Tornado Foosball or Foosball

[Jeff Dieken]

I just talked to a guy in a bar who said there are 2 types of Foosball,
Tornado, and Regular Tournament Soccer. He explained that the old style is
what all the tourneys are and Tornado is a whole different thing. Being
rather new to the real foos world I just agreed and went on my way. What do
you all say? I believe Foosball is foosball. Tornado is just a great table
that incorporates 2 more goalies...right...?

Whats the difference between Cyclone and TP2000?

Jeff

[Boris]

There are at least 7 different types of foosball (figures refer to
numbers of men on rods from goalie to forward). Tables differ in player
formations, in types of playing surface (glass/laminate/linoleum), type
of ball (plastic/urethane/cork), type of men (plastic/wooden/metal) and
shape of feet (paddle/wedge/box/2 feet), with/without tread. There are
numerous styles of play, and variations on the rules from country to
country.

I am sure that the list below is by no means complete, but these are the
different types and styles I know or have heard/read about.

French - Bonzini/Rene-Pierre (1-2-5-3)
US - Tornado (3-2-5-3)
European - Garlando (or Roberto/FABI/FAS/Longoni etc) (1-2-5-3)
Italian - Garlando (etc) (1-2-5-3) - special 'one touch' rules
European - Soccer 2000/Jupiter (1-2-5-3)
German/US - Lowen/Tournament Soccer (1-2-5-3)
Spanish - Futbolin (1-3-3-4) - 2 feet, sloped/curved playfield
Argentinian - Metegol (1-3-4-3)

BTW - why is no-one discussing the recent world initiative from
Argentina?

Boris

[Bruce Nardoci]

With respect to Boris's interesting description of the designs of
different types of tables, be aware that these design differences also
result in differences in playing characteristics beyond just the obvious
implications of having differing numbers of men on the bars, etc. For an
explanation of how some of these differences can affect play, go to the
http://www.bonziniusa.com web site and click on the "French vs German"
link on the home page.

[Moonglum]

1. The Short answer is ignore this guy in bar on foosball...currently
every thing he said was wrong.

2. Tornado has the more tounaments than all the other tables combined.

3. Foosball at this point in time is a genaric term for ANY table.

4. You can use the manufacter to ID the tables beyond there.

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.

[Rocky Willson]

Jeff Dieken wrote:

> I just talked to a guy in a bar who said there are 2 types of Foosball,
> Tornado, and Regular Tournament Soccer.

Tornado and Tournament Soccer are both brand names of Table Soccer Tables.
Foosball is also, or was at one time. It has been so long since the Foosball
people have built tables or defended their registered tradename, that it has
become common practice for players & local promoters to call any brand of table
soccer table "foosball". You will hardly ever see a manufacturer put the word
foosball on his product, however, because there is still the possibility that
the Foosball people could bust the other company's ass in court and cause a very
expensive recall of all the products sold using their trade name.

> He explained that the old style is
> what all the tourneys are and Tornado is a whole different thing.

The old style is what all the tourneys WERE--from 1973 until 1981 when
Tournament Soccer went bankrupt after running a $400,000 tournament and writing
a lot of bad checks for the winners. It was national news at the time.

Dynamo took over from 1981 until about 1984 when they stopped promoting the
tour. Kathy Brainard could give more details about that.

Since 1984, for the most part, the Tournament Scene in the U.S. has been all
Tornado.

So, it sounds like your buddy just woke up after a 20 year sleep or something.
Is his name Rumplestiltskin?

> Being
> rather new to the real foos world I just agreed and went on my way. What do
> you all say? I believe Foosball is foosball. Tornado is just a great table
> that incorporates 2 more goalies...right...?
>
> Whats the difference between Cyclone and TP2000?

The name. The TP-2000 was changed to the Clyclone shortly after Valley bought
Tornado--about 3 years ago now, I think. The Cyclone was later phased out and
replaced with the Cyclone II which incorporated rounded corners and a different
manufacturing process. The old Cyclones and TP-2000's were made from Coin-Op
cabinets before they were cut and were therefore identical to the Coin-Ops
except for weight, the vending mechanism and the cabinet bottom and the hinging
of the table..

The new Cyclone II's use a different manufacturing process and are built
differently than the Coin-Ops. Still, they seem to play identical to the old
Cyclones and TP-2000's.

..................................Rocky Willson

>
>
> Jeff