Penny football (also coin football, sporting coin, spoin, table football, tabletop football,[1] or shove ha'penny football[2]) is a coin game played upon a table top. The aim of the game is for a player to score more goals with the pennies than their opponent.[3]

If a player flicks a bottletop (1) to a particular point on the table, they can follow by flicking a different top (2) between the other two, to the goal

The game has been in existence since at least 1959.[4] An electronic version of the game has also been produced.[5]

Gameplay edit

Version 1

Players flip a coin to decide who goes first. The winner of the flip starts the game by holding three coins clasped together in their hands, shaking the coins like dice, then letting them go.

The object of the game is to flick a coin through the other two coins. This is the way in which players move the ball up the table. If the coin falls off the table or fails to pass through the other two coins, it becomes the opposing player's ball and is placed near their end of the table. A player may continue to flick any of the three coins through the other two until they wish to shoot. At this point, the opposing player places their pinky finger and index finger flat on the table, so that the middle two knuckles of their hand are flat with the table edge. The first player then shoots in any way they wish, while still hitting a coin between the other two coins. If the coin touches the opponent's knuckles, this counts as a goal.

There is another variation of the game in which players use four coins, the fourth coin representing a goalkeeper. Again, the opposing player puts out their index and pinky fingers, but also puts the fourth coin under their index finger. The coin acts as a "goalkeeper", and may be used to block shots. They then stick out the pinky finger of their other hand and place it right next to the other hand to form the other post of the goal. The two hands should be touching. If the player blocks the shot with their index finger, the shot counts as a goal.


Version 2

Flip a coin to see who goes first. You start with one coin half off the table and the other two making an inverted pyramid facing you. You hi the coin with your palm, start play from there. The player can only flick the coin closest to them. You flick it through the other two coins. If it goes all the way through, you go again. If it doesn't clear the other two coins, your opponent starts from their side. If you hit another coin, the opponent gets a field goal from their side of the table. Put your pinky and pointer finger on the table so that your knuckle are slightly above the table. Your opponent flicks the coin. If it hits your knuckles, they get three points. If you do do clear the coins, go again. You have 4 "plays" (or however many you decide). By the fourth one, you need to flick a coin so it is hanging over the edge of the table. If it goes over, it becomes your opponents turn, If it stays on the table but hangs over, you get a "touchdown", scoring 7 points. It becomes your opponents turn

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "The alternative student olympics". The Independent. 2008-09-18. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
  2. ^ "Shove Ha'penny Football". Archived from the original on 2009-03-22. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
  3. ^ Byl, John (2002). Co-ed recreational games. Human Kinetics. p. 37. ISBN 0-7360-3455-2. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
  4. ^ Wesker, Arnold (1994). As much as I dare. Century. pp. 114, 128. ISBN 0-7126-5918-8. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
  5. ^ "JVC kicks off digital football game in good time for UEFA Euro 2008". New Media Age. 2008-03-06. Retrieved 2009-03-13.