Before You Buy A Foosball Table

Contrary to popular notion, foosball or table football is not mere child’s play.  The game has indeed provided good playtime for countless young children but it can be brought to a much higher level in terms of skills and competitive edge.  This is why it is important to own a table that will remain useful and suitable for advanced play.  Quality foosball tables provide more play capabilities and have a higher resale value.

Foosball is a table-top game which is loosely based on football.  Its inventor wanted to replicate the games in the home setting.  His inspiration for the invention was said to be a box of matches.  The game is essentially played by using figures mounted on rotating bars for the purpose of kicking the ball towards the opposing goal.  The game has set rules and is won when one team is able to score a number of goals that has been predetermined.  Competitions usually declare five (5), ten (10) or eleven (11) goals.

Notwithstanding the very fun nature of the game, foosball is considered a sport requiring only the best equipments to allow a player to excel.  A typical table is about four (4) feet long, two (2) feet wide and three (3) feet in height.  Some so-called luxury versions are as wide as seven (7) meters which can take eleven (11) players to a side.  A typical foosball table accommodates two (2) teams having one (1) or two (2) players controlling at least four (4) rows of foos men.  The table would usually have eight (8) rows of men having a configuration that puts the goal keeper, defense, opponent’s attack, midfield, opponent’s midfield, attack, opponent’s defense, and opponent’s goal keeper in specific order when seen from left to right of the table.

Foosball tables are found and played in such venues as pubs, bars, schools, workplaces, and clubs with very few rules since it is played for fun. Organized competitions however, are played with much stricter rules and regulations and are considered big money events.  This is the world of expert players who are able to perform at their peak by training on professional foosball tables.

There are some basic features of a quality foosball table.  These features are directly related to assisting players’ skills development that is considered essential to the sports.  These include a consistent roll or surface, a “round” ball that truly rolls, and an over-all product that allows players to stop, pin and maneuver the ball in a seemingly effortless manner. A table of this kind would cost at least $ 500.00.  Prices vary depending on the brand.

Serious buyers of foosball table should be on the look-out for possible negative points such as poor construction and inferior material quality.  Players are targeting excellent feel between man, ball and surface.  Inferior tables may have considerable areas where no playing figure can reach the ball.  They may not also be able to withstand the rigors of the constant banging of the side walls which may cause them to separate.

Foosball tables fall into four (4) main categories: commercial-duty, professional, competition and recreational.  Recreational-rated tables are suitable as starters and for home use while competition-rated tables are suitable for heavy use. Commercial-duty and professional-rated tables accommodate most physical play and are designed to allow for skilled-style of play. 

Players are able to effectively develop their skill and personal strategy through a foosball table that is able to accommodate such purpose.  Quality or the lack of it can be seen in the many parts that make up the whole such as the bearings, rods, legs, playing surface, and the cabinet.