Air Hockey

Air Hockey puts a full arcade table in your browser. Slide your paddle, smash the puck off the rails and get it into the slot at the far end before your opponent does. You can play Air Hockey online free against the computer at three levels, or face a friend on the same phone, tablet or computer, with no download and no account.

How to play

You have the red paddle and your goal is the slot behind it. Your opponent has the blue paddle and defends the other end. On a phone the table stands upright with you at the bottom. On a wider screen it turns sideways, and you play from the left.

• Move your paddle: it follows your mouse pointer or your finger. You can also steer it with WASD (or the arrow keys when you play the computer). The paddle can go anywhere in your own half but never past the center line.
• Hit the puck: a still paddle just blocks, and the puck bounces off it a little slower than it came in. A moving paddle passes its speed on, so a quick swipe through the puck sends it flying. Hitting it off-center sends it off at an angle.
• Use the rails: the puck bounces off the side walls and the end walls beside each goal, losing a little speed each time. It also glides to a slow stop if nobody touches it, and it has a top speed, however hard you hit it.
• Score: get the puck fully across the goal line inside the slot. After every goal there is a short pause, then the puck is placed back on the center spot, ready for either player to take.
• Win the match: the first player to the target score wins. Pick 5, 7 or 10 goals on the start screen.

Game modes

Vs computer has three levels. The Easy computer reacts slowly, guesses wrong more often and stands well out from its goal, which leaves the corners open. Medium is quicker and stays closer to home. Hard reads your shots fast, defends tight to its goal, hits harder and likes to bank its own shots off the side walls. Your wins and losses against each level are saved in your browser and shown on the start screen.

2 players is for two people sharing one device. On a phone or tablet, each player puts a finger on their own half of the table, and both paddles move at the same time. On a computer, Player 1 uses the mouse or WASD and Player 2 uses the arrow keys.

Tips

• Swing through the puck. Shots come from paddle speed. Start your move a little behind the puck and keep going through it rather than stopping on contact.
• Bank it. A straight shot at the goal often hits the defending paddle. Aim at a side wall so the puck comes off the rail at an angle the goalie has to chase.
• Shoot when they come out. The computer moves forward to attack a puck in its half. Right after it shoots, it is out of position for a moment, so a quick return can find an empty goal.
• Guard your slot. When the puck is coming at you, get between it and your goal first, then think about hitting back. Sitting just in front of your goal covers more of it than chasing the puck around.
• Mouse and touch beat the keyboard. The keyboard moves the paddle at a steady pace, while the mouse or a finger can swipe much faster and hit harder.

FAQ

Is Air Hockey free?

Yes. It is free to play in your browser with nothing to install and no sign-up. Pick a mode and press Start.

Can two people play on one phone?

Yes. Choose 2 Players, then each player drags their own paddle on their half of the screen. The game tracks both fingers at once, and touching the table won’t scroll the page.

Which computer level should I start with?

Start on Easy to get a feel for the puck, then move up. Medium punishes slow defending, and Hard takes accurate bank shots and fast swipes to beat.

Can I pause or mute the game?

Press P or Esc, or use the Pause button. The game also pauses if you switch tabs. The Sound button or the M key turns the sound effects on or off, and your choice is remembered.

Like fast reflex games with a paddle? Try Pong, the classic that started it all, or grab a friend for the 2 Player Dino Game. For more matches on one screen, see the best 2 player browser games.