About Pong
Pong (1972) is the game that launched the video game industry, and it still holds up: two paddles, one accelerating ball, first to seven. Our CPU tracks with a human-like lag you can learn to exploit.
How to Play Pong
- 1Move your left paddle with the mouse, touch, or ▲ ▼ keys.
- 2Return the ball past the CPU's right paddle to score.
- 3The ball speeds up with every paddle hit; first to 7 points wins.
Tips & Strategy
- ◆Strike with the paddle's edge to add steep angle — centre returns are easy for the CPU.
- ◆Change your return angle each rally; the CPU's lag punishes variety poorly.
- ◆On defence, centre yourself after every return instead of chasing the ball's current line.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the ball speed work?
Every paddle contact adds speed, so long rallies inevitably end in a blur — force errors early with angles rather than out-lasting the CPU.
Can the CPU be aced?
Yes — its tracking speed is capped, so a sharply angled return off your paddle edge can beat it cleanly.
Why is Pong historically important?
Atari's Pong was the first commercially successful video game — the arcade industry, and arguably this entire website, descends from it.