fastened to the table. The speed of the game's surface must be kept the same as the usual factory surface speed. Playing figures Figures from the Stiga Play-off versions (all figures have the stick on the same side) of Stiga table hockey games must be used. Matches Matches last five minutes. Time runs even if the puck is out of play. An audio timer should be used for all matches. If any player retires during a match when the opponent insists on continuing, he/she automatically loses all his/her goals scored during the game, while the opponent may add an extra five goals to his/her score. During the play-off matches, in the event of a draw at the end of the five minutes, there is an overtime. The overtime starts with a new face-off. The winner is the one who scores the first goal (sudden death). Face-offs All matches begin with the puck placed at centre spot. Game starts with the opening signal. If any player plays the puck before the signal, face-off is made. Face-offs are made by dropping the puck on the centre spot. Centre forwards and left defenders must stay on their own side of the centre red line during a face-off. Players must be sure that their opponent is ready before releasing the puck. If the face-off is made wrong the opponent is allowed to ask for a new one or he/she may make a new face-off by himself/herself. If a player makes a lot of bad drops in a play-off match, the opponent can ask for a neutral dropper. Three seconds must elapse after each face-off before a valid goal can be scored. This rule is in effect even if a neutral person is making the face-off. The puck must hit the sideboards, or a playing figure other than the center must gain control of the puck before a goal can be counted. Scoring The puck must stay in the goal cage for the goal to count. In and outs do not count. If the puck goes out from the goal cage, the match continues without interruption If any player wants to interrupt the game in order to avoid the goal heading into his cage, he must clearly say a short phrase. The game is interrupted and puck placed in the middle of the board for the next face off. The phrase could only be said