Buying a foosball table is no easy feat because every detail counts.
The smallest part, the smallest accessory can influence the playability of your foosball table, its ergonomics, and of course, your enjoyment! When you're starting out in the world of foosball, it's important to understand the technical specifications of each foosball table and each accessory. Let's take a look at one of the most important pieces of equipment on a foosball table (if not THE most important): the playing surface.
You should know that a foosball pitch will offer radically different playing sensations depending on the material it's made of and its manufacturing origin. Each level of player has its own style and habits—that's the rule!
Ask yourself: what are you looking for?
Football tables with wooden mats: authenticity, durability, and speed
Aesthetic, robust, and still popular with players, wooden foosball mats are tried-and-tested accessories. Remember that the first foosball table manufacturers were all woodworking virtuosos, cabinetmakers, joiners, or carpenters. Choosing this noble material was therefore a natural choice. Table football with wooden mats offer a very fast game but are more demanding in terms of ball control. But with a little practice, even beginners will surprise themselves by making feints! Furthermore, wood is a very durable material; wooden mats age well and offer increased resistance to the sun (be careful with liquids, however!).
Good to know: Customization is easier on a wooden foosball court.
Football tables with glass courts: aesthetics, fluidity, and longevity
Are table football with glass pitch more fragile than others? Of course not! When we talk about glass foosball, we're talking about a 5mm thick tempered glass mat! Even boisterous players who love tackling can't get past it. Whether they're made of tempered glass or sandblasted glass, glass foosball pitches promise fast and exciting games. If you want to prioritize ball control, choose a sandblasted glass foosball table that "grips" the ball a little better. At first, you're always pleasantly surprised by the fluidity of the game (especially when you're used to wood). And what a look! The reflections of the glass enhance your foosball table like no other material.
Good to know: in Italy, a good foosball table is a foosball table with a glass mat!
Gerflex table football: realism, perfect ball control, Made in France
Cocorico! The Football tables with Gerflex mat are our very own football tables. This unique material was developed by Gerflor to optimize ball control. A successful bet! Gerflex mats allow the ball to reach an adequate speed (not too fast) and to be stopped easily. Gerflex table football is widely used in France and is suitable for both professional players and young novices. These are the mats that equip the irreplaceable Bonzini table football!
Good to know: a Gerflex mat requires a little more attention than its wooden or glass counterparts. Do not overexpose to the sun and protect well from humidity.
You will have understood: there are no rules concerning the choice of a table football mat. All the materials mentioned above are approved by the ITSF and also used in official championships. It depends solely on your playing habits, your desires, your level... your budget!
The best thing is to have no preconceptions and to try as many different styles of court as possible before making your choice. Keep in mind that with a little training and perseverance, you always adapt to any playing surface.
