Basically, you should strive for three main objectives, in order to win at table shuffleboard:

Well-Placed Weight – This is of paramount importance. Learn to place a Weight as far down the board as possible, without having it fall off. In Cushion Board models, learn to place it in the corners, for the highest scoring zone. This technique is best attained by frequent practice.
Attacking Opponent’s – You may have learned how to place a Weight in a high-scoring position, but so may your opponent. Thus, it is of importance to learn how to attack and knock off your opponent’s highest scoring Weights, so as to prevent them from scoring. Frequent practice will help you to develop this technique also.
Blocking Your Own Weights – When you have learned how to place Weight high in the scoring areas, you will want to protect it from your opponent’s subsequent attacks. The method of doing this is called blocking or screening a Weight, a familiar tactic in football and basketball play. Simply place your succeeding Weight behind your leading Weight in such a position that your opponent will not be able to touch your leading Weight in his/her attack. Never place a blocking Weight too close to the scoring Weight, because a good attacker will then be able to remove both of from the board.

Develop Use Of Both Hands

Shuffleboard is a game that requires ability with either hand. Beginners will find making shots with one hand just as simple as with the other, after a bit of practice. One should learn to favor neither hand, but rather to try to shoot an equal number of shoots with either hand. Doing so will greatly improve his/her ability to play.

The Use Of “Side-Wheeling” On Longboard Models

While it may seem easier to shoot your Weight from the center of the board (free-hand), most players eventually learn the more accurate “side-wheeling” method of delivering a Weight on the Longboard models. To shoot in this manner, the player allows the third and fourth fingers of his/her shooting hand to slide along the side edge of the playing surface, so as to act as a guide and balance. His/Her Weight is more easily controlled, and he/she is assured a much greater degree of accuracy in placing it.

The Use Of “Top-Of-Board” Shooting On Cushion Models

Because angle-shooting is an important part of the Cushion Board game, a cushion player must learn to shoot from the center area of the board (Top-of-Board style), from any angle and with either hand. Thus he/she does not make use of the side edge of the playing top. Rather, he/she must rely more acutely on his/her own sense of direction and judgment in placing Weights.

The Use of “English” (Twist) On Longboard Models

The use of English or twist on a Weight being delivered on a Longboard can greatly aid accuracy. Putting English on a shot is accomplished by twisting the thumb and forefinger away from the wrist and in toward the body, as the Weight is being delivered. Properly applied, it may greatly improves that Weight’s chance of remaining on the board, after it makes contact with an opponent’s Weight. The English acts like a brake, holding it in place. It also enables players to hide delivered Weights behind Weights already on the board, thus gaining the advantage of having a just-delivered Weight well blocked without further play. English can be of great value when making draw shots as well. Never use English on Cushion (aka Bumper or Bank) model shots because it can deflect Weights erratically when they strike the side cushions.

SOUND WINNING STRATEGIES

Shooting First Weight – A Player who shoots first Weight should try to place it as far down the board as possible, along either rail. If his/her opponent fails to knock off that Weight, the first player should then try to place his/her next Weight in the opposite corner (similar to split in bowling). This gives him/her two Weights in good scoring position, yet far enough apart so that his/her opponent can attack only one of them in his/her next shot. Following this, the first player should then block his best scoring or remaining Weight. Shooting First Weight Against A Good Draw Player – A player who shoots first Weight against an expert draw player (one who can place Weights far down the board), should follow these basic tactics in order to prevent the draw player from getting high scores:

The first player should shoot his/her first Weight so that it lands in the Deuce zone. The expert draw player will have to knock off this Weight, rather than out-draw it.
In turn, the first player knocks off his opponent’s Weight and tries to stay on the board with his attacking Weight. Each time, the remaining Weight will lie slightly behind the previous Weight’s position. This strategy will result in only one Weight remaining on the board (it will be the expert’s Weight), but it will lie only in the One zone, thereby preventing a high round score.
Assuming there are no Weights left on the board after each player has delivered three Weights, the player shooting first should then attempt to place his/her final Weight as close to the Trey line as possible, straddling the same, if he/she is able. Such a placed Weight makes even the expert’s final draw shot an extremely hazardous one. Actually, the draw player will the have but one logical play: to knock off that Weight in hope to remain on the board with his/her own.

Shooting Last Weight – A player who shoots last Weight (it is known as the hammer) has the advantage in that round. How he/she uses this advantage depends on his/her skill. If he/she is a good draw player, he/she can count on last Weight to out-draw any Weight his/her opponent may have on the board.

However, the safest strategy for the novice is to play a Weight-for-Weight game when he/she has the hammer. That is, he/she should attempt to knock off anything his/her opponent has placed well down on the board, and at the same time try to keep his/her own attacking Weight on the board (in most cases, unless you do not want to stick a weight, for instance, that your opponent may hide a weight with a go-around shot that you may not be able to hit or hit and stick with your hammer weight).