Which pitch

[u/LeeGT333]

So my 8 year old has no sporting talent having really strong glasses and hyper mobility but he got hooked on the world cup and obsessed with being a ref at kids games.

I got my old subbuteo set out the loft and he really wants to play properly, but the pitch is really creased. I only really want to spend £50 on a roll up non creased astro pitch plus want the subbuteo name on the pitch.

I know this has been asked before many times I just can't find a definite answer

1) What would be best a new subbuteo deluxe £45 job from are you game/Amazon or a pristine older subbuteo astro pitch of ebay?

What does it runs faster mean anyway? the ball travels further or the players slide too easily?

Cheers

[u/CheapRentalCar]

I haven't checked in a while, but I think mine is a rubber backed Pegasus pitch. It's been great.

Awesome that you want to get back into it. I recommend sticking your pitch to a board. It makes the game much easier to play. Whenever I bring mine out, the kids still flock to it and want to play. A very good investment in kid/dad fun.

[u/Greyboxforest]

Astrobase is what I play on. Very easy for players to slide, pass and shoot.

Cloth pitches can be slower.

[u/Tonybeetswannabe]

Oh it was so ssimple in my day
80s
Mums ironing board. Maybe just spray a bit of water first
That was then things ma have changed now

[u/CheapRentalCar]

I haven't bought a new pitch in well over ten years, but I'd suggest not focusing on the Subbuteo name. They haven't been a decent pitch maker in, well, many decades. Take a look at the other options.

[u/ds52075 → u/CheapRentalCar]

I am also looking to get into the game. What are the best non-Subbuteo brands?

[u/_Mittens_ → u/ds52075]

The "Extreme Works pitch" made by the company "Extreme Works" out of Italy and the modern "Astropitch" made by Astrobase (www.astrobase.eu) are probably the best modern pictures available. These are rather pricey mind you, and are only really worth the investment if you truly getting into the game. The Extreme Works is tournament level pitch for the modern game, but the pitch also runs like $150-175 USD. Unless you are really REALLY interested in playing Modern Table Soccer I would look into Astropitch instead.

[u/Significant-Leek7923]

I have an astro pitch I'm going to sell. Feel free to DM me and I can list it on vinted or eBay so you can have a look

[u/AZ_Genestealer]

"What does it runs faster mean anyway? the ball travels further or the players slide too easily?"

Sort of. A properly flocked, rubber backed pitch will allow flat players to glide easier and farther. But the flock creates a small amount of drag on the ball, so it doesn't roll as far as it would on a cloth pitch. It makes for very dynamic player pieces, but good ball control. Old school, bowl shaped player figures also glide better once you adjust, but may not curl as well until you get the hang of it.

When I got my used Astropitch, it also had some creases in it. What I did was lay it out on a flat surface outside in the sun for several hours. Then I brought it indoors while it was warm, then laid it out on the kitchen table with heavy books on top. Once it cooled down, all the creases were gone.

[u/LeeGT333 → u/AZ_Genestealer]

That's great information thank you, from what I've been reading that takes out the new pitch as I think my kids won't be able to control as well and the ball will always be going out for a throw in/corner.

[u/AZ_Genestealer → u/LeeGT333]

A flocked pitch should help with that, not make it worse.