French style (Babyfoot) - Bonzini Football Tables

French Football Tables, like our range of Bonzini Babyfoot Tables, typically feature a playing surface with more grip, slowing down the ball and allowing for better ball control. The ball used on French tables is also usually made of a lightweight cork, again enhancing a player's control over the ball. Players can trap the ball under the players' feet and pass from side to side - skilful players can wrong-foot their opponents and manoeuvre around defenders.

French tables also generally feature aluminium players as opposed to hard plastic ones found on Italian models. Aluminium players are heavier, which again helps with trapping the ball.

All in all, the extra control offered on a French Football Table arguably makes the game more skilful, albeit more methodical at times. The ability to slow the ball down, pass between players and perform fakes and tricks opens up new dimensions to the game. Ultimately, skill and patient play is rewarded rather than just quick reactions and instinctive shots.

Italian style - Garlando Football Tables

We stock an extensive range of Garlando football tables, high quality, innovative, and intelligently designed tables that are made in Italy. A Garlando Football Table tends to offer a much faster game. It is played with a smoother plastic ball which, coupled with the hard, slick playing surface, increases the speed of play and allows for less control compared to a French one. The speed and intensity is effectively ramped up, often adding to the excitement and thrill of the football game.

Italian style tables are also more widely available than the French varieties. Often this results in better value for money and a much greater choice.

Many people prefer Garlando tables as the speed and lightning fast reactions can result in more excitement and relentless, end to end action. Passing and ball manipulation skills are still needed, but on these tables the ball rarely comes to rest and players with quick reactions and swift natural timing tend to come out on top.

Features for Pubs, Bars and revenue-generating tables

Coin operated and pay-to-play Football Tables can be a great way to generate extra income for pubs, bars, clubs and other commercial venues. It's a very popular game and some pubs and bars even have a separate games room as table football can get very noisy! However, tables tend to get treated with less care and respect by boisterous punters so additional features and reinforced parts are usually required.

Football Tables fitted with reinforced glass tops are designed to protect the table from a variety of hazards, such as dust, debris and drinks falling into the table. The sealed top also prevents ball tampering, damage to the surface, rods and players, as well as stopping goal blocking and cheating. Pay-to-play tables usually also have a ball 'chute' or 'channel' that keeps the balls with the table and prevents ball loss.

Pubs and other revenue-generating entities will require a coin mechanism so that players are required to pay for each game. The coin mechanisms can be set to take different amounts allowing you to set your own price for a game. The cash is then safely stored inside a locked box within the table that only the key-holder can get to.

If you're interested in more information or setting up a team, landlords or owners may be interested in the British Foosball Association's guide to running a Foosball event.

Other Factors To Consider

An important consideration to take into account is the intensity and frequency of the use of the table. If the Football Table is primarily for young children at home, a smaller children's or domestic table would be fine. For clubs and recreation rooms, a sturdier table would be needed if it's to last more than a few months. And at the top level - for pubs, bars, prisons, student common rooms, schools and public use - extremely robust tables are requisite.

Safety concerns should also be addressed, particularly in tables for schools where telescopic bars are often a required health and safety feature ensuring football tables are suitable for kids. Although purists prefer standard 'through' bars, telescopic bars prevent accidents caused by bars being pushed through the table and hitting the opponent (usually not deliberately, but look out for the occasional 'dirty player'!).

Branding

If you're using your foosball table as a fun part of your company's PR and marketing, we'd be happy to arrange to have your company logo printed on the table and accessories as part of your branding exercise.

Space

Space is another consideration in some circumstances because a table can take up a fair amount of room, especially in a house. For domestic games, Football Tables with folding legs are often a good idea. These allow you to put the table up against a wall or store it in a large cupboard when not in use. However, with folding legs, robustness can often be compromised, which can be a problem for pubs and clubs where the table will get a lot of use. Therefore, for businesses, we would always recommend investing in a static table.

Outdoor Football Tables

For the summer, you may want to consider outdoor football tables that are weatherproof and robust enough to withstand a UK summer! Great for summer camps to keep everyone entertained in the evenings, or to put in the garden so friends and family can all get to play football games even when the Football League is taking a well earned break!

We stock a comprehensive range of table football tables and accessories, so if you are struggling to make up your mind about which one is the most suitable for you, please contact us and our team of experts would be glad to help you with your decision.