Table Tennis

Table Tennis here is a quick duel on a table seen from above. You hold the paddle at the bottom, the computer holds the one at the top, and a ball flies between you. If the ball gets past a paddle, the other side scores. The first to 7 points wins.

How to play

You move your paddle left and right along the bottom edge.

• On a phone or tablet: slide your finger left and right across the table. The big left and right buttons also work. Tap the table, or press Serve, to serve.
• On a computer: move the mouse, or use the arrow keys or A and D. The space bar serves, and P pauses the game.

You serve the first point, and then the serve changes sides after every point. When it is the computer's turn, it serves by itself after a short wait.

Let the ball touch your paddle and it goes back towards the computer. If it gets past you, the computer scores. The place where the ball meets the paddle sets the angle: the middle sends it forward, and the edges send it off to the side. If your paddle is moving as it hits, the ball gets a curve.

The ball gets a little faster with every hit, up to a top speed that depends on the level. So a long rally becomes more and more tense.

The first player to reach 7 points wins the game. Your wins on each level are counted on your device.

The levels

The level changes the speed of the ball, the size of the paddles, and how well the computer plays.

• Easy: a wide paddle for you, a slow ball, and a slow opponent with a narrow paddle. It is slow to react and often forgets where the ball is going.
• Medium: a normal ball, and an opponent who keeps up with most shots.
• Hard: a quick ball, and an opponent who reacts fast and likes to aim at the corners.
• Expert: a very fast ball, a narrower paddle for you, and a sharp opponent with a wide paddle. The ball speeds up with every hit.

The computer only sees the ball as it was a moment ago, and it moves at a limited speed. These two things are what separate the levels, and the computer's aim gets less wobbly as you go up.

Today's game

There is a Medium game each day, with the same serves for everyone. Leave in the middle, and the match is saved on this device.

Tips

1. Keep your paddle near the middle between shots. From the center you can reach either side in time.
2. Aim for the corner far from the computer's paddle. It has the longest way to travel to reach it.
3. Use the edge of your paddle to make the ball go sideways. A wider angle is harder for the computer to follow.
4. Move as you hit. A paddle that is moving gives the ball a curve, and a curve is harder to predict.
5. Do not chase the ball with your eyes only. Watch where the ball will be when it reaches your side, and move there early.
6. Keep your rally tidy. The ball speeds up with each hit, so a long rally favours the one who stays calm.
7. On Easy, practice placing shots. The computer is slow enough for you to try the angles and see what they do.

Questions

Who serves first? You serve the first point. After that, the serve passes to the other side after every point.

Can I pause? Yes. On a computer, press P.

What does the curve do? If your paddle is moving when it hits the ball, the ball curves a little in that direction.

How do I win? Be the first to score 7 points.