How to play Puck Duel
- Each player has a mallet and guards the goal at their end of the table. Player 1 is at the bottom, Player 2 at the top.
- Drag your finger in your own half to move your mallet — it can't cross the centre line. On a computer, the mouse moves the bottom mallet and the arrow keys or WASD move the top one.
- Hit the puck into your opponent's goal slot to score. It bounces off the side walls, so angled shots work too.
- After a goal, the puck is served to the player who let it in.
- The first player to score 7 goals wins the match.
Strategy tips
- Stay between the puck and your goal. A mallet parked in front of the goal blocks most straight shots.
- Hit the puck while your mallet is moving: a fast swing makes a fast shot, a still mallet just bumps it back.
- Bank it! Aim at a side wall so the puck bounces into the goal from an angle the defender doesn't expect.
- Don't chase every puck into the corners — after you shoot, slide straight back to defend.
- Rookie Robo stands far out and leaves its goal open. Grandmaster Owl guards its goal well, so beat it with bank shots and quick rebounds.
Three ways to play
Solo: target practice — a fresh challenge every day, the same for everyone. vs Computer: four characters from Rookie Robo (easy) to Grandmaster Owl (expert); beat each one to earn its star. vs Friend: share one screen — perfect on a tablet.
Variants
vs Friend: two players, one screen, a half each — perfect for a tablet lying flat between you. vs Computer: four characters, from slow Rookie Robo to lightning-fast Grandmaster Owl. Solo: a daily 60-second target practice with the same targets for everyone, so you can compare scores.
About Puck Duel
Air hockey was invented by a small team of Brunswick Billiards employees, who started working on it in the late 1960s and brought it to market in the early 1970s. Their trick was to float the puck on a thin cushion of air blown through hundreds of tiny holes in the table, so it glides almost without friction. The game quickly became an arcade and game-room favourite, and players have been holding tournaments since the 1970s. Puck Duel keeps the classic rules — two mallets, one puck, a goal at each end — and squeezes the table onto a phone or tablet.
FAQ
Can two people play air hockey on one phone or tablet?
Yes. Choose vs Friend and each player drags in their own half of the table. Multi-touch means both thumbs work at the same time. A tablet lying flat on a table works best.
How do I play with a mouse or keyboard?
The mouse moves the bottom mallet without clicking. In a two-player game, the top player uses the arrow keys or W, A, S and D. Against the computer, you can use the mouse or the arrow keys.
How many goals do you need to win?
First to 7 goals wins. The bars above and below the table show the score.
Who invented air hockey?
A team of Brunswick Billiards employees developed it, starting in the late 1960s, and the first tables appeared in the early 1970s.
Is Puck Duel free and safe for kids?
Yes: free, no chat, no sign-up. It pauses itself if you switch apps.