The air hockey table game can be divided into many categories: bumper hockey, magnetic hockey, air hockey, and knock hockey. Actually the first indoor hockey game was not on a table, but on a top. It was made in 1932 by Donald H Monro, as a Christmas present for his kids. The hockey table top was made of wood and scrap metal and the players were mounted on small spinning spikes and they moved when their steel rods were moved. Later the hockey tables appeared. Stiga is the company that produces the tables for the international hockey table championship.
About air hockey tables
An air hockey table is a table, made of plastic-covered MDF, that imitates a real hockey rink (some tables have a translucent ice surface). Initially there were only two players but now there are air hockey game tables designed to allow four players. The players have to mark points by controlling (through rods placed underneath the playing surface) representations of hockey players which can be moved up or down. Two types of game tables are used for this game: arcade hockey table (the whole playing surface is covered with a plastic dome) and air hockey table (the playing surface is not covered).
An air hockey table is quite expensive, large and can't be easily transported. The tables have a thin, lightweight cylinder and a small motor (with 100 Cubic Feet per Minute Air Output) that, through the holes in the playing surface, pushes air so that the puck glides on the playing surface. Using specially designed pushers, the players hit the pucks. They win when they have more points than their opponent. The sizes of air hockey tables are: 4ft, 5ft, 6 ft, 7ft. Along with the table you need air hockey pucks and air hockey pushers.
Types of air hockey tables
There are many air hockey table models . Some of the most well known are:
Sportcraft air hockey tables – these have electronic scoring, maximum air pressure produced by a powerful electric blower and slick aluminum inner rails that enhance puck speed;
Bulldog air hockey tables - they are one of the most robust air hockey game table, the playing surface has a very high quality; it is powered with air jets;
Mightymast air hockey tables – they are not powered with air;
BCE air hockey tables – are specially created for a low budget buyer;
Carrom hydralumina marble air hockey table – the play surface is over 1" thick and is made of high pressure laminate;
Tornado arctic flash air hockey tables – they have a blower system that reduces noise to a minimum;
ICE air hockey tables - have specially designed side rails with "Stay-In" puck system, Overhead LED scoring and time of play display;
Harvard air hockey tables – have a Deluxe electronic scoring system; their motor is 110V; the table legs are L-shaped, with side and end panels for extra stability; the play bed can be black or glossy white laminate; have a 3" silver laminate top Rail and a 9" Black Apron with chrome accents.
The neon light air hockey tables
Some of the air hockey game tables are equipped with a neon light, especially at the tables where the games are held at night. The tables that usually use neon light are stainless steel. The glow of a neon light air hockey table makes the game more pleasant.
