Button Soccer

About this board game

Button Soccer is a two-player tabletop soccer game played in about 50 minutes, where round playing pieces are moved across a large, smooth table by pressing their edges.

Also considered a sport, this traditional Hungarian and Brazilian game has a long history, with a listed release year of 1911. In the past, large buttons were used as the players, giving the game its distinctive name and physical character.

Button Soccer is played under five major sets of rules. Three come from Brazil, while Hungary contributes two more: a simple version used by casual players and a highly detailed official version.

• Brazil: Bahia, Rio, and São Paulo rule sets
• Hungary: a casual-player version and a detailed official version

Across these variations, the core idea remains consistent: each player, or coach, uses a pick, finger, or comb to press the edge of a round piece and move it on the playing surface. The method creates a direct, hands-on representation of soccer movement without requiring conventional cards or dice.

The number of turns a coach receives at a time depends on the chosen rules. This makes the rule set an important part of the experience, whether players prefer the straightforward casual Hungarian version or one of the more detailed regional traditions. With its smooth-table setting, tactile movement, and connection to Brazilian and Hungarian soccer culture, Button Soccer offers a distinctive tabletop interpretation of the sport.