- BGG rank
- BGG #2,265
- BGG rating
- 7.3
Set & Match
- 2–4 players
- 15–30 min
- Complexity 1.2/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #5,511
- BGG rating
- 7.3
Rod Hockey
1932
Rules assistance for Rod Hockey
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 1.4/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Rod Hockey
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Rod Hockey is a board game released in 1932 for 2–4 players and 20 minutes per game. It was designed by Don Munro and its main mechanics are Simulation.
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About the game
Rod Hockey is a relatively inexpensive representation of the dome-style hockey games found in many arcade halls. Using steel rods, plastic or metal hockey players slide along defined track segments. There are five players and one goalie per side, just like real hockey. Players simultaneously turn and move their five metal rods to shoot the puck and pass. Games can be played using a timer or to a set number of points. Many different versions of this game have been published over the last 50+ years. Steel rods with metal gears were used before plastic ones, the plastic gear system was quickly abandoned as gears would not last. From there a curved spring was used (ImageID: 427829) from rod to player holding slider. This worked well for durability. This changed the game though considerably, as there was a bit of spring action in shooting. Slap shots were less powerful, but wrist shots worked better. Many different ice layouts were made for rod and player movement within the defined track segments. Swiveled tracks made players look like they were skating down the ice. This changed play and tactics for each game, it was considered having home ice advantage, as you were used to your game surface design. You knew how the puck bounced off the boards and where to exploit the best scoring chances. Various pucks were used, heavier ones worked better with the gear system, lighter ones worked better with the spring system. The puck with the steel ball in center moved the fastest and was most popular for the avid player.
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- 4Kidz, Inc.
- Coleco Industries, Inc.
- Radio Shack
- Stiga
Questions and answers
Rod Hockey supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Rod Hockey is 20 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
Rod Hockey has a complexity rating of 1.4 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Rod Hockey belongs to these categories: Action / Dexterity and Sports. Its main mechanics are Simulation. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Rod Hockey are: Don Munro. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Rod Hockey as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.