Photo credit: Glen Bowman
Table hockey – also known as rod hockey – has a long history dating back to 1932 when it was invented in Toronto, Canada during the Great Depression. Since then, other table-based hockey games including air hockey and dome (bubble) hockey were created and took fun hockey to another level with automated play and bigger playing surfaces.
These days three main types of table hockey games exist: rod hockey, air hockey and dome hockey. Rod hockey is a home-based game with the smallest playing surface of the three, where the game is small enough to sit on a table. Dome or bubble hockey is the next largest table, runs on electricity offering automated features and whose table is covered by a clear plastic dome to prevent the puck from escaping. Air hockey is the largest of the three games and is also powered by electricity and is the only game that doesn’t use a puck but rather a thin light plastic disc which effectively floats on the playing surface due to forced air which flows through small holes on the table from a powerful blower underneath the table.
Each of the three games requires two players and each features accurate hockey game play whereby each player controls 3 forwards (1 center, 1 left winger, 1 right winger), 2 defense (1 left defense, 1 right defense) and 1 goalie. So game play mimics a real hockey game in terms of the number of players on the table.
Rod Hockey
Rod hockey is the original hockey game invented by Torontonian Donald Munro Sr. in 1932 during the Great Depression. Rod hockey is a small table game typically measuring about 33″ x 20″ x 3″ (98 cm x 50 cm x 8 cm) and weighing around 10 lbs (4.5 kg).
You are able to move your plastic hockey players up and down the playing surface relative to their position (forwards play up front, defense plays near the goalie, goalie stays in the crease) and are controlled by small metal rods with plastic knobs at the end. Knobs are pulled back and forth to move the players back and forth on the playing surface and the knobs are rotated in a circle to shoot, pass and attempt to check opponents. Players are able to move up and down the playing surface in a designed path through slits in the playing surface (see closeup picture above) and goalies move left to right in the net.
In the 1970s and 1980s, rod hockey tables tended to be very low tech. Some came with a puck dropper where you’d put it on a ramp and it would roll onto the game surface. On more expensive models, the puck might get dropped from an overhead plastic overhang that attached to the game. When you were scored on, you pushed down on a button to eject the puck from your net. Scoring was done manually by each player.
Historically, Munro Games (Canada), Irwin Toys (Canada) and Coleco (USA) were large manufacturers of rod hockey games. Growing up I had a Coleco game branded with both Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens players. NHL branding was common at the time and typically featured the other Original 6 teams too: Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks. Unfortunately Munro Games, Irwin Toys and Coleco are all long since defunct businesses.
Well-known current manufacturers of rod hockey games include STIGA (Sweden), Franklin, Sports, MD Sports, and Prostars 2 Hockey.
Expect to pay $30 – $140 for various rod hockey games depending on the brand, size and model. STIGA tables tend to be the most expensive.
Air Hockey
While you can get a cheap tabletop air hockey table for the kids for about $100 or less, this isn’t really a table you can entertain friends with. Expect to pay for $600 – $1,400 for a good quality standing air hockey table that is 5′ – 7′ in length. 8′ long pro tournament style tables are the most expensive and typically range from $1,800 – $3,400.
Check out my complete page on air hockey to learn more.
Dome Hockey
Dome hockey is also known as bubble hockey due to the clear plastic bubble that is fastened over top of the game. This was the game that became popular in arcades and game rooms due to its solid design and the fact that the dome prevents the puck from flying off the table and getting lost or stolen. It also protected all the parts inside the bubble from getting damaged.
Like the other hockey games, each team has five skaters (3 forwards, 2 defense) and one goalie. The players are operated by pulling a thick solid plastic or metal rod and turning the handle to maneuver, shoot and pass the puck and also to attempt to take the puck away from your opponent. These bubble hockey games are much larger and more solid than the old rod hockey ones we talked about above.
Modern dome hockey games may be branded with team names for the most popular hockey nations that reflect the legendary national rivalries like Canada vs Russia, Canada vs Sweden, Canada vs US, US vs Russia and Sweden vs Finland among others. Dome hockey games have automatic scoreboards and automatic faceoffs typically involving the puck popping out of the bottom of the board at centre ice. Games even add sounds effects of fans cheering and a booing feature which enables you to press a button to boo your opponent for added effect.
ICE is the original manufacturer of dome home dating back to 1982. Their Super Chexx Pro branded bubble hockey games cost $2,900 – $4,500 with dimensions 36″ W x 60″ D x 54″ H weighing 170 lbs. Shelti is another manufacturer who makes the less expensive Breakout Bubble Hockey table that costs about $1,500 with dimensions 22″ W x 32″ D x 29″ H and weighing 250 lbs. A third brand to consider is Carrom whose Super Stick Hockey table costs around $1,000 with dimensions of 58″ W x 47″ D x 45.25 H” and weighs 140 pounds.
Final Thoughts
Although rod hockey, air hockey and bubble hockey all share the word hockey, only rod hockey and bubble hockey actually mimic the game of hockey with the correct number of players on each team ie. 5 skaters and 1 goalie. While rod hockey is a fun game for kids and adults, it’s much smaller and cheaper than either air hockey or bubble hockey and doesn’t take up nearly as much space if cost and room size are an issue.
Air hockey and bubble hockey both require electricity but are more modern automated games. A large 7′ – 8′ air hockey table will mimic ones you may have played in an arcade or bar. It takes up the most room of any of the three games and is a two-player game but isn’t hockey per se. Still, it’s a fun game for young and old and also a great addition to a room.
Bubble hockey is the newest of the three games and probably best mimics an actual hockey game compared to the other two since it has the largest playing surface and is typically more solid and sturdy than any rod hockey table you’ll find. It’s also more expensive and takes up more space.
Summary
- Rod hockey is the smallest hockey game table available for tabletop play. It’s also the cheapest and least solid option and is good for kids and adults at heart.
- An air hockey table tends to take up the most space of the three games since they are normally 5′ – 8′ in length. Higher end 8′ tables are often found in arcades and bars.
- Bubble hockey is the newest of the tables and are arcade-quality and as the bubble helps to protect the game and prevents the puck from being lost or stolen.
- Want to learn more about table hockey rules and the game globally? Check out the International Table Hockey Federation website.