Bubble Hockey FAQ
What is bubble hockey?
Similar to foosball, bubble hockey is a simulated game of ice hockey played under a shatter-proof plastic dome. While the game was most popular in the 1980s, bubble hockey tables can still be found in arcades throughout the United States.
How many players can play bubble hockey at a time?
Most bubble hockey tables are designed for two to four players per game. The players on either side use levers to control all five hockey players and the goalie, with the objective of scoring a goal.
What was the first bubble hockey table?
In the 1980s, New York-based Innovative Concepts in Entertainment (ICE) introduced the Chexx, the original dome hockey game, which pitted Cold War adversaries USA and Russia against each other. Following the end of the Cold War, Chexx was replaced by Super Chexx, in which NHL rivals USA and Canada vied for top honors.
What are the popular brands of bubble hockey tables?
In addition to the classic Chexx and Super Chexx, Shelti's Bule Line Thunderdome tables and Carrom's Singnature series are the most popular bubble hockey tables on the market.
How much do bubble hockey tables cost?
While original Chexx tables are collectors' items, Super Chexx tables cost anywhere between $2,000 for refurbished models to over $3,000 for new ones. The tables by Carrom, Shelti, and Harvard are usually priced between $500 and $1,500.
What are the rules of bubble hockey?
The official IBHF (International Bubble Hockey Federation) rules are:
- There are three, 90-second periods in a game. Side of play is determined by coin flip.
- The puck must stay in the net, and be registered by the game unit for a goal to be scored.
- If regulation time ends in a tie, or a team is losing by one goal, then the game will be played until there is one decisive winner.
- Tournament Play: If one team is ahead by two goals at the end of regulation, the game is over.
- If the game malfunctions, the game will be replayed no matter what the score is.
- Roughing the game will result in immediate disqualification. Examples of roughing include lifting, shaking, moving, and kicking the game, striking the dome, etc.
- Players must be respectful and show good sportsmanship while playing. Foul language is discouraged. Spectators are not permitted to touch the game during play, including pushing the Boo button.
- Penalties are called when violations occur involving Play Stalling, Spinning Players, and Shaking Goaltenders.
- Play Stalling: Players are not permitted to stall play by deliberately holding puck for extended periods of time. A player may request a 5-Count (counted as one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, etc.) from the referee if their opponent is stalling play. The player receiving the count must then pass or shoot at the end of the 5-Count. Failure to move the puck on the 5-Count will receive a penalty.
- Spinning Players: Players are permitted to spin players for a maximum of one second per instance. Excessive spinning will result in a penalty.
- Shaking Goaltenders: Players may shake the goaltender back and forth to the point of moving the puck. Goaltender shaking that causes the puck to move on the ice surface will receive a penalty.
- Penalties are enforced in a two-step process. First penalty: player will receive a warning from the referee (yellow card). Second penalty: player will be disqualified by the referee (red card).