the Recreational, Professional and Continental cues?
Our Recreational Cue is great for a variety of settings: personal use, schools, community centers, churches, resorts and other non-professional settings. It is the most budget-friendly, while still being durable and long-lasting.
The Professional and Continental Cues both have the same cue heads, and grips and are official length. The difference between them is the shaft material – the Professional Cue is made of fiberglass while the Continental Cue is made from anodized aluminum. As a result, the Professional Cue is slightly heavier (320 g), compared to the Continental Cue (300g) but is more durable and offers greater flex. The Professional Cue is considered by many to be an excellent cue for club environments, where many cues are needed for a larger group. It is also sometimes preferred for outdoor play as some feel it has more control in windier conditions.
Much of the cue choice is personal preference, as many shufflers also enjoy the lighter, stiffer Continental Cue.
2) I am purchasing cues for a recreational setting. Which cue is the strongest/ will last the longest?
Shuffleboard cues by definition are not strong items. They are designed to be very lightweight. Couple that with a thin profile at a 6' length and they are susceptible to breakage, especially if not treated with care.
In recreational or institutional settings such as camps, resorts, hotels, bars, restaurants and community centres, where there is little to no supervision at the courts, cues earn themselves a “well-loved” designation pretty quickly.
Both our Recreational and Professional Cues work well in these settings as the fiberglass shafts are more flexible and less susceptible to breakage and kinks, in comparison to a cue with an aluminum shaft (I.e., the Continental Cue). The heads on the Recreational Cue can wear more quickly on a concrete court but being one piece, they are quick and easy to replace. The heads on the Professional Cue are full size and offer better grip and control of the disc during play. The yellow runners hold up well over time and can be replaced as necessary. Check out our Accessories page here for replacement parts available.
For those who prefer the feel and look of an aluminum shaft, our Continental model plays great. Take care to ensure no one leans heavily on the shaft as the aluminum is more susceptible to bending and kinks.
Courts
1) Do you have instructions for using Nella Seal Wax (NSW)?
A Half-gallon of Nella Seal Wax (half of the one gallon jug) will cover one regulation-sized court if used as specified. It is suggested that you apply two coats per year: either both at the same time or once at the beginning of the season and once at the end. For home shuffleboard courts with less usage, the two coats can be done at the same time (with a couple of hours in between application for the wax to dry). For clubs and resorts, the two coats are usually done at the beginning and the end of their playing season.
2) How do I mark the lines on my concrete court?
For concrete courts, we recommend our Court Stencil with regulated court lines for the most convenient and efficient marking. The stencil is especially helpful when marking multiple courts. Please see our Court Lining and Painting PDF here for more info.
3) What is the best paint to use on my concrete court?
To determine the correct paint and materials for your concrete court it is best to consult your local hardware store professional. The most compatible materials are greatly dependent on the particular court conditions and climate.
4) Can I use tape to mark out a shuffleboard court?
Tape is not recommended for use on a shuffleboard court. It has the potential to stop the discs and/or leave a residue once removed. It is best to paint permanent lines using our Court Stencil.
5) Can I repair my concrete court?
Once a concrete shuffleboard court has cracks in it, it can impact regular play. There is no effective way to repair cracks that have shifted. For concrete that is flaking, we advise that you speak to your local concrete professional to get the flaking buffed/polished.
6) How do I care for my Roll-Out Court?
To maintain the condition of your roll-out court please follow these court care instructions. In order to prevent damage to the playing surface be sure to clean any debris and/ or beads from the court before rolling it for storage. The court should also be rolled tightly, without any wrinkles and the edges aligned. Always store your roll-out court horizontally, on a flat surface – if a court is stored vertically this will damage the edges and create issues during play.
Accessories and Play Enhancement
1) How often should Glass Beads be used on the court?
Typically, beads are sprinkled evenly on the court before each match. Depending on the length of a game, additional beads can be added as long as both teams agree. The amount and frequency of beads added is a matter of personal preference and helps influence the speed of the discs.
2) What can I use to make my discs go farther and faster?
There are various methods to increase the speed and distance of your shots.
Beads are a key accessory to ensure a smooth and effortless shot. They come in different variations, and the beads used will depend on the type of court you are playing on. The most common beads are Glass Beads, however, these should NOT be used on any vinyl, plastic or wooden floors as they are highly abrasive. For vinyl and plastic courts, such as our Roll-A-Court line, we recommend Plastic Beads or Wind-Resistant Plastic Beads. For gymnasium or tiled floors, beads may be hazardous especially if the floor is multipurpose. In this case, it is recommended that TSW wax be used. TSW wax is less slippery for pedestrian traffic and has an easier clean-up. Applying Disc Wax to the bottom of discs is also another option to increase their travel and control.
Note: Having a clean court is critical for enhanced play. Always sweep up any loose dirt and dust with a Shuffleboard Broom.
3) Can I use Glass Beads on gym floors?
Using glass beads on a gym floor is NOT recommended. Glass beads are very slippery and can be dangerous if left on floors where there is pedestrian traffic. They are also highly abrasive and can scratch any vinyl or wooden flooring if used. Therefore, plastic beads or TSW powdered wax are products recommended for these surfaces, however, proper clean-up techniques should always be used, for everyone’s safety.
4) Can I use Silicone Spray on discs for use on full-size rollout courts?
Silicone spray should not be used on our Roll-A-Courts. We recommend using Plastic Beads with our vinyl courts except for the Mini Court.
5) When is it best to use the Disc Wax stick?
Disc Wax helps shuffleboard discs glide and provides a layer of protection to the bottom of the discs. Regardless of if you are using beads or not, if the discs are used on a hard surface (concrete, wood, tile, etc.) Disc Wax should be used. For multi-use facilities where beads are not allowed or are hazardous, Disc Wax can be supplemented to help the discs glide more easily. Disc Wax is not needed on a plastic grid court or the Roll-A-Courts.