Crokinole Board Types - Octagon vs. Circular - MDF, Plywood, Resin, Melamine, Laminate, Plastic
Octagon Boards
Octagon shaped crokinole boards are very common and many Canadians grew up playing on one. They would often be made of solid wood and over 50 years old. Many would have screws or nails for the middle posts. Older octagon boards would often be stained and have a thin rail. Their surface would be 26 inches (large) and the game itself would be well loved and played often around the dinner table.
Today there is an abundance of selection of octagon shaped boards. There is everything from cheap laminate boards made in China to expensive Russian Baltic Birch plywood boards made in Canada.
Today, octagon boards generally have a thicker rail than a circular board does. This makes them more durable and less prone to damage in shipping. Octagon boards on the whole cost less than a round board does.
The play on an octagon board is the same in terms of rules but a round shaped board allows discs to be transferred around the ditch more easily. Also, on a round board your hand is always at the same distance from the shooting line giving you a more consistent shooting experience.
On the whole, an octagon board is a great option for new and returning players as there are a lot of models available and they are cheaper than a round board and less prone to damage. Octagon boards are perfect for hosting informal tournaments, bringing to family functions, and enjoying day-to-day regular play.
Product Link: The Baltic Bircher
Circular Boards
Like octagon boards, circular boards have been around since the beginning of crokinole. Circular boards make it easier to separate the shooting discs during rounds and most circular boards tend to be made of medium density fiberboard with a thin and very smooth veneer made of Maple. Thus, circular boards are the choice for competitive tournament play. The only downside to a circular board is that the rail is thinner and more prone to damage when compared to an octagon board. It is a good idea to buy a padded carrying case for a round board or have a box with styrofoam strips in it to pad against any accidental drops.
Product Link: The Royal Blue
Artisan Inlay Boards
Crokinole boards often get hung on a wall for easy play and an interesting display of "art". Artisan boards will often have something creative about them which makes them display well as wall art. Some boards have fancy line designs, while others make use of exotic wood veneers to give the board a stylized look. Artisan boards can also include the use of resin to make colourful surfaces with swirls and interesting patterns. In terms of playability, artisan boards are no different than regular lined boards and even with patterns on the surface the game can be enjoyed without distraction. It is a myth that the pattern will distract from the gameplay as they eyes are generally focused on the playing pieces and center hole and not the playing surface during play. If you want something cool to look at during the day and generate interest with your visitors, consider getting an artisan style board!
Product Link: Exotic Inlay Boards
Photographic Boards
Photographic boards make use of UV (Ultra Violet) printing to bring large photographs to the surface of a crokinole board. These boards are meant for display and play. They play normally and the photograph makes for an interesting touch to the game board while not being played. These boards will make people ask, "what is that on your wall?".
Product Link: Photographic Boards
Boards by Material:
MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard)
MDF is the most common material choice for crokinole boards whether round or octagon. Because of price and availability, this material is often selected. It also tends to have a very smooth veneered surface which makes it optimal for tournament play. Most crokinole boards use veneered Maple MDF for their playing surface.
Example MDF Boards: Round Tournament Boards
Plywood
Plywood is also a common material choice for octagon and round boards. There is Canadian ply which is less uniform than Russian Birch ply. Both are great choices though and with the right amount of sanding, waxing, and buffing you can have or obtain a tournament speed crokinole board. Plywood boards can have wood patches in them but most makers will ensure these patches are on the underside of the board during construction or not present at all.
Example Plywood Board: The Crokinole Master
Solid Wood
Solid wood boards are now very rare and expensive. This is because solid wood expands and contracts with humidity. So solid wood boards need a mechanism which allows for this expansion or contraction. Some boards use strong magnets instead of gluing the top playing surface to the base. This creative solution allows for the movement of the wood over the base. Solid wood boards have a very hard surface which is smooth and the speed is tournament level. A solid wood board is meant to last for generations.
Melamine
Melamine is a cheaper new comer to the crokinole world and it is a heavier material than laminate. It is versatile in that you can get different colors and styles of "wood grain". Laminate is used in kitchen cabinet construction. It is smooth yet it is susecptible to chipping. It would save you money and be a good beginner step into the game of crokinole.
Example Melamine Board: Cherry Walnut Board
Resin Boards
Resin boards are a relatively new invention in the crokinole world. They seem to be consistent in play and with the discs being the same material they may have a slightly different feel in playing with wooden boards and discs. It would seem as though a resin disc could be slightly heavier than a wooden disc although this needs to be verified.
Laminate
Laminate boards are very light and cheap. They do have wooden discs but the pegs in the center are often not glued in properly and end up falling out. It would be advisable to stay away from most laminate crokinole boards as they are not durable.
Plastic
Plastic boards are very cheap and light. It is not a great choice for a crokinole board as it would be prone to damage.