To play shuffleboard, follow these basic rules and steps:

Setup

• Shuffleboard is played with two players or two teams (1-4 players per team).
• Each player or team has four weighted pucks, usually colored differently to distinguish sides.
• Players stand at opposite ends of the shuffleboard table or court.

Objective

• The goal is to slide your pucks down the board and land them in the highest scoring zones without falling off the end.
• In a two-player game, the first to reach 15 points wins; in a four-player doubles game, the first team to 21 points wins

Gameplay

• Players alternate turns sliding one puck at a time down the board.
• Each round consists of both players sliding all four of their pucks.
• On your turn, you must release the puck before crossing the closest foul line; failing to do so forfeits that shot

• Pucks that stop before the farthest foul line or fall into the gutter (alley) are removed from play for that round

• You can knock your opponent’s pucks off the board to reduce their score while positioning your pucks in scoring zones

Scoring

• Only the player or team with the puck closest to the far end scores points in that round.
• Points are awarded based on the zone where the puck rests:
  • 1 point for the closest zone,
  • 2 points for the middle zone,
  • 3 points for the farthest zone,
  • 4 points if the puck is hanging off the edge of the board (overhanging)

• Pucks touching a line score the lower value of the two zones.
• The winner of the round adds the points from all their pucks that are farther than the opponent’s closest puck.
• If the closest pucks tie, no points are awarded that round

Additional Rules and Etiquette

• Players alternate shooting from opposite ends each round.
• Avoid touching the playing surface or pucks during the round except when it's your turn.
• Do not cross foul lines when shooting.
• Good sportsmanship includes shaking hands before the game and standing clear while others shoot

Summary of Play

1. Decide who shoots first.
2. Players alternate sliding their four pucks down the board.
3. After all pucks are played, score the round.
4. Repeat rounds until a player or team reaches the winning score with at least a two-point lead

This provides a clear and concise overview of how to play shuffleboard, including setup, turns, scoring, and etiquette.