Why Families Love Their Air Hockey Table

Air hockey is a classic game that is played in millions of basements around the globe to such an extent that an air hockey table is actually a staple in many homes. Air hockey has, in fact, been all the rage since it was first introduced back in the 1970s by the Brunswick Billiard Company. Back in its early days, air hockey could only be found in arcades (and bars) throughout the U.S., and tournaments were staged across the country where folks could flex their muscles and show off their skills. It wasn't long before the game really took off and a huge demand was generated for home versions of the air hockey table, and the world’s love affair with this fun and exciting game had begun.

How to Play Air Hockey

Air hockey is an easy game to learn. At the beginning of a game, players typically toss a coin to determine who will have the air hockey puck first. The beginning player will hit the puck from their side of the table to their opponent’s side within a period of seven seconds or face a time penalty that requires them to return the puck to their opponent. The opponent then has seven seconds to return the puck to the first player or face the same penalty. Players must protect their goals by continually hitting their puck back toward their opponent’s goal. If a player hits an air hockey puck and it leaves the table, they must give the puck to their opponent. Making a goal is worth one point; the winner of the air hockey game is the first player to reach seven points.

Tips for Air Hockey Game Play

These tips will help you hone your air hockey playing skills:

• The mallet should be kept around eight inches in front of the goal for the best defensive position.
• Move your mallet to the corner of the goal that is nearest to the side where the puck will deflect.
• Touching the top of the air hockey puck with a mallet will garner you a penalty that will force you to give the puck to your opponent.
• Touching the puck with your clothing or your body while the puck is in play on the table will also cause you to forfeit the puck to your opponent.
• If you stop a puck that is headed toward the goal using any item other than the mallet, air hockey rules state that you must give your opponent a free shot.
• If you inadvertently knock the puck into the goal that you are guarding, your opponent still scores a point.

Purchasing an Air Hockey Table

Sound like fun? Air hockey can be tons of fun and provide kids with an alternative to video games and television – which encourages them to be active and fit. Air hockey tables are not that expensive, and you can find air hockey tables for sale at most sporting goods stores and some big box retailers. One of the most popular brands of air hockey tables is the Harvard air hockey table, beloved for its quality construction and its affordability. When investing in an air hockey table, be sure to always measure the area where you will set the table up in order to ensure a proper fit, and be certain to buy the highest quality table that you can afford. Many online retailers often offer deep discounts on these family-fun favorites, so don’t forget to look online for great deals before you begin your search. There are also many online retailers who also operate brick-and-mortar businesses that allow you to purchase your air hockey table online and have it shipped for free to a location near you.

And as a farewell warning, air hockey can be addictive, so be prepared for endless evenings and weekends of non-stop game play!