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Pong: the complete wiki

Pong is the table tennis of the first arcade machines: two paddles, one ball and nothing else. On Vexply it’s free in your browser against the computer or for two players on the same device, with a ball that speeds up with every hit.

Play Pong

How to play

Controls

Player 1
W and S (or arrows vs the AI)
Player 2
Up and down arrows
Pause
P or space bar
Phone
Drag your finger; with two players, one finger per half

Modes and options

Vs AI
Easy, Medium or Hard.
2 players
On the same keyboard or screen.
Points
Games to 5, 7 or 11 points.

Rules

  • Move your paddle to send the ball back to the other side.
  • If the ball gets past your paddle, your opponent scores.
  • The first to 5, 7 or 11 points wins, as chosen.
  • The ball gets 5% faster with each hit, and its angle depends on where it meets the paddle.

Strategy

Since the angle depends on the point of impact, a center hit is the safest and a tip hit the most dangerous for your opponent. A good tactic is to mix them: a few safe hits to stretch the rally (so the ball speeds up), then, when your opponent is away from the middle, a tip shot to the other side.

Tips

  • Hit with the tip of the paddle for sharp angles the AI reaches too late.
  • After each return, go back to the middle: from there you can reach everything.
  • When a rally gets long and the ball is very fast, read the bounce off the wall instead of chasing the ball.

Common mistakes

  • Staying where you hit the ball. After each return, go back to the centre: from there you can reach everything.
  • Tracking the ball with your eyes when it’s very fast. Anticipate the bounce off the wall and move to where it will arrive.
  • Always hitting with the tip: the angle is dangerous for your opponent, but it’s also the shot you miss most.

Mechanics

The tags that describe Pong. Those with a page lead to similar games.

Glossary

Best of 3 / best of 5
A series between two players that ends when one wins the majority: two wins out of three or three out of five. On Vexply you play it from Party, with one game or several.

See the full glossary

FAQ

Can two people play Pong on a phone?
Yes: each player uses one finger on their half of the screen.
Why does the ball keep getting faster?
It speeds up 5% on every hit, so long rallies get harder and harder.
Play Pong Vexply Wiki