17. 2. 2025

ABOUT GAMES

BILLIARD-HOCKEY (SO CALLED „ŠPRTEC“)

HISTORY

The original name of this game is „šprtec.“ It originated in Moravia in the late 19th century; the name comes from a South Moravian dialect word meaning „push“. For decades, children and adults played „šprtec“ using coins or buttons, following various rules. The first unification of the game’s rules occurred in 1960 in Brno, Czechoslovakia, when three ten-year-old boys established the Table Hockey League Brno, which is still active today. The rules and equipment from that time were similar to those used today. A significant development occurred in 1980 when the Czechoslovakian (Czech) national championships began. International connections and the game’s expansion started in the early 1990s, when a new name was adopted: Billiard-Hockey (as the Czech word „šprtec“ is difficult for some to pronounce). In 1992, the European Championship and the World Cup were organized in Brno, Czechoslovakia. One of the three Table Hockey League Brno founders, Dr. Jiří Ventruba, served as the first president of the World Table Hockey Association (WTHA) from 1992 to 2000.

HOW TO PLAY

Billiard-hockey is a game for two players. It uses billiard principles. The players play the draughts by the hockey stick. By the draught, they try to shoot the puck and score a goal. Choose the language and see how to play in the short version of the rules.

RULES download

Czechshort version (PDF), official rulebook (PDF – external link)

Englishshort version (PDF), official rulebook (PDF)

French: short version (PDF)

Germanshort version (PDF)

Japaneseshort version (PDF)

Polishshort version (PDF)

Russianofficial rulebook (PDF)

Spanish: short version (PDF)

Swedishshort version (PDF)

Ukrainianshort version (PDF)

EQUIPMENT

To play billiard-hockey you need this equipment:

Playground – it is made by wood and looks like a model of ice-hockey rink

Two goals – metal structures and nets

Set of „draughts“ for each player; the set consints of „goalkeeper“ and 5 other „draughts“; all „draughts“ are wooden – paper stickers („jerseys“) are sticked on the upper side of draughts

Hockey-stick for each player; it is usually plastic

The puck – wooden

To participate in the competition, you do not need to have your own playground, as the organizer will provide one. However, you will need to bring your own hockey stick, a set of draughts, and a puck. The organizer should be happy to lend equipment to beginners.

If you wish to purchase billiard-hockey equipment, please contact official sellers for a detailed price list and selling conditions.

In Czech Republic:

Mr. Dalibor KYZLINK
Bayerova 45, 602 00 BRNO
mailto: dkyzlink@uhshbrno.cz
phone: +420-777 87 64 87 (Martin Kučera)

In Russia (not confirmed):

“Mashinki” store – Магазин “МАШИНКИ”
Mohovaia st. 31, ST.PETERSBURG
mailto: mashinki@mail.ru
phone: +7- (812) 579-8362

Interested persons from other countries can buy the equipment during international tournaments or can connect directly WTHA to arrange the conditions.

Price list:

  • B-H complete equipment: 195,00 EUR (it contains playground, 2 goals, 2 teams, 3 hockey sticks, 3 pucks)
  • Hockey stick – 1 piece: 1,50 EUR
  • Puck – 1 piece: 0,30 EUR
  • Draughts with stickers – 1 set: 6,00 EUR
  • Goal– 1 piece: 15,00 EUR (construction and net)

Exact prices depend on topical offer and the rates of exchange. Postal charges are not counted in the mentioned prices.

OTHER DISCIPLINES

Although the World Table Hockey Association was established to lead billiard-hockey competitions, the WTHA is also open to other table hockey and table football disciplines. The WTHA organizes or cooperates in organizing competitions and non-competitive shows mainly in these disciplines:

AIR-HOCKEY

RULES

Czech (PDF)

English (PDF)

German (PDF)

ROD-HOCKEY CHEMOPLAST

RULES

Czech (PDF)

English (PDF)

For more information about these disciplines or for integration your own table hockey to WTHA connect us.

Since 2008, the World Table Hockey Association has organized European championships and World Championships in Multitable – table hockey contests as well.