Nok, Nok! Who's There? A Classic Tabletop Hockey Game with a Turn-Based Twist

Capture the fun of air hockey with an optional turn-based twist in Nok Hockey — a wooden tabletop hockey game by Carrom.

Tracing back to the 1940s, this classic game comes in two sizes: standard (2 players, $139.99) and large (4 players, $189.99). It is recommended for ages 6 and up and plays in 10-15 minutes. Read on to find out if it packs enough fun to be worth the price tag!

Gameplay

The object of the game is very simple: knock the puck into your opponent's goal. To win the game, be the first player/team to score 5 points. You can also choose your own target score for a shorter or longer game.

Each player takes a hockey stick, then the puck is dropped into the center of the board for a faceoff (a free-for-all to hit the puck). Each side of the board includes a defense zone — when the puck enters this zone, the opposing player/team is not allowed to hit it.

Goals can be scored by hitting the puck through the slot on the opponent's side of the board. The puck does not have to slide all the way through; if even a portion of the puck passes through the slot, it counts as a point.

Scoring goals is much more challenging than it seems, however. In front of each goal is a diamond-shaped goalie block that prevents direct shots from all but a few angles. This means that extra skill is required to bank your shot off of the walls, corners, or goalie block to try to score. If the puck ever flies off of the board, the opposing player/team places the puck in their defense zone, and play resumes.

A few variants are included with the game, which include the optional use of thumbs to launch the puck, turn-based play where players always alternate shots (even if the puck is in the opponent's defense zone), and playing with both pucks simultaneously. These optional additions change up the gameplay to keep things fresh.

Standard-sized Nok Hockey set (images provided by the manufacturer)

Review

While Nok Hockey originated many decades ago, this version by Carrom was our first encounter with the game. We went into it with a fresh perspective and no amount of nostalgia, other than playing similar games like air hockey. I am already a fan of dexterity games, however, so this seemed like an interesting product to try.

Fortunately, I was not disappointed. This product offers exactly the play experience you would expect from a competitive hockey-style game. The real-time play quickly grew quite intense, proving much more challenging than expected. The defensive goalie block is a significant obstacle that requires skilled bank shots. This game engages your brain with quick planning and trying to read your opponent, rather than just a back-and-forth hit-fest.

If fast-paced, heart-racing play isn't your thing, we also found the turn-based play to be a very fun variant. It allows you to slow down, plan your shot, and experience the thrill of a well-placed puck without the stress and sweat. This slowed-down version felt more like a game of pool or carrom. What's interesting about this version is that at times you might bank a shot too hard and land the puck back in your defense zone — but the puck is played where it lies every turn, so your opponent could score an easy point! Careful planning of angles and power is needed to win.

There are a few downsides to consider, as well. First, the puck will get knocked off of the board often. It's not difficult to reset in the opponent's defense area, but you will want to make sure your surroundings are clear of fragile items (or people!) that could be impacted by a flying, wooden disk. Second, there is no built-in score tracker, so you will need to memorize your score or find another way to keep track. Finally, we found that the board didn't stay in place perfectly well and tended to slide around the table. We found ourselves wishing that the game came with rubber feet underneath to keep it firmly in place. This is easily remedied by applying some adhesive cabinet door bumpers to the bottom of the frame, but it's not ideal to have to DIY a game of this price.

When I first opened the box, it was clear that this is a quality product with well-sanded wood and very nice components that should last a long time. However, I was a little surprised that the playing surface was not painted, except for the puck circles, zone lines, goal areas, and game title. I wondered if the non-coated surface would affect the puck speed and movement. However, in practice, this didn't seem to be an issue. I found that a single hit could easily bank the puck off of the opponent's wall and back to mine. Looking at old photos of classic Nok Hockey boards with worn paint, or different brands with bubbles in the paint, I realized that reducing the amount of paint may be a better choice for game longevity, keeping it looking nice for longer.

For this review, we received a standard-sized version of the game. Even though this is the smaller of the two options, it is still rather large (23.8 x 35 inches). With a diagonal length of over 42 inches, this game fills the main play area of our 4-foot round game table. The larger version with nearly a 5-foot diagonal length would be ideal for a dining table or similar surface. Be sure to measure the intended play area before purchasing.

Despite a few nitpicks, Nok Hockey is a great game that we are eager to play again. If you're looking for a quick and fun dexterity game that can be taught almost instantly, and you have a good play area for it, Nok Hockey is a great choice. It will keep nearly all ages entertained with some healthy competition and includes a few variants for people who enjoy different play styles. Pick a size that works for you and give it a try!