Game mimicks soccer well

At some point in our lives how we view ‘games’ seems to change.

We are eager at 10, 15, to drag out checkers with dad, chess with big brothers, cribbage boards with grandparents.

In our later teens many explore role playing games.

And then we hit the point in life where jobs and family monopolize our times, and we get up from the gaming table sadly many never to return.

It is a cultural reality in North America I suspect. I say that because in many countries adults remain avid gamers.

And that brings me to Button Soccer, a game with a definite adult following, at least in the countries where it is widely popular.

Button Soccer is a traditional Hungarian and Brazilian soccer game.

The game is one of those skill based games which is also considered a sport by some.  Yes there is an international group promoting the sport aspect (www.isbf.info).

And, if you search sectorball (a version of the game Button Soccer) on Facebook there are pages dedicated to it as well.

This is a game I admit I have never played, but is one that has long intrigued me.

Of course finding sets when the game is primarily based in Hungary and Brazil is near impossible. Even eBay, the site where you can find practically anything you seek, seems devoid of sets.

Interestingly, according to the database at www.boardgamegeek.com “there are five major different sets of rules, three in Brazil (Bahia, Rio, São Paulo), and two in Hungary: a simple one used by casual players and a very detailed official one. In common, all are played on a large smooth table, the players are round (in the past large buttons were used) and are moved by pressing a pick, finger, or comb on its edge. Depending on the set of rules each player (coach) will have one or more turns at a time.”

So as the name implies, the game simulates soccer; the board depicts a soccer field and both players control a team of disks (or rings), and move them by flicking or pressing their edges, in order to hit a smaller disc (the ball) with them.

Online I have seen homemade versions which are simply larger buttons, although the type in terms of being stable on the board, and their weight. Still you can see how the game developed from people using what they had at hand.

So the idea is rather straight forward. The pieces, (buttons), represent soccer players. As the controlling player you try to flick your buttons onto the ball, and into the goal, for a point.

Being a crokinole lover, I had expected a flicking game, and while button soccer is that, you do not generally use your fingers. I say generally because as noted rule sets are diverse.

The method to move players is a piece of plastic which resembles a small hair comb, which I have seen reported as what was originally used with homemade button versions. The game dates back to around 1911 so you can imagine what was used was less defined than in modern sets.

The ‘comb’ is pushed down on the edge of the button, a skill I suspect takes time to perfect, and the pressure pushes the button forward.

It’s pretty clear the game would be on where skill wins out, your competitive nature can be satisfied, and where there would be tons of camaraderie would exist in a weekly league, or games room gathering. It might be fun to even build some sets with good old-fashioned buttons, grab a few combs and hit the table pitch. Anyone interested? ([email protected])