Air hockey is a game played by two people with the object of scoring the most points at the end of play. Some people play to a set score, as in regulation play, usually the first player to seven, while others at home may play to a set time limit. Still others will play quarterly periods of 15 minutes each. Three things make air hockey unique from other tabletop games.
- Genuine air hockey tables have small holes throughout the playing surface that support the puck on a cushion of air that is forced out through the holes.
- Other air hockey tables have no air at all but play on a very slick surface
- In either variation, the game moves very fast as opposed to other tabletop games
A regulation air hockey table is eight feet long. There are companies that manufacture smaller tables for confined spaces but currently, the only tables approved for tournament play are the eight-foot tables manufactured by Dynamo. Air hockey mallets, also called paddles, have a grip (knob) attached to a round disc. The pucks are predominantly round discs but also come in hexagonal, triangular, and even square.
A regular air hockey table is rectangular and consists of a playing field with air holes or a slick surface, bumpers to keep the puck in play, a slot on either end for making goals, and a return chute. The idea is to hit the puck with your mallet while it is on your side of the centre line so that it crosses the table and enters the far goal slot while defending the goal on your end. In tournament play, the first player to achieve a goal seven times wins.
The most exciting part about playing air hockey is the speed with which the game is played. A great player has lightning fast reflexes and knows how to fake the opponent out by feigning a shot one way and making it another and uses bank shots or double banks, called crossovers to score. The game is particularly exciting when tournament level skill is achieved. Exceptionally good players are easily spotted by the style of defense that they play. Most amateur players stay close to their goal while experienced ones will play a foot or more away from their goal.
For fast exciting play at home, air hockey tables and accessories are a very affordable investment. The game can be played by anyone old enough to comprehend the simple rules, usually ages three through adult. Very few tabletop games afford this much fun for the entire family.
