Air hockeytwo paddles, one puck

Goal of the game

Send the puck into the opposing goal more often than the other player.

The table is played by two on the same screen: each player controls their paddle in their own half, and the puck bounces off the sides until it goes in somewhere.

The table

• A vertical table, two goals, two paddles.
• Each player stays in their own half: you cannot go and fetch the puck on your opponent’s side.
• The puck bounces off the sides without losing much; it barely slows down.
• You play two on the same device, or alone against the computer.

Shooting

• The puck leaves in the direction opposite to the point of impact: hitting the puck on its side sends it diagonally.
• The paddle’s speed at the moment of contact adds to the puck’s. A still paddle cushions; a moving paddle drives.
• The bank shot — aiming at the side rail so the puck reaches the goal from the side — is the most effective: it wrong-foots your opponent.
• A straight, fast shot is easy to read. A one-bounce shot is much less so.

Defending

• Do not keep your paddle glued to the goal. You then only cover one paddle’s width, and every angle gets through.
• Stand slightly forward, in the centre of your half: you cut off the angles before they open. That is the triangle position.
• Always come back to the centre after a shot. Time spent off-centre is time spent conceding.
• Against an opponent who hits hard, step back a touch: you gain the tenth of a second that lets you react to the rebound.

The mistakes that cost the most

• Chasing the puck. The paddle should anticipate the path, not follow it.
• Hitting as hard as you can every time. A puck that is too fast comes back too fast: you end up scoring against yourself.
• Staying glued to the goal. Defence is done moving forward, not backward.
• Forgetting the rails. They are your best attacking tool: a well-placed rebound beats a power shot.

Controls

Keyboard and mouse

• Mouse or trackpad: the paddle follows the cursor within your half.
• With two players on one keyboard, each has their own direction keys.
• The score resets with each new game.

Touch screen

• One finger per player, each on their own side of the screen.
• The paddle follows your finger as long as it stays in its half.
• In solo mode, the computer takes the top half.

Frequently asked questions

Can two people play on the same device?

Yes, it is the main mode: each player controls their paddle on their side of the screen. A solo mode against the computer is also available.

Can you cross the centre line?

No. Each paddle stays in its half of the table, just like on a real air hockey table.

How do you send the puck diagonally?

By hitting it on the side rather than head on. The more off-centre the contact, the wider the exit angle.

Where should you stand to defend?

Slightly in front of the goal, in the centre of your half. Keeping the paddle on the goal line lets every angle through.

Should you hit as hard as possible?

No. A very fast puck comes back very fast, and a poorly controlled rebound turns against you. Angle beats power.

More classics, free as well

• Backgammon — twenty-four points, two dice, the oldest race in the world
• Battleship — two grids, five ships, hit and sunk
• Belote — trumps, contracts, belote and rebelote