The football table - also known as a foosball table or table soccer - is one of the steadiest performers in our games-room lineup. It doesn't need much explaining. Put one out at a freshers fair or a corporate Christmas party and within a few minutes there's a queue behind it.

What we hire is a commercial-grade table in a light blue finish: 4.7ft long by 2.5ft wide, chrome steel rods, red and blue moulded player figures, and built-in scoring bead rails on each side. The playing surface is a hard green-lined pitch - the ball moves well and doesn't get lodged anywhere awkward. It's solid construction and holds up well under a full day of heavy use.

Each side controls multiple rows of players across the pitch - keeper, defenders, midfielders and forwards. Standard play is one player per side, though two a side works if you've got the space and the inclination. Games run around two to five minutes, so there's a decent flow of players even when a few people are waiting.

It's suitable from age 5 upwards, though in our experience it gets more competitive the older the players get. It doesn't need power - just a flat indoor surface and 6ft x 6ft of clear floor. We deliver, set up and collect at the end of the hire period. If you need more than one table - for a tournament or a larger event - it's worth mentioning when you enquire, as we can usually accommodate it.