The origins of Air Hockey are uncertain but it is believed to have been created in the late 1960’s where it became an immediate success in the USA.  By 1975, the “United States Air-Table Hockey Association” (USAA) was formed and presently remains the only recognized worldwide player organization for Air Hockey.  “World Championships” have taken place since 1978 although the winners have been overwhelmingly of American nationality.  The excitement of the game is gradually winning over European citizens and it is becoming increasingly popular as both a pub game and home game, across Europe.

Air Hockey can be played at home using small, table-top games or real aficionados’ and pubs or clubs, can purchase a full size, 8 foot long Air Hockey Table as required for tournament play or, smaller versions starting from 4 foot in length.  Real Air Hockey Tables will utilise some sort of mechanism to produce a cushion of air on the table top surface, which has the effect of increasing the puck speed.  Cheaper Air Hockey Tables may be made using a super slick plastic surface to increase the speed, although it technically is not then, an Air Hockey table!

Other than the table, the only other equipment required to play the game are pucks and mallets. Air Hockey “Pucks” are just slim plastic discs, usually made from polycarbonate.  The mallet, also called a paddle, is a small plastic handle attached to a flat surface that should lie flush to the table surface.  The most common mallets you see played with look like small plastic hats or little sombreros.