Table Top Air Hockey

Table top air hockey is something I remember fromcould really compete. Can't you just picture it: two
my childhood. My friend had an air hockey table thatthird graders - kid to kid, facing off to determine
made me jealous, until Santa finally came through forwho would have bragging rights until the next day.
me one year and I got my own. Until then I wouldTo the victor went all the glory. Serious stuff, funny
go over to my friend's house to play. I never wantedstuff. This hockey game wasn't a table top air
to stop. The swoosh of the puck, and the thrill I felthockey game, but was really fun to play anyway.
when I scored, made the game fun and exciting.Sort of a variation on a theme. It was made out of
There was just something amazing to me about the2x4 lumber with a plywood bottom. It was a
way the puck would float across the surface withrectangle about four feet long and about two feet
the slightest tap from the mallet. And that sound itwide, maybe a bit more. It had a divider across the
would make against the sides of the table andmiddle with a cutout in it so the puck (also made out
handles is indelibly impressed in my memory. Clickity,of wood) could fit through it onto your opponent's
clack, clack, clack, followed by an explosion of victoryside. At each end of the box there was a cutout
and defeat at both ends of the table.that allowed the puck to escape, thus resulting in a
Since those early years I've seen a variety of stylesone point score. Both players had a three foot stick
of table top air hockey. Some hockey tables do notto use to frantically chase the puck around with. You
have forced air, but then they are usually referred towould start the game by placing the puck up on the
as slide tables. An air hockey table has air that iscenter divider and hit your sticks together to the
blown out onto the surface with a small motorizedcount of three, then go at it until someone scored.
fan. This makes the puck float and move muchNew designs in table top air hockey tables have
quicker. It is a game of reflexes and anticipation. Imany great features like: electronic overhead
remember feeling like the king of the world when Iscoreboards, ultra slick surfaces, colorful game board
could get one past my Dad. He seemed unbeatable. Igraphics, rubber inserts in the rail for a quieter game,
always wondered if he was just letting me win, but Iand a wide variety of fashionable styles to suit your
didn't care.game room decor. They are available in different
Speaking of memories: my third grade teacher had asizes ranging from small 3-5 foot tables, all the way
type of hockey game that the janitor made for uson up to 7-8 foot tables. No matter if it is basic or
to use. We played it on the ground outside at recess.deluxe, table top air hockey is a timeless game that
It was the kind of game that in which two peoplecontinues to challenge and delight kids of all ages.