How to play Air Hockey
- Orange defends the goal at the bottom of the table (on the left on a wide screen). Purple defends the top (or right).
- Move your mallet around your own half. You can't cross the middle line.
- Hit the puck with your mallet. The faster your mallet moves when it hits, the harder the shot.
- The puck bounces off the sides, so you can bank shots off the walls.
- Get the puck into your rival's goal to score. After a goal, the puck is placed in the half of the player who let it in.
- The first player to 7 goals wins the round.
Controls
| Device | Orange | Purple |
|---|---|---|
| Phone or tablet | Drag a finger in the bottom half | Drag a finger in the top half |
| Mouse (vs computer) | Move the mouse: your mallet follows it | — |
| Keyboard | W A S D | Arrow keys |
Against the computer you can use either set of keys. On a wide screen the table turns sideways, and the keys still move your mallet the way they point on screen.
Computer levels
The computer plays like a person: it looks at the puck, takes a moment to react, and its mallet has a top speed. Higher levels react faster, guess the puck's path better and move more quickly.
| Level | How the computer plays |
|---|---|
| Easy | Slow mallet and slow reactions. It lets plenty of shots through. |
| Medium | Defends straight shots well, but reacts a little late to fast rebounds. |
| Hard | Quick and accurate. It attacks loose pucks and defends most shots. |
| Expert | Reacts in under a tenth of a second and hits hard. You'll need angles and speed. |
Tips to win
- Guard your goal first. Keep your mallet between the puck and your goal, and only move forward to attack a slow puck.
- Use the walls. A shot that bounces off the side is much harder to block than a straight one.
- Hit through the puck. Moving your mallet through the puck, not just touching it, gives a far stronger shot.
- Don't chase. Rushing after the puck leaves your goal open. Small, quick movements win more points.
- Aim for the corners of the goal. Shots near the edges of the goal mouth are the hardest to stop.
About Air Hockey
Air hockey tables first appeared in the early 1970s. A cushion of air from tiny holes in the table lets the puck glide with almost no friction, which makes the game fast and full of rebounds. It became a favourite in arcades and game rooms. Our version brings the same quick back-and-forth to one shared screen, with no table needed.
Questions
Can two people play Air Hockey on one phone?
Yes. Choose 2 Players and hold the phone between you. Each player drags a finger in their own half, and both can move at the same time.
How long is a match?
A match ends when one player reaches 7 goals. Between evenly matched players that takes a few minutes; against the easier computer levels it is often quicker.
Does the computer cheat?
No. It only sees the puck you can see, reacts after a short delay and has a limited top speed, like a person. Higher levels are simply quicker.
Is Air Hockey free?
Yes. It's free in your browser, with no download, no sign-up and no ads during a match.
Updated 2 November 2026