Paddle Ball
Classic paddle game: return the ball past the computer to reach seven points first.
Paddle Ball
Classic paddle game: return the ball past the computer to reach seven points first.
Starts in your browser. Instructions are below.
Controls
- Keyboard and mouse
- Up and Down arrow keys move your paddle. Space pauses. You can also move the paddle with your mouse.
- Touch
- Drag your finger up and down on the court and your paddle follows.
Scoring and how to win
- You play the left paddle against the computer. Each time the ball gets past a paddle, the other side scores 1 point.
- The first side to 7 points wins the match.
- The ball speeds up by 3 percent every time it hits a paddle, so long rallies get fast. Difficulty sets how quickly the computer tracks the ball.
How to play Paddle Ball
- 01Pick a difficulty, Easy, Medium, Hard or Expert, above the board.
- 02Move your paddle with the mouse, a finger, or the up and down arrow keys.
- 03First player to seven points wins the match. Press space or the pause button to pause.
About Paddle Ball
Paddle Ball follows the simple format that helped launch the arcade industry, read the trajectory, position early, and commit late. Where the ball hits your paddle changes its angle, hitting it with the edge sends it away sharply and is how you move the computer paddle out of position.
The computer tracks the ball with a deliberate delay, aiming error and reaction threshold that get sharper at higher difficulty settings, so Expert is noticeably harder to beat than Easy. Returning everything from the center of your paddle is safe but predictable, and predictable rallies rarely end in your favor against a tracking opponent.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I control the paddle?
- Mouse, touch drag, or the up and down arrow keys, whichever you prefer.
- How hard is the computer?
- Pick Easy, Medium, Hard or Expert above the board. Higher settings track the ball more closely and make fewer errors.
- How long is a match?
- First to seven points. You can restart at any time.
- Can I pause the game?
- Yes, press space or the pause button above the board.
Related games and tools
Breakout
Bounce the ball off your paddle to smash every brick without letting it past you.
Snake
Guide the snake around the board, eat food to grow, and avoid running into the walls or yourself.
Block Drop
Rotate and stack falling blocks to clear full lines before the stack reaches the top.
Aim Trainer
Click targets as they appear and measure your accuracy and speed over thirty seconds.