Bubble Hockey Rules

Bubble hockey is a game version of ice hockey. The bubble hockey game has moving levers that control small hockey figures. Bubble hockey is sometimes referred to as dome hockey, due to the domed plastic bubble that covers the game. First manufactured in the 1980s, bubble hockey remains a popular arcade game and has official teams, leagues and rules.

Rules of Play

Players flip a coin to determine which side to play. Two players, or two teams of two players each, move figures with levers in an attempt to move the puck into the net and score a goal. A game consists of three 90-second periods of play. During game play, spectators are not to touch the bubble hockey game unit. A decisive win is scoring two points above the other team. If the score is tied or a team is behind by only one goal after three periods, the game will be continued until there is a winner. The same applies to tournament rules, where the game is over when a team is ahead by two goals by the end of regulation time. Players must reset the score and restart the game if the game unit malfunctions.

Scoring

Players score a goal by moving the puck into the net. Pucks that bounce in and out of the net quickly, even if the game unit registers the goal, are not scored.

Penalties

A player receives a yellow warning penalty card for the first penalty offense, and a red disqualification card for the second penalty offense. A player may receive a penalty for play stalling, shaking goaltenders and spinning players. A player will receive a play-stalling penalty for holding the puck for more than a five-count. A five-count. If a player suspects another player of stalling, he may request the referee to perform a five-count. At the end of the referees five-count, the player must shoot or pass the puck. If the player does not shoot or pass the puck at the end of a five-count, that player will receive a penalty.

A player may shake the goaltender in order to move the puck with the goaltender. Shaking the goaltender and causing the puck to move on the ice surface without first contacting with the goaltender is considered a penalty.

A player will also receive a penalty if they spin a figure for more than one second per instance.

Disqualification

Players are immediately disqualified if they treat the bubble hockey unit in a rough manner. Lifting, moving or shaking the bubble hockey unit is roughing the game and merits disqualification. Kicking or striking the bubble hockey unit or the dome is cause for immediate disqualification.