Author: Games for Fun Crew

Categories
Fun Gaming

14 Halloween-themed games and activities for all ages

These kid-friendly games and activities are perfect for the whole family to join in this Halloween season

Halloween means trick-or-treating and lots of fun, so if you’re planning a spooky party or playdate for the family this year, crank up the fun with these entertaining Halloween party games and activities for kids.

We’ve written about  kid-friendly games to play in the fall  but it’s time for a list of dedicated Halloween fun. Because we all know the perfect Halloween party needs the perfect mix of spooky, funny, and sweet.

These games are designed to be kid-friendly, but we don’t doubt adults will have fun watching or participating! Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for suggestions to turn some of these kid-friendly activities into 21+ games.

1. Toilet Paper Mummy

We know what you’re thinking… this isn’t mindful of the recent pandemic. We know toilet paper has been something like a hot commodity over the last year, but this game doesn’t need to use toilet paper, per se. A great and just-as-good alternative is newspapers. Either option is budget-friendly and still super fun!

Rules/Objective: Create teams of 3 (1 mummy + 2 wrappers). The goal is to create the best mummy in a limited amount of time. We find this game to be most competitive and entertaining with a shorter time limit like 3 minutes. The team with the best mummy is the winner.

2. Pop/Stomp The Pumpkin

This game is exactly what it sounds like — popping the “pumpkin” (orange balloons) by stomping on them. The catch: Each pumpkin is filled with something “spooky” or gross. Some ideas to stuff your balloons with:

– dirt
– fake spiders
– cotton and/or toilet paper
– orange jello

This game will get messy and loud! And you always want to make sure to include slips of paper with prizes written on them in some balloons.

3. Mummy Bowling

For mummy-themed fun, wrap up some plastic pins in toilet paper or newspaper and glue on some googly eyes for a fun (and spooky) round of bowling. You can purchase plastic pins from the Dollar Tree in the kids/toy section!

If you don’t have plastic pins, you could also opt for old plastic bottles such as soda bottles. Add a few rocks inside for additional weight/sturdiness if you want them to easily stay upright.

4. Frankenstein Bowling

Here’s another festive twist on bowling! Save your cans and paint the faces of Frankenstein characters and other popular Halloween characters (Beetlejuice, Wednesday Addams, etc.) before stacking them. You could also cover the cans with Halloween themed scrapbook paper.

5. Spider Toss/Spider Pong

This is a spooky twist on the traditional marshmallow toss. Use small black and orange toy spiders and white Styrofoam cups for the game. The objective: From a distance, see who can toss the most spiders into the cup.

This is similar to “Beer Pong” so, for an adult twist, use a mix of candy corns and plastic spiders and fill the cups with assorted beverages such as beer, vodka, tea, and water. The goal is to get the candy corn or spider into a cup.

Candy corn probably isn’t that tasty when soaked in vodka or beer! But that’s the fun in the adult version. You get to watch adults fish out tea-soaked candy corn then eat it… talk about entertaining.

6. Pin The Tail On The Cat

You can never go wrong with any version of “pin the tail” at a party. Whether you purchase a template online or DIY one, the goal remains the same: Pin whatever item as accurately as possible on the image before you, blindfolded.

Some renditions:

– Pin the Tail on the Cat
– Pin the Hat on the Witch
– Pin the Leg on the Spider

7. Bingo! Halloween Edition

Bingo is probably one of the most customizable games out there. You can print free printable Halloween Bingo cards online. Or you can custom-make your own cards with assorted images of ghosts, haunted houses, mummies, cats, bats, brooms, etc.

To make it more challenging, you could also include words on the cards such as common Halloween phrases (boo, trick-or-treat, etc.) and if someone says the word, cross it off!

8. “Pumpkin” Egg and Spoon Race

We always include an egg race on our list of party games for kids! We make this Halloween-ified by painting real eggs orange.

To make it even more challenging, create an obstacle course for participants by placing random objects such as Jack-o-lanterns, tombstones, black cats, and even a fog machine between the start and finish line!

9. Scavenger Hunt: Halloween Edition

Who doesn’t love a good Scavenger hunt? Simply hide a variety of Halloween-themed items throughout your home (bat, ghost, witch’s hat, etc.) and ask the participants to find them.

10. Halloween Word Search

Similar to our Halloween Bingo mentioned earlier, word searches are old-fashioned and super customizable so making a fun Halloween word is easy! Try to include a mixture of Halloween-specific words and phrases that aren’t too common.

The adult version could be a customized cryptic crossword puzzle. You could include clues from Halloween pop culture such as movies, TV shows, and music.

11. Eyeball In A Spiderweb

It’s like you’re looking for a needle in the haystack, except the needle is an eyeball and the haystack is a tangle of spiderwebs.

12. Telephone: Ghost Story Edition

Don’t we all love a good scary story? This is a great icebreaker game that takes a modern twist on the classic Telephone. A group of participants sit in a line (or circle) and the beginning player whispers a short ghost story to the person next to them. That person whispers what they heard to the next, and the pattern continues down the line until the last person repeats the story out loud.

The objective is to listen intently so the original story doesn’t change by the time the last person hears it. Almost often, the final story is nothing like the original story.

We also suggest creating some ground rules such as how many times a person can whisper to the person next to them. I’ve played a similar version of this and capped the amount of “whispers” to 3 per person to keep it fair. You could also space out individuals for extra “whispering” room.

13. Scattegories: Halloween Edition

A Halloween version of a classic favorite. Roll a letter of a dice and see what Halloween-themed words you can come up with without matching others.

EX: If you roll a “c” you can write: candy corn; cat; cauldron; etc.

14. Mafia (AKA: Werewolf)

This is a personal favorite to play all year long but also works great for Halloween!

Everyone gets a card that tells them if they’re a villager or a Werewolf. Everyone closes their eyes and the werewolves “kill” someone. Then the entire group has to decide who they think did it and one by one try to figure out who the werewolves are.

Other Halloween-themed renditions of this game:

– Villagers x Witch
– Villagers x Vampire
– Villagers x Zombie

BONUS! Fear Factor (Adults-Only)

If you’ve ever seen the TV show, this is a way to bring that to life! Get creepy challenge ideas (like touching actual worms or raw meat) or put out a plate of food that the team must eat without using their hands.

Since this is an adult game, you can do things that might be tougher and grosser to eat like blue cheese, octopus, and more.

You could also switch it up and do the same thing but make people actually name what they’re eating in this guess the food game.

RELATED READING(S):

Scattered thoughts of a crafty mom: 25 Fun Halloween Party Games for Kids

Good Housekeeping: 40 Fun Halloween Games for Kids to Play at Their Halloween Party

Play Party Plan: 50 BEST HALLOWEEN GAMES FOR ALL AGES

The Spruce: 18 Fun Halloween Games for Kids

Categories
Pool

The underrated game room table: A simple guide to bumper pool

Bumper Pool Blog

A bumper pool table could be the perfect addition to your game room if you like the idea of playing pool but only strike a ball once or twice a year

Bumper pool — is that some sort of hybrid between bumper cars and swimming in the pool? While bumper car pool floats are an awesome invention, that’s not what we’re referencing.

This game room table is so underrated, you likely won’t even find it at your local bar. But this hidden gem has the potential to be the perfect addition to your game room with its compact table size.

We’ve written about this small but mighty game before (almost 3 years ago) and feel like it’s time to give the bumper pool table some current attention.

While this article will reference some of the original content from the previous article due to relevancy, we’ll be including:

  • A brief history of bumper pool

  • Main differences between bumper pool and billiards

  • How to play bumper pool

Bumper pool just doesn’t get enough love in the gaming world, so let’s change that. And if you’re interested in what we wrote about this back in early 2019, you can check out “Why Bumper Pool Could Be Your Ideal Game” here.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF BUMPER POOL

In 1955, Valley Manufacturing introduced a new game to the world of coin-operated amusements. This game was played on a table smaller than a billiards with two holes on either end of the table.

There were eight bumpers placed in a cross-like pattern in the middle of the table, and players would put a dime in to start a game and each player would get five balls (red or white).

The object of the game: To shoot your ball into your opponent’s pocket at the other end.

Known simply as bumper pool, the “new billiards game” became hugely popular and ultimately became a staple in the bar and arcade scene. But the popularity of bumper pool has declined over the years. And, as we mentioned earlier, finding a bumper pool table in a bar is rare these days.

Related reading(s): Bar Games 101: The Great Game Of Bumper Pool

MAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BUMPER POOL AND BILLIARDS

Bumper pool tables are definitely differ from ‘regular’ pool tables due to their small size and only having two pockets, as opposed to the usual six on regular pool tables.

This compact size is also one of the most beneficial aspects of a bumper table. Full-sized pool tables might be inconvenient for some home spaces because they might be too big, leaving a lot of billiard enthusiasts with no choice but to go to other places to play the game they love.

The game of bumper pool is played on an octagonal bumper pool table or rectangular bumper pool table with fixed bumper obstacles on the playfield. So not only is the table a fraction of the size of a conventional table, but the cues are about half the size of regular ones.

This smaller size allows you to arrange the bumper pool game in your living room or game room without sacrificing space (minimalists and small-space peeps are quaking with glee).

HOW TO PLAY BUMPER POOL

Introduction

Most slate bumper pool tables will have twelve bumper obstacles,. However, some will have up to 14 or 16, with two bumpers on either side of the pool table pockets.

The rest of the bumpers form a cross in the center of the pool table, with one cross line in-line with the pockets.

There is an open space at the center of the cross that is just big enough for a ball to pass through. The table is covered with the same pool table cloth material as regular standard pool tables.

Objective

Unlike regular billiards, learning how to play bumper pool is fairly easy to achieve because there are only two pockets on the table — one for each player.

The object of the game is to sink all of your balls (5 total) into the opposite pocket first (with 12 obstacles, called “bumpers,” in between). The player’s marked ball has to be pocketed before the player can sink any other balls. With only a few strategies to win, this is a billiards game for the masses.

  • Bumper pool is played with five white and five red bumper pool balls. One ball is marked from each set of five.

  • There is not a dedicated cue ball. Each ball can be directly shot into the table pockets.

How To Play

Summary: The first person to legally pocket all five of their balls wins!

To start a game of bumper pool, each set of bumper pool balls is arranged on five spots near each end of the bumper pool table by a pocket with the marked ball placed in front of the pocket.

The game begins with each player simultaneously shooting their marked ball, banking it off the pool table cushion to their right and trying to sink the ball in the pocket at the other end of the table.

  • If both players make the opening shot they select another ball and attempt the opening simultaneous shot again.

  • If both players sink all five of their balls off of the first simultaneous shot the game ends in a draw.

  • If on the opening simultaneous shot one player misses, the next shot goes to the player who sunk their ball on the opening shot.

  • If neither player makes the shot, the ball closest to the intended pocket shoots next.

A player’s turn will continue until they fail to pocket a ball.

Additional Rules

Jump shots are not allowed in the game of bumper pool.

If a player pockets one of their opponent’s balls there isn’t a penalty.

The ball is considered “sunk” no matter what pocket it falls into.

If a player sinks one of their own balls (not the last) in their own pocket, the opposing player may put two of their balls into their own pocket.

If a player sinks their last ball into the wrong pocket, they lose the game.

If a player makes a ball leave the table, the opponent can place the ball anywhere on the table, usually in the middle and drop two of their balls into their own pocket.

Related reading(s): Game Room Guys: How To Play Bumper Pool

THE SIMPLICITY OF BUMPER POOL SURPASSES ALL

After a long day at work, most of us just want to immediately sit on the couch and relax for the rest of the night. But, sometimes, playing a few rounds of pool after a hectic day takes more physical and brain power than we anticipate. This hits even harder if you don’t have your own billiards table at home. Going out isn’t always an ideal option.

If you’re a homeowner or bar owner looking for a fun version of billiards that fits into a small space, a bumper pool table is definitely an investment worth revisiting. The rules and size of bumper pool create a game that allows the players to destress in a much more simple manner, while still enjoying the classic roots of pool.

Having a bumper pool table in your home will create lasting entertainment the whole household.

Check out our showroom for various bumper pool table styles, including the most popular rectangle shape and the more unique octagon-shaped tables.

Categories
Gaming

The “real: golden age of gaming: 1970s/1980s vs. 2010s/2020s

golden age of gaming

We’re comparing two proclaimed times to see if we’ve missed it or are currently living through the modern gaming golden age

golden age of gamingWhat years do YOU consider to be the golden age of gaming? If you search that term, you’ll see this result:

The golden age of arcade video games was the period of rapid growth, technological development and cultural influence of arcade video games, from the late 1970s to the early 1980s.

Notice how the result focuses on arcade video games? Yeah. We noticed that, too.

Now we don’t have an issue with arcade games (it’s kind of our thing, anyway) but when the golden gaming age is mentioned, people tend to only talk about arcade gaming. What about modern gaming?

Look at Minecraft. It’s literally the best-selling video game of all time with 238,000,000 in sales and it isn’t from the “golden age” of gaming (a.k.a the 70s and 80s). It’s from the twenty-teens — released in 2011, to be exact. So, what are we getting at?

The golden age of gaming might not be only linked to arcade games from the 70s/80s. In fact, some say we might be experiencing the second wave — the modern golden age of gaming.

COMPARING THE TWO PERIODS OF GAMING

We’ve talked before about how the gaming industry has changed over the years, but let’s dive a little deeper into why the 70s and 80s continue to be talked about with such esteem when it comes to the gaming world and its relationship with modern gaming.

THE GOLDEN GAMING AGE OF THE 70S AND 80S

Although the exact years differ, most sources agree the golden age for gaming was from about the late 1970s to early 1980s. Technology journalist Jason Whittaker, in The Cyberspace Handbook, places the beginning of the golden age in 1978, with the release of Space Invaders.

During the late 1970s, arcade game technology had become sophisticated enough to offer good-quality graphics and sounds, but it was still fairly basic (realistic images and full motion video were not yet available, and only a few games used spoken voice).

Thus, the success of a game had to rely on simple and fun gameplay. This emphasis on gameplay is why many of these games continue to be enjoyed today despite having been vastly outdated by modern computing technology.

If people have an enjoyable experience, it could be talked about for years. Which is what we see happening to date.

The “Golden Age” of the 70s and 80s was a time of great technical and design creativity in arcade games. Games were designed in a wide variety of genres while developers had to work within strict limits of available processor power and memory. The era also saw the rapid spread of video arcades across North America and Japan.

The period from the appearance of Space Invaders in 1978 (as we mentioned earlier) through The Great Video Game Crash of 1983 is often known as the Golden Age of Arcade Games.

This was  when 8-bit Arcade Video Games emerged to rule popular culture, coin-operated Video Arcades appeared in every shopping mall, and soon the Atari 2600 and its competitors popularized home video gaming by capitalizing on arcade ports.

Related reading(s): GOLDEN AGE OF VIDEO GAMES

We could say it’s a matter of being able to produce entertaining games that have never been done in such a way. It was exciting and competitive with advancements such as new hardware, laserdisc players, and new controls such as the trackball, lifelike steering wheels, light guns, and other specialty controls such as pedals for racing games.

Basically, it sounds like the 70s and 80s are spoken about with such high esteem in the gaming world because a lot was accomplished with limited resources in comparison to what we have on the market today.

THE GOLDEN GAMING AGE OF THE 2010S AND 2020S

For many, we are currently living in the golden age of gaming. The advancements in technology, fast, stable internet becoming the norm, and the rise of the casual and hyper-casual gamer has brought gaming into a new era.

Plus, with both the vintage gaming options and current hi-tech options available, people feel that they have the best of both worlds — thus marking the 2000s as the true golden age for gaming.

On one public gaming forum, a user commented that everybody’s “golden age” is really just a sliding time-slot depending on what people grew up with and what console they were supposed to choose from. They continue:

Golden Age has always felt to me to be a term to describe a time that was great until everything went bad. Right now, after the video game [sic] crash of the early 80s, we are in the golden age. The audience of video games [sic] has been steadily increasing, revenues for developers has been increasing, technology for games has been improving, and [the] cost of games has remained within inflation levels.

The user also says that we’re locked into a golden age for a while until something happens to off-set the smooth sailing that we’re experiencing now.

IN CONCLUSION

The 70s and 80s were the first time video games hit the scene big.

And in terms of industry revenues, this period was one of the highest peaks the North American video game industry has ever reached to this day (and the highest overall when adjusted for inflation).

While the 1980s was the golden age for arcade games, some consider the 1990s to be the Golden Age for home video games (i.e. consoles and computers).

Meanwhile, some consider the 2010s to be the golden age for online gaming or streaming. With one argument being: “All the old games still exist and new games keep coming out all the time.” They concluded by saying that, until video games stop being made, we might just be in one long golden age.

And, yet, others feel that the golden age of gaming is still to come. There are so many opportunities for technology to play a part in elevating the game from the forms we have now, to really develop it into a new and improved art form.

So, what does this prove? It proves that opinions vary about what era is considered to be the true “golden age” for gaming. And with updates in technology, more accessibility, and an increase in device usage now compared to the past, comparing the 70s and 80s with the 2010s and 2020s could be tricky — especially since we still don’t know what’s yet to come in the future with virtual reality, cloud gaming, and real-time personalization.

Related reading(s): IS THIS THE GOLDEN AGE OF GAMING?

Categories
Gaming

9 underrated ways to accessorize your game room in 2021

GameRoom

Get ready to accessorize your game room with these simple yet overlooked game room decor ideas

You know what sounds nice: Designing a room in your space that’s dedicated solely to the love of gaming without spending loads of money. (Yes, we’re also drooling at the image of a beautiful game room and a bank account that isn’t crying.)

We’re no strangers to game room decoration ideas. We have an article dedicated to game room decor ideas for dads — some of which included wine corks and beer. We’ve also given tips on how to create the perfect game room (projectors and tabletop games definitely made a cameo).

Since accessories can bring an additional layer of depth to your game room/space, this 2021 guide to home game room accessories is designed to give a little something for every type of game enthusiast. We’ll be addressing accessories that also provide comfort, posture, and all of that jazz, too, so get into relaxation mode.

GAME ROOM IDEAS TO TRANSFORM YOUR SPACE IN 2021

Over the years, serious gamers have acquired a vast collection of favorite games, consoles, and other assorted merchandise.

1. PILLOWS/PILLOW COVERS

Pillows are meant to keep your spine in a neutral position. They align your neck with the rest of your body, which supports good posture. However, we’re talking about gaming here, not sleeping. Nonetheless, the same benefits apply if you’re sitting upright for long periods of time! Without pillows, there’s added stress on your back and neck, making it hard for your spine to maintain its natural curve. Sleeping or sitting without a pillow could cause discomfort in the long run. Not sure what kind of gaming pillows or pillow covers are out there to suit your game room? How about this extra large all-things-game-room pillow or this controller shaped pillow to start?

2. CLOCKS

 Clock helps us to manage our lives. We depend on them for our routine activities from wake up in the morning to sleep at night. It helps to be everywhere on time and when it comes to gaming, this small device can prove to be extra handy. Don’t want to lose track of time in the game room? Spruce things up by hanging unique clocks on the walls. What about this billiards wall clock — shaped just like a triangular rack with billiard balls as the time.

classic-video-game-room3. BOOKCASES

Bookshelves, CD racks, and wall-mounted items allow you to properly display and easily access your entire collection. Sprinkle in a few toys and game-related merchandise and your game room library will be a marvelous sight to behold.

4. FLOATING SHELVES

 This isn’t to be confused with bookshelves like we mentioned above. While similar, floating shelves don’t take up space and are meant to display more specific prized gaming pieces like exotic wooden game pieces or vintage poker chips, dice, playing cards.

5.RUGS

RugsIf you want to change the focal point of a room and add a visual divider that makes a space feel more cozy and comfortable, a rug is your answer. The game room is probably already nifty, but a rug will make the room look connected and cohesive — super relevant for a game room where there are many elements involved, but one common theme of gaming. Whether you’re choosing a fluorescent rug that lights up in the dark or an arcade-themed throw rug, you’ll take your game room to the next level.

6.WALLPAPER

 Wallpaper has gone in and out of style for centuries, but it’s always been a good choice to create an attractive design without permanently altering your walls. Use a stylish pattern that matches your favorite game color to make a wall pop with color or texture!

7. LED “FLOATING” LIGHTS 

game-room-led-lighting-solid-apollo-ledWhy do we like the “vibes” of a pool hall so much? We’re going to say it’s because of the lighting and we’re convinced that the dimly lit spaces does something to the game (a.k.a. makes it better). Not only is LED highly energy efficient (less heat, more light, lower cost) but it makes any space look that much more awesome! Whether you choose to line your ceilings or place LED lights beneath pieces of furniture for a floating effect or line inside your game table, the choice is yours.

8. CHAIRS 

We’ve all heard of the term ergonomic, and if you haven’t, well you have now. When sitting for long periods of time (in which case a game room will make this happen), you’ll need a good chair that provides proper lumbar and pelvic support so your back muscles aren’t stressed. With lumbar and pelvic support comes better posture, better breathing, and less fatigue. Do yourself a favor and don’t settle for a basic office chair when chairs and sofas like this and this exist for your game room.

9. STORAGE BOXES/CONTAINERS

Frames are a key ingredient in the brilliant experience created by the artwork for the viewer. Not only do they enhance the final look of the piece of work being displayed, but they also protect it. Your game room walls could use a little dressing up, and posters have it handled. Keep things classic with a retro gaming poster or go modern with a minimal remote control poster set.

10. POSTERS/FRAMES

gaming-5-panel-canvas-art-wall-decorFrames are a key ingredient in the brilliant experience created by the artwork for the viewer. Not only do they enhance the final look of the piece of work being displayed, but they also protect it. Your game room walls could use a little dressing up, and posters have it handled. Keep things classic with a retro gaming poster or go modern with a minimal remote control poster set.

IN CONCLUSION

As we’ve seen, game enthusiasts take the opportunity to showcase their love for overall entertainment by intertwining film, board games, traditional arcade machines, and non-electronic games of the past.

Whatever your budget, or ideas about how to design and decorate a room for gaming, use the chance to express yourself freely, indulging in whimsical wall art design, fun, festive colors, and plenty of memorabilia or collectibles.

The secret to coming up with a quality room for games room ideas is to remember the spirit of play is at the heart of the space, so feel free to try out quirky, colorful, and energetic decorating concepts.

Categories
Pinball

An intro to pinball (French aristocrats, Great Depression, & Babe Ruth)

An Introduction to Pinball

Tabletop or life-size, we all love the lights, sounds, and general thrill of a pinball machine, so let’s plunge into this introduction to the arcade classic.

Welcome to the ultimate pinball guide where flippers aren’t funky looking swimming shoes and a bumper isn’t referring to the part of your vehicle that minimizes the impact of a car collision.

Pinball has been around for literal centuries (we’re talking since the 1700s) and has had an interesting gamble in the “gaming” scene since. Beginning as a game that required constant lifting and tilting of the table, pinball has evolved into the bright, action-filled game we know and love today.

We know technology changed the gaming industry and games that were popular in halls and arcades — such as pinball machines — inevitably lost their appeal in comparison to at-home game rooms and online/mobile gaming. The latter were more accessible, affordable, and overall more convenient. (No clunky machines the size of Shaq stuffed into dark corners of dim lit halls.) Still, pinball partisans and modern gamers alike can appreciate the game-changing (literally) origins of pinball.

PINBALL (BAGATALLE) AND RAINY 1700S FRANCE

The history of pinball machines takes us back to France in the 1700s. Think: age of the Aristocrats; croquet being played as a social pastime; unexpected rain forcing players to stop the game and go find some other non-croquet-related social activity to do indoors.

In short: the French got tired of waiting for the rain to stop. So they came up with the idea for a game called Bagatelle. This predecessor of the pinball machine was nothing more than a board with wooden pins and a ball — but don’t undermine its entertaining abilities. 

This board-pin-ball contraption was such a great success that French soldiers brought Bagatalle to America during the American Revolution in the late 18th century!

  • OBJECTIVE: Use the plunger to propel the ball bearing up the inclined table until gravity causes it to roll back down and into a (hopefully) high-scoring pocket.

  • The various pins dotted around the table are designed for the ball to bounce off and change direction. Hence, the name “pinball.”

Related video(s): Vintage Bagatelle game forerunner to modern pinball

Prior to the glitz and glam of the arcade industry, there were more simple ways to have fun. If you haven’t already picked up on it, Bagatelle is one of these “more simple” ways to have fun. However, it deserves accolades for being the predecessor to the pinball machine. After all, its successor became the first coin-operated machine in America. So let’s get into that transition…

THE TIMELINE LEADING TO MODERN PINBALL

1871: Pinball is officially invented

Montague Redgrave from Ohio turns the century old Bagatelle game into the first pinball game. He’s granted a U.S. patent for his “Improvements in Bagatelle”, which include a coiled spring, a slope, and (smaller) marbles.  The “Parlor Table Bagatelle” game becomes popular in bars, where high scores would earn you pride and maybe a free drink.

1930s: The “coin” helps pinball become successful

The pinball machine becomes popular during the Depression in the 1930s as a result of the need for low-cost entertainment. The first automatic pinball machine hits the scene in 1931. This is when coin-operated games find their way around the U.S. entertainment market.

1940s: Pinball is banned (for almost 40 years)

Here’s the gist: In the late 1930s the first pinball machines were featured with luminescent fields that kept score. The U.S. government just couldn’t keep the game innocent and started seeing pinball as gambling. But guess what happened to make matters worse? Pinball machines started to be manufactured to cash out when winning. Of course, these adjustments to the original pinball machine were in conflict with the strict gamble laws of the U.S. at the time, so pinball machines were banned from the early 1940s until 1976. Yes, almost 40 years.

1947: The first flippers are introduced

Sure, there was a ban. But improvements were still being made to the pinball machine. This is when the flippers were introduced by Gottlieb. These days we can hardly image a pinball machine without flippers, but players previously would have to bump and tilt the machine to make the ball change direction. Although the introduction of flippers actually added skill to the game, taking away a great part of the gamble element, it was already too late: pinball was banned, associated with the mafia and seen as a dangerous distraction to children.

1977: The ban is lifted (let’s play!)

Wildly credited for “saving” pinball, Roger Sharpe — who spent his free time as an undergrad playing pinball at hangout spots — testifies in court that pinball is a game of skill, not chance. To shutdown allegations that pinball is not associated with gambling, he plays a pinball game in the courtroom. He predicts the exact movement of the ball before shooting and parallels Babe Ruth’s home run in the World Series of 1932. His performance convinces the courtroom that pinball is actually a harmless game of skill and the ban is lifted.

Related article(s): The History of Pinball in 10 Funfacts

WHERE PINBALL IS NOW / HOW TO PLAY

We mentioned this earlier: Technology changed the gaming scene. However, pinball hasn’t been completely forgotten. As with almost all century-old games, pinball has moved to the digital space where people now mostly play online. There are online pinball games for children, online pinball games with themes, and even pinball tournaments.

So, while technology was (sort of) the demise of in-person pinball gaming, it’s also created a space for pinball to remain popular. As for the actual pinball machine — they’ve mainly become a collector’s item. There’s even a Bagatelle table on the market for over $5,500!

IN CONCLUSION

The pinball machine has been through quite the development. But we can tell that from Bagatelle to online clicking, pinball is a timeless game that everyone enjoys.

Bring the arcade into your home with our wide variety of pinball machines. Let’s bring you back to your childhood… one “pin” at a time.

Related reading(s):

Related video(s):

Categories
Darts

Dart history 101: Invention, purpose, modern tips, & more

History-of-Darts-game

Darts: the little missiles with some big history. Playing darts is a great way to pass time. Whether thrown traditionally at pubs, as recreation across the world in people’s backyards and basements, or professionally in national competitions, it’s a game of finesse that can be enjoyed by anyone, anytime. 

When talking about the history of darts, there’s been many references to the medieval times from archers, crossbowmen and spear throwers shortening their weapons into small darts, so let’s see what this is all about.

IS IT A DART MYTH, MISCONCEPTION, OR TRUTH?

References to Henry VIII a Tudor King of England receiving a set of ornamented darts for use for games from Anne Boleyn isn’t exactly true. While he did receive such a gift, these were short throwing spears not used for games. 

These small throwing spears would have been thrown from horseback into wild boar or pigs and not used for a target game. Although these shortened spears could kill directly, it is more likely to injure or create a wound that would not heal rendering the prey into submission.

If rumor holds true that the game of darts had its origin during the reign of King Henry VIII of England, it is believed that he told his archers to practice their arching skills all year round so they would be sharp and ready for battle at any time. It’s been said that while practicing outside, some archers, instead of shooting, started throwing their arrows as a means of fun. Maybe the thinking was, “anyone can shoot accurately lets see who can throw accurately.”

But, again, we don’t know for certain. After all, some individuals say that the earliest reference to darts as a game can be traced to France while others credit England to being the home of darts (which we’ll address in the next section).

Related reading(s): A Brief History of Darts!, Learn the Darts History from Medieval Times

SO, HOW DID MODERN DARTS BEGIN?

  • The Medeival era

  • Brian Gamlin

  • A military pastime

  • Tree trunks

Darts and the Medieval Era

In case you couldn’t tell, direct evidence for hand throwing darts into a target for a game or practice has been hard to find — was it the French or the English who started the pastime? The bulk majority says that the development of darts as a game originated in England during the medieval era in the 1300s. So, for the sake of consistency, we’ll stick with England.

Brian Gamlin & the Modern Dartboard

The invention of modern darts can be attributed to a carpenter from Lancashire by the name of Brian Gamlin in 1896; he invented the dartboard numbering layout of today. The original darts were also made from wood (so it makes sense that it was invented by a carpenter).

Brian Gamlin’s numbering sequence layout was specifically created with the intention to penalize inaccuracy. Although many papers were written about the billions of different dartboard numbering sequences that could be devised with 20 numbers, it is widely accepted that Gamlin’s numbering sequence layout is the closest to perfect randomness you will ever find. (Gamlin died in 1903 before he could patent his idea).

The original darts is said to have had a metal point and the flights were made from bird feathers (mainly turkey feathers). However, dart history goes back much farther than turkey feathers — gobble, gobble!

Related reading(s): Who Invented Darts? (The Origins & History Of The Game)

Darts and the Military

Darts began as a military pastime originating in England during the medieval era in the first couple of decades of the fourteenth century. The tale goes that between battles, bored soldiers would sit in the trenches and compete by throwing spearheads and other sharp objects at the bottoms of upturned wine casks as a “target.” 

Officials encouraged soldiers to participate since it was an effective way to practice their aim and throwing skills. And, naturally, as the pastime spread amongst the rank and file, soldiers began competing in an attempt to prove their moral fiber. 

And here’s an interesting fact about the word target: the bottom of a wine or beer barrel was called a “butt” which originated from archery from the French word “butte” which means “target.” (The more you know!)

Darts and the tree trunks

After a while, soldiers moved on from hitting the bottom of upturned wine casks and started using cross-sectioned tree trunks as targets. And, as it turns out, the tree trunks own growth rings, and radial cracks offered the first template for the sections that would eventually appear on the sport’s modern-day dart boards.

Darts would progressively change over hundreds of years until the turn of the nineteenth century when it began to approximate the game we all know and love.

BASIC TIPS & RULES OF THE GAME

  1. Know that every dart board is the same. Each board is numbered from 1 – 20 in non-sequential order around the board. You play darts by throwing a small dart onto different parts of the board, counting your points as you go. 

  1. The board is split into distinct sections with points associated with that section. If a dart lands in the outer green or red sections, the thrower scores double that section’s number of points. If a dart lands in the inner small green or red sections, the thrower scores triple that section’s number of points. (EX: if you land inside the double ring under 18, you would score 36 points)

  1. The most common form of the game is simply known as “01.” Objective: Each player must reduce his score down to zero. Why is it called “01”? The title refers to the fact that each player always starts a game with a score that ends in “01.”

  2. To start the game and see who goes first, each player throws a dart. The person who gets closest to the double bull gets to throw first.

WANT MORE DART INFO?

Check out these related article(s) below for more dart tips & tricks

Categories
Music

Why you should buy a jukebox for your business space

Purchasing a jukebox

Preview: Besides being a unique way to invite your guests to have a good time, purchasing a jukebox can transform your business or space for other reasons

The benefits of purchasing a jukebox for your business (or any space) extend far beyond the aesthetic. We don’t talk about jukeboxes often, but they’re a nice piece of furniture, er, art… er, music to study.

We’ve written about the history of jukeboxes before, so let’s recap some of that info. As we dive a bit into the early beginnings of the jukebox and also address risk factors and more, we’re hoping this jukebox information will help you in your decision-making process.

The History of the Jukebox (aka Revised Phonograph)

“LIKE ALMOST EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE COUNTRY, THE GREAT DEPRESSION BROUGHT THE MUSIC INDUSTRY TO A SCREECHING HALT.”

So we know the jukebox had its heyday, but let’s not focus on that. The first jukebox in history looked nothing like the jukeboxes we’re familiar with today. The invention of the jukebox began when Thomas Edison invented the phonograph in 1877. The machine was modified with a coin slot and installed inside an oak cabinet.

A 25-pound sulfuric acid battery provided electricity to run the phonograph. It could only play one wax cylinder at a time, which had to be changed by hand. 

Since amplification hadn’t been developed yet, users had to listen to the music through one of four listening tubes. The tubes looked a bit like stethoscopes that went into people’s ears. Handkerchiefs hung on the side of the machine, so people could wipe off the tubes after each use.

But it wouldn’t be for another 29 years before the automation process was added that allowed you to put a coin in and select a song and then another 20 years before an amplifier was added so that you could hear the music throughout a room. 

The Jukebox was starting to gain some popularity; especially during the prohibition era when these machines made their way into speakeasies and became a staple in bars from that time forward.

Related article(s): Who Invented the Jukebox?

Why You Should Consider Going Vintage with a Jukebox

1. Cultural and historical significance.

Admittedly this is one of the most obvious examples, but that’s exactly the reason we should start with it! Though the designs of a vintage jukebox can be mimicked down to the very last detail, no imitation can reproduce its authenticity and historical value.

A vintage jukebox is a snapshot of history, a physical embodiment of a bygone age, and that alone is enough to make it a must-have for enthusiasts and aficionados alike. But here’s the interesting thing – not only are they products of their time, but many even helped shape their contemporary cultures.

Take the aesthetics of an AMI Continental, for example, which shares characteristics with a lot of automobiles of the age; the contours, the metallic color and the chrome finish that’s reminiscent of a vintage Cadillac. Very few brand-new jukebox designs can replicate that level of cultural value.

2. Authentic vintage sound — not over produced

Vintage jukeboxes are blessed with a distinctive sound that’s not crisp like the type produced by modern hi-fi equipment. It has more bass, with a soft, warm quality that we’ve all grown to appreciate.

In fact, the vinyl sound is actually so distinctive that some modern jukeboxes being produced today are being specifically engineered to reproduce this vinyl to valve sound. 

Related article(s): 3 Great Reasons to Buy a Vintage Jukebox

Things to Consider if You’re Contemplating a Jukebox

Are jukeboxes a good investment?

If you are looking to purchase a jukebox and just have it sit in your house and hope it appreciates then it probably isn’t a good investment. If instead you are planning on putting it in a location where you could make money with each play then it could be a fine investment.

What is your goal for the investment?

If you are wanting to buy a jukebox and place it in a local bar or retro style restaurant then that is probably a better investment than to let it sit in your basement for years. However, having a machine at a business requires you to check it regularly, to remove money from it, to share revenue with the business owner, and many other things.

Do you understand the potential risks?

For example what happens if someone breaks the machine the first weekend you have it at a business? You are now having to spend additional money before you have ever made a dime. You also have to consider what might happen if the nostalgia fad passes. If people are too busy streaming music on their phones to care about your jukebox in the corner your investment could become worthless quickly.

Related article(s): Are Jukeboxes A Good Investment?

A Guide to Buying a Jukebox

If you’ve decided that you’re going to do it — you’re going to get that jukebox — here are some helpful tips.

  • Choose a brand based on research/reviews and the aesthetic that you’re going for.

  • Know what condition do you want your jukebox to be in when you purchase it.

  • Know your budget. Some brands are more expensive than others — as in thousands of dollars more expensive.

  • Warranty is a very crucial factor to consider when buying a jukebox. Buying from a company that gives a warranty is an assurance that their jukeboxes can be trusted. You are also assured of compensation in case your jukebox fails within a certain period.

  • Different jukeboxes have different sound outputs. You can decide on which jukebox depending on the sound output that interests you.

  • We mentioned it previously, but buy a jukebox that is attractive to you and for you/your business.

Remember that buying a modern jukebox can be a costly undertaking; a good machine could set you off tens of thousands of dollars. With so many choices each promising this and that feature, it can be daunting to settle on one. Of course, you do not have to be Justus Seeburg to know a good jukebox; you only need to do a little homework (just as you’ve done by reading this blog).

Categories
Fun Uncategorized

Activities you should avoid this summer for maximum fun

Activities you should avoid this summer

Overview: With summer on everyone’s mind, we’re talking about the worst summer plans you can make this year that’ll RUIN your fun

In this special edition blog, we’re shifting gears and talking about things you should avoid doing during summer because we want you to have a fun summer, not a bum one. And if you’re all about fun like we are, you know that summer is the season of fun (right up our alley), but we also know that summer can be ruined by a bad batch of plans.

You trust us with all things fun, right? So if you really want to enjoy this summer to the max, avoid the following activities.

Avoid crowded indoor spaces, like restaurants and bars

After staying at home for a whole year, it’s understandable that people are looking forward to a meal at their favorite restaurant or a drink at their favorite bar. California recently getting the green light to open things back up, however, indoor spaces are still risky.

It’s harder to maintain social distance in a confined indoor space, and any airborne particles may linger in the air longer than they would outdoors. Thankfully, many restaurants and bars have added outdoor seating to the mix.

You might not be able to avoid the crowds this summer, but the least you
could do is opt for outdoor seating options. Besides, there’s nothing like eating a good meal and drinking a nice beverage on the rooftop of a building during summer!

Related article(s): Four Activities You Should Avoid this Summer — and What You Can Do Instead

Avoid taking a summer vacation anywhere that requires
flights or the airport

For many, “summer” is synonymous with “vacation.” These trips are often what people look forward to throughout the year, and they typically succeed in creating lifelong memories. But while vacations are great for unwinding, this summer might not be the best for long-distance travel.

While airlines and other modes of transportation are doing their best to keep things safe, long-distance travel still comes with a significant degree of risk from passengers and from shared, high-touch surfaces. And guess what? Places like airports and train stations are no exceptions.
Remember: Summertime travel madness begins at the airport.

Avoid spending every day indoors watching Netflix

Summer is often linked to an increase in leisurely activities, which means you have more time to catch up on anything and everything on Netflix. But we’re suggesting that you don’t do it.

Of course, we’re not suggesting you don’t watch any Netflix. That would be crazy. And we’re not ignoring our previous points. That would also be crazy. But we’re saying to have a balance.

Our recommendation for maximum summer fun: Go outside every other day. Be a person. Don’t spend the season cooped up indoors binge watching 40 different TV shows and movies in one week. That’s not what summer is meant for. Maybe spend one or two days a week staying indoors and watching Netflix, but be sure to spend some time actually getting outdoors.

Avoid hanging out at all the same places

Last year made us all realize that, even if we don’t want to do it, we all have the ability to frequent one place for an extended period of time —months, actually. However, since we finally have our summer “freedom” back, the last thing we should do is repeat the mandated pattern from last year.

Rather than spending your free time frequenting the same place, go exploring. Similar to the previous point, the goal this summer is to try and get out of your comfort zone a bit without compromising on safety. You might end up finding some more exciting (and safe) places to spend your summer days and nights.

Avoid popular places like Disney World, the obvious attractions in famous cities, and the hottest destinations on Instagram

So, what about when you get out of the Orlando airport and head to Disney World? Is summer the worst time to go to the park? The truth is that popular places such as Disney World are packed year-round. Is this summer going to be different? Well, yes and no.

Yes because people are itching to just get out and do something. No because of the reason we stated above: Disney is packed during summer… there’s nothing new here. But Disney expert Laura Begley Bloom says, “Late summer is generally better than early summer.”

Begley suggests that if you do decide to check out Disney World, lines to enter the parks and lines for the rides will be the shortest in the early part of the day.

Now regarding popular travel destinations (those that are popular year-round), they actually do see a surge in tourism during the summer months. And don’t go straight to a location that’s blowing up on social
media — at least, not during the summer. Travel journalist Matt Meltzer learned his lesson the hard way.

He set a day trip to the highly Instagrammed Antelope Canyon during a recent visit to Arizona. Located in a Navajo tribal park, the otherworldly sandstone formations are often portrayed as mysterious, empty passageways on the Internet. But when he showed up for a tour he reserved, it was anything but empty.

Meltzer discovered that the park was “like a Walmart parking lot outside the canyon.” He says that the reality did not match the expectation.

Related article(s): How to have the worst summer vacation ever

Avoid Work Extra Hours at Your Summer Job

Some people are workaholics, but summer is coined as the season of leisure and relaxation. If you end up getting a summer job, congrats! Especially with last year’s employment situation (or lack of) for many, getting a job is a great deal. However, don’t overwork yourself.

While you may want to have the extra cash to spend on experiences, working overtime might take away from time you’ll have to actually do things you actually enjoy.

If you have the option to pick up someone else’s shift or add more hours, try to avoid jumping on the opportunity — ask yourself if it’s really worth it, and learn how to say no. Give yourself the opportunity to do something more exciting instead. It’s what summer was made for (unless work is the most exciting thing for you… then more power to you!).

Related article(s): 10 Things You Should NOT Do This Summer

Categories
Gifts

12 timeless game room gifts to get Dad for Father’s Day

perfect Fathers Day gifts

Preview: Take a look at these perfect Father’s Day gifts for Dad’s game room — from an antique pool table to a DIY dartboard cabinet.

perfect Fathers Day gifts

Father’s Day is the perfect excuse to get more game room gifts for Dad. Skip the tie and cologne this year (nobody’s been wearing them like that anyway) and let’s focus on the fun.

Every dad is interested in something. Today we’re focusing on the dads who like the real deal — billiards, pool, and more. These Father’s Day gifts for Dad’s game room or man cave are sure to impress Dad (and make the other dads in the neighborhood want to come over for a fun day of games (and lots of dad jokes)).

Awesome Father’s Day gifts for the man cave

1. CLASSIC ARCADE GAME. Imagine Dad waking up to a classic arcade game with a big bow on it! I don’t know about you, but my dad would be shocked and very excited. What makes a classic arcade game an even funner gift is that he can actually use it (even if he doesn’t end up using it, just being able to say that he has one is good enough).  (That wallet you got for him last year might be used, but even an unused classic arcade game still scores high brownie points.)

2. ANTIQUE POOL TABLE. This is when the saying “old is gold” comes in heavy. There is a selection of highly sought after antique pool tables on the market, and Dad could up his bragging rights (and gaming skills) with this gift. There are also a variety of antique racks, cues, and accessories that you could pair with the table for the whole look! After all, a game room is all about themes.

Check out this selection of used and antique tables and start your search for Dad’s perfect Father’s Day gift.

3. CUSTOM BILLIARD BALL SETS. Whether it’s graphics that showcase your team’s home and/or away colors or an otherworldly metallic silver, stylized billiard ball sets make the game more interesting to play. There are also options on the market that allow you to customize billiard ball sets, so whatever Dad’s favorite hobby is outside of gaming, you can pay homage with personalized billiard ball sets!

SHOP: Custom Los Angeles Angels billiard ball set HERE and custom galaxy style billiard ball set HERE.

4. BILLIARDS POOL TABLE LIGHTING. Nothing says “play your best game ” better than having the right pool table lights. Maybe one of Dad’s lights has been out for some time, or maybe he just needs an upgrade, or maybe a few extra light fixtures would look cooler. Regardless of the reason, billiard light fixtures are designed to put 100 percent of the lighting directly on the pool table. So when Dad is playing, he’s guaranteed to have a little more focus with the extra lights.

5. TEXAS HOLD ‘EM TABLE. For those Dads who prefer a night of high stakes to sports, you can get him a Texas Hold ‘Em table that can seat up to ten players at a cup holder apiece! Or Dad could just do five players who get two cup holders… we’ll leave that choice up to him.

6. PORTABLE BEER PONG TABLE. Dad needs a portable beer pong table… this isn’t up for debate! (It is, but for the sake of Father’s Day, it isn’t.) Set it up in Dad’s game room or man cave whenever. What’s even better is that the beer pong table folds up and can be transported from the game room to anywhere else with ease.

Related article(s): Father’s Day Gifts For The Game Room!; Game Room Decor: 25 Ways to Level Up Your Game Room;

Other gifts you can give Dad to compliment his game room (DIY-friendly)

7. A VERTICAL WALL-MOUNTED CHESSBOARD. This DIY vertical chess set hangs on the wall and is ultra convenient for those times when you have to stop in the middle of a game and don’t have time to finish. With this gift, Dad can pick up where he left off anytime. Learn how to make it here.

8. DARTBOARD CABINET MADE OF WINE CORKS. The worst part about playing darts is that when you miss, it can damage not only your ego but also the wall behind the dartboard if it’s not protected. But one solution to this problem is wine corks. All you need is a large frame, paint (optional), glue, and, of course, corks. The final product is a cheap, easy to make cabinet that will protect the wall behind a dartboard and look pretty good doing it — also: Dad will definitely appreciate it and put it to good use! Check out the tutorial here.

9. SCRABBLE WALL DÉCOR. These are so easy to make and are very inexpensive. You’ll need a few materials, but what you’ll mainly need is time. These giant DIY Scrabble pieces are ideal if Dad’s game room has wall space that could use a little bit of love. Learn the easiest way to make large DIY Scrabble tiles here and here. And what’s even better is that you could double these up as Scrabble coasters in lieu of drink markers or wine charms or use for outdoor decor (just be sure to apply an outdoor sealer/varnish to protect from the elements).

10. WINE BARREL DARTBOARD CABINET (WALL-MOUNTED). Have a sweet-looking barrel mounted to Dad’s man cave wall — with a twist. Once opened, there’s a game of darts ready to be played. This wine barrel/dart board cabinet includes a built-in wall protector and chalkboard to keep score. Check out details on how to make this here. Or you can purchase a pre-made one here.

11. PERSONALIZED MAN CAVE PLAQUE. This modern classic combines a vintage real-wood sign with a contemporary attitude. Perfect as a personalized gift for the man cave game room that allows authorized personnel only.

12. DIY “GUYS GAME NIGHT” COUPONS. These are the type of gifts that keep on giving long after Father’s Day. Have your kids give him a few homemade “Guys Game Night” coupons that he can cash in throughout the year for a night with just the guys. Not only will this gift make Dad happy, but it’s a fun activity for your kids as well! Your husband could even cash in one of those coupons for a day with the kids and give you a break, so, really, these are gifts are for you, too! You’re welcome.

Categories
Foosball

The ultimate guide to restoring an old foosball table

guide to restoring an old foosball table​

Preview: Learn how to bring that old foosball table back to life and get that competitive fun back this summer!

guide to restoring an old foosball tableIf you have an old foosball table laying around and want to revamp it, chances are you’re not alone. The very first foosball table patent dates back to the 1890s so there is likely plenty of old foosball tables around that could use some sprucing up and plenty of foosball lovers who want to do some sprucing up.

For the foosball lover who enjoys a good DIY or restoration project, this guide will help you tackle foosball table restoration with ease. But as with any DIY project, planning is key.

There’s a lot to consider with this project, so we’ll walk you through (a) what to look for when buying an antique foosball table for restoration (b) tips on how to how to restore your foosball table and (c) whether buying an old foosball table is right for you.

Some things to look for when buying an antique foosball table for restoration

As one foosball player put it: “The players were filthy. The rods were rusted. The ramps (in each corner, to the side of the goal) were chipped and pulling away from the playing surface. One of the players was facing backwards.”

Maybe you’re one of those lucky foosballers who were able to find an old foosball table at a thrift store or a yard sale. Although most foosball tables should be in good condition for restoration, they have quite a few functioning pieces that all work together, like the players and the rods.

Take a quick look and see that all of the parts listed below are there. You also have to see how damaged the parts are. Remember that if some of the parts aren’t working, it’s easy enough to order new ones!

  • Goalie configuration

  • Counter-weighted players

  • Table surface

GOALIE CONFIGURATION. When you begin your hunt for the perfect used foosball table, you may notice that some tables will have only one goalie per side while others will have a three-man configuration per side. Most tables in the U.S. will have a three-man set up whereas tables in the U.K. will have a single goalie set up. Make sure the table you’re eyeing has the right goalie configuration for you.

People who like fast paced games will find the three-man goalie configuration to be more fun. Three-man configurations are also the better option for novice foosball players and children. However, if you’re more interested in refining your foosball skills, then the one-man goalie configuration will be right up your alley.

COUNTER-WEIGHTED PLAYERS. Finding a foosball table with counter-weighted players means that you’ll be able to play like the pros. Foosball players stay in a horizontal position once you release the rod — if your players are counter-weighted, you can take your shot without worrying about your other players getting in the way. In short, counter-weighted players create a better game playing experience.

TABLE SURFACE. The surface of the foosball table should feature laminated designs instead of stick-on designs. Stickers can peel and hinder game play. Also, make sure the tabletop is a smooth, hard surface because it will help your ball travel faster as you play. Many European tables feature solid wood table tops which causes the ball to move slower.

Related article(s): Should You Buy A Used Foosball Table? Important Things To Know

Tips on how to how to restore your foosball table

For scratches:

  • “I was able to sand the scratches out of the actual wooden components, and we’ll re-stain when we’re done.”

For rods:

  • “20 years of use followed by 20 years sitting in a basement isn’t a great environment for chrome rods. The chrome got pitted and wore off in spots, and where that happened, it got rusty. Which wore off more chrome. Several rods were flat-out difficult to spin. […] I went to work with super-fine steel wool, and then Brasso. And the results were… actually pretty good. The rods aren’t shiny where the chrome is missing, but they’re perfectly smooth and spin well.”

For players:

  • “I used Goo Gone, which has been my product of choice for cleaning up vintage collectible stuff over the last 15 years. […] Of course, when you clean off 40 years of filth, some paint comes off, too.” This blogger recommends keeping the players, scrubbing them white, and completely repainting them for a “blue-v-red match.”

For laminate repair:

  • “The “side edge” laminates have some chipped and missing areas.” This blogger used a bathtub crack repair kit then sanded the filled-in areas to match. 

Related article(s): Going Underground #1 – The Foosball Table Restoration and Going Underground #2 – Foosball Table Restoration – Cleanup

Should you restore an old foosball table or buy a new one — old is gold

After going through this article, you might be asking yourself why anyone would want to buy a used table instead of simply buying a new one. Well, there are a couple of reasons:

Reason #1: Affordable Prices

Many times when people are looking to pick up a used foosball table, they can find one priced well under the retail price. If you’re a savvy shopper and negotiator, you could get a high quality table that is in excellent condition for a fraction of the price.

Tip: Sometimes you can call a distributor and ask if they have any used foosball tables for sale. These tables can be refinished so they look and play like new. And, as we’ve spent this entire article discussing, used tables could also be restored.

Reason #2: Easy To Buy

The Internet makes it easy to buy just about everything, but there’s always an extra cost for shipping. By using second hand seller sites or even buying locally, all you have to do is go to the place and pick it up. It can be that easy.

If you’re looking for an affordable option with a decent array of features, you can find a used foosball table for sale on eBay or Craigslist. You could also keep an eye out for used tables at yard sales, flea markets, and even thrift shops.

Other related article(s):