Everything You Need To Know About The Different Types Of Foosball Tables

Everything You Need To Know About The Different Types Of Foosball Tables

Choosing among the many types of foosball tables for your space is exciting. Foosball tables are one of the best ways to entertain family and friends during game nights or afternoons on the weekend. It offers you a perfect way to keep everyone occupied for hours trying to beat the other team.

You can form a team of twos or fours and skillfully move the small ball across the table while trying to score goals. The game offers an intense adrenaline rush to players who try to win over their opponents.

A regular foosball table size is smaller than a pool table and can fit in smaller spaces like studio apartments or college dorm rooms. There are many types of foosball table versions on the market so if you want to invest in one, read on to know more!

types of foosball table

A Quick History About the Game of Foosball

Foosball is a global sport that has been around for over 100 years. Foosball is derived from a German word for “foot,” pronounced “Foos.” It is believed to have originated in the United Kingdom around 1921 when Harold Searles Thornton patented the table game as “Apparatus for playing a table football game.”

The table football game became popular due to the association of football in Europe. People adopted the game quickly and started playing it with friends and family in their homes. The game borrowed the name foosball when it reached the United States via the German Imports, called “tischfußball” or table football. Soon after, it spread to other countries. It is one of the most popular table sports globally and has made its way to global tournaments.  

Depending on the geographical region one plays, the game has evolved and differs slightly in the table setting and gaming rules. Architectural designs in a region influence the table design, type of materials used, and availability of resources to construct the table. Such differences in construction influence the gaming styles ranging from adrenalin rush to slow and strategic.

In 2002, foosball reached an international level. The International Table Soccer Federation (ITSF) introduced rules and regulations for foosball tables. The standards organization picked a few table makers from four countries to design pro-tables per standard.

  • Tornado and Fireball (American-style)
  • Rosengart (Czech Republic)
  • Bonzini and Rene Pierre (French-style)
  • Deutscher Meister, Leonhardt and Tecball (German-style)
  • Roberto Sport and Garlando (Italian-style)

Popular Types of Foosball Tables

Pro-foosballers prefer top-tier foosball tables and amateurs sometimes have issues identifying the difference. If you’re buying a foosball table for professional practice, you need to be familiarized with the regulation foosball table to pick the right design and style. Depending on your region, you have different foosball tables. Let’s discuss the subtle variations that make the foosball tables stand out in other areas.

Italian Foosball Tables

Italian Foosball tables are constructed with a slippery glass surface to allow the ball to move faster and challenge control. It’s excellent for adrenaline players as each opponent works hard to control the ball using the little plastic men to strike and block when the opponent tries to score. Most Italian tables have single goalies and spring bumpers that increase the balls’ bounce when they hit the ends and the rods move. This style tends to be free and fast with less controlled passes before attempting scoring shots. Pinning the ball is challenging but exciting, especially in tournaments. Generally, the Italian design has unique qualities not similar to any other country’s playing style.

American Foosball Tables

American Foosball tables are known for their intricate and rigid surfaces that promote speed and rigidity. The table design blends the French and German styles with a little twist. This table design is rectangular with firm, straight legs. The American tables are built like home furniture, but you can get kids’ toy versions made from plastic. The tables still follow the standard regulations for a foosball table. The American style focuses on ball control, passing and strategy scoring. The little players come with textured or patterned toes to promote better shots and block the opponents’ shots.  

regulation foosball table

French Foosball Tables

French tables have soft playing surfaces with “telescopic” rods that don’t protrude on the sides. It comes in a bowl or horseshoe-like design that is safe for households with kids and ideal for small spaces. Typically these foosball tables size is moderate with a combination of heavy players, lightweight cork balls, and soft surfaces, making the game slower, fluid, and sometimes sticky to encourage finesse. The rods typically move in and out on the handle side when the players are actively playing.

German Foosball Tables

German Foosball tables are known for their vintage style that has remained authentic. It’s shaped with sloped corners and a single goalie to make it challenging for the players. The plastic men are mounted directly to the rods as one piece. The top surface is made of sanded glass or hard acrylic but is slippery enough to increase the speed and movement of the ball and player.

Spanish Foosball Tables

The Spanish foosball tables are diverse, with several features differentiating them from your typical tables. The players are placed in a more realistic soccer formation with four offensive players, three midfielders, three defensive players, and a goalie on the opposite sides. The little men are made of heavy metal with two feet apart for defense and kicking the ball further. The style of the game requires concentration with serious hand and eye coordination due to the curved table surface. When not used, the ball rolls towards the center, making it harder to shoot the ball. The table also has many back pins (like the old pinball game that came with the old computers) meant to trap the ball and maintain the ball instead of passing back and forth along the same metal rod.

Czech Republic Style

Czech foosball tables mimic American and German-style movements. Rosengart dictates the design. The style has been around for a long time but adopted the controlled snake shots and brush for fluid passing during tournaments. German Foosball tables follow German regulations.

What is a Regulation Size Foosball Table?

The standard regulation foosball table ranges from 48 to 56 inches long, 34 to 3 inches in height, and 29 to 31 inches wide. The regulations are specifically for adult tournaments, but the style, shape, and sizes can differ. Depending on your available space, you can choose from:

Traditional

These foosball tables are about 30 inches wide and 5 feet long. They are moderately heavy, with enough space for players to stand on opposite sides while playing. The traditional tables are mainly used during tournaments and would be best to practice at home.

Coffee table

These tables are ideal for small spaces and can also work as a piece of furniture. The tables come in the size and height of coffee tables, making them a good alternative for young adults in fraternity houses, dormitories, or their first studio apartments. The playing surface is covered with glass, and the players can kneel on opposite sides.

Tabletop

These units come in different sizes, from tournament size to miniature for kids. They work as a typical dining table and turn into a family entertainment table during game nights. On regular household days, they fold easily; you can bring them when camping, visiting family or friends, or simply storing them to create more space.

How Do I Choose a Foosball Table?

Once you understand the different foosball tables available in the market, it’s time to decide which ones will work best for you. The main differences would be:

Quality

Are you looking for something professional or an entertainment table for family and friends?

Cost

What is your budget and what features are you considering?

Space

How much space do you have? Will it be positioned indoors or outdoors?

Type

Are you looking for a standard table or one for different purposes?

types of foosball tables

What Kind of Foosball Table is Best?

The best type of foosball table would suit your skill level and needs. For instance, if you’re looking for a table that adults and children can participate in, it’s best to go for an entry-level one. You can choose one that is at a comfortable height for your kids and can bear the harsh treatment from the kids and upgrade later.

A good quality table with durable features and stable construction would work well for people with intermediate skill levels but who don’t play often. But for pro players, premium features are essential. So the table must be high quality, durable, and have rich details to help you improve at playing the game.

Final Thoughts

The different types of foosball tables available offer you a thrilling entertainment hub to enjoy with your family and friends. The competitive and exciting game is fun to spend the weekends together. When choosing your foosball table, you can consider the table options in the market to snag the best deals. If you’re on a budget, go for the beginner plastic tabletops or coffee tables for multipurpose. Also, you should be clear if you want an indoor or outdoor foosball table. Nonetheless, the table you’ll pick will surely bring loads of fun and bonding time to your house. It’s game on!