Table football rules
Learn to play table football
A symbol of how players have made the game their own, table football has as many rules as there are players in the world. But the general principle is always the same: inspired by football, two teams of eleven players attached to rods compete to score more goals than the opposing team.
What is not allowed in table football
Despite the different rules around the world, certain moves or actions are banned during a table football match.
- Putting your hands on or in the table while the ball is in play.
- Deliberately or accidentally moving the table to unsettle the opposing team.
- Twisting the rods, which would generally damage the table (see how to care for your table football).
- Any attempt to distract or disturb your opponents.
Simplified rules
Alone or in teams of 2, here are the simplified official rules of table football, so everyone can enjoy playing with friends or family:
Number of points
Official competition matches are played to 5 points, with the winner taking 3 of 5 games. If the score reaches 2 games all, the 5th game decides and must be won by a 2-point margin, up to a maximum of 8 points.
The kick-off
Each game begins with a kick-off. To decide which team gets this advantage, it is customary to draw lots. A golden goal can also determine who kicks off.
Before any kick-off or restart, it is customary to ask the opposing team “Ready?” and wait for the reply “Ready!”.
A goal scored by the midfielders at kick-off does not count, unless the ball was deflected by the opposing team’s defenders.
Stopped balls and restarts
If the ball stops between two rods, it is given to the defenders on the side where it is stuck. If it stops between the midfield rods, it goes back to the side that last kicked off.
If a ball leaves the table, it is given to the defenders of the side that did not last have possession.
Changing positions or teams
In a team match or tournament, players often want to swap positions with their partner, moving from defense to attack and vice versa. Each change of position must take place at a kick-off or during a timeout.
Café rules
Since table football was created and players around the world made it their own, new rules have appeared, notably in cafés and bistros, the game’s traditional home.
Demis, pissettes, roulettes, gamelles and râteaux are terms specific to café rules. Before each match, make sure you and your opponent are following the same rules and agree on the unofficial rules you want to apply.
Some examples of unofficial rules
Goals scored by the midfielders, for example, do not count, and give the next goal double value. “La pêche” (fishing) is also a common café practice in which players can retrieve the ball from the opposing goal once a goal has been scored. As the goals on Cornilleau table football tables are stainless steel, we do not recommend this practice, which could cause injuries or cuts. Conversely, certain moves allowed in competition are banned under café rules. “Pissettes”, goals scored with the right-side forward, do not count in cafés yet are allowed in competition.
Find all the technical terms in our table football glossary.
