diff --git a/src/commands/pong.js b/src/commands/pong.js
index ebd61ba..b882623 100644
--- a/src/commands/pong.js
+++ b/src/commands/pong.js
@@ -19,9 +19,22 @@ export class PongGame {
     this.move(side, action);
     if (this.bot && this.random() > 0.25) this.rightY = Math.max(0, Math.min(this.height - 3, this.rightY + Math.sign(this.ballY - (this.rightY + 1))));
     let nextX = this.ballX + this.vx; let nextY = this.ballY + this.vy;
-    if (nextY < 0 || nextY >= this.height) { this.vy *= -1; nextY = this.ballY + this.vy; }
-    if (this.vx < 0 && nextX <= 1 && nextY >= this.leftY && nextY <= this.leftY + 2) { this.vx = 1; nextX = 2; }
-    if (this.vx > 0 && nextX >= this.width - 2 && nextY >= this.rightY && nextY <= this.rightY + 2) { this.vx = -1; nextX = this.width - 3; }
+    if (nextY < 0 || nextY >= this.height) {
+      this.vy *= -1;
+      nextY = Math.max(0, Math.min(this.height - 1, this.ballY + this.vy));
+    }
+    const bounce = (paddleY, direction, x) => {
+      const hit = nextY - (paddleY + 1);
+      if (Math.abs(hit) > 1) return false;
+      // Flat center returns are harder to exploit, so accelerate them slightly.
+      this.vx = direction * (Math.abs(hit) < 0.1 ? 1.25 : 1);
+      // The contact point controls the angle: corners produce the steepest deflection.
+      this.vy = hit * 1.2;
+      nextX = x;
+      return true;
+    };
+    if (this.vx < 0 && nextX <= 1) bounce(this.leftY, 1, 2);
+    if (this.vx > 0 && nextX >= this.width - 2) bounce(this.rightY, -1, this.width - 3);
     this.ballX = nextX; this.ballY = nextY;
     if (this.ballX < 0) { this.rightScore++; this.serve(1); }
     if (this.ballX >= this.width) { this.leftScore++; this.serve(-1); }
@@ -31,7 +44,8 @@ export class PongGame {
   render(side = 'left') {
     const cells = grid(this.width, this.height);
     for (let i = 0; i < 3; i++) { cells[this.leftY + i][1] = '|'; cells[this.rightY + i][this.width - 2] = '|'; }
-    if (this.ballY >= 0 && this.ballY < this.height && this.ballX >= 0 && this.ballX < this.width) cells[this.ballY][this.ballX] = 'o';
+    const renderX = Math.round(this.ballX); const renderY = Math.round(this.ballY);
+    if (renderY >= 0 && renderY < this.height && renderX >= 0 && renderX < this.width) cells[renderY][renderX] = 'o';
     const label = side === 'left' ? `${this.leftScore} - ${this.rightScore}` : `${this.rightScore} - ${this.leftScore}`;
     return `${frame(cells)}\nYou - Opponent: ${label}${this.over ? '  MATCH OVER' : ''}`;
   }
@@ -45,6 +59,24 @@ export class PongService {
     this.live.delete(ctx); ctx.tui?.setInputHandler(null);
     if (message) ctx.tui?.finishLive(`\x1b[?25h${message}`);
   }
+  chooseMode(ctx) {
+    if (!ctx.tui) return 'Pong is interactive; connect with an SSH shell (without a remote command).';
+    let selected = 0;
+    const modes = [['BOT', 'Play against the computer'], ['ONLINE', 'Play against another connected visitor']];
+    const render = () => this.draw(ctx, `PONG\n\n${modes.map(([name, description], index) => `${index === selected ? '>' : ' '} ${name.padEnd(7)} ${description}`).join('\n')}`, 'UP/DOWN arrows: choose    ENTER: select    Q: cancel');
+    ctx.tui.setInputHandler(input => {
+      if (input.includes('\x03') || /q/i.test(input)) { this.stop(ctx, '\x1b[?25hPong cancelled.'); return true; }
+      if (input.includes('\x1b[A') || input.includes('\x1bOA')) selected = (selected + modes.length - 1) % modes.length;
+      if (input.includes('\x1b[B') || input.includes('\x1bOB')) selected = (selected + 1) % modes.length;
+      if (input.includes('\r') || input.includes('\n')) {
+        const result = this.start(ctx, modes[selected][0].toLowerCase());
+        if (result !== '__LIVE__') ctx.tui?.finishLive(`\x1b[?25h${result}`);
+        return true;
+      }
+      render(); return true;
+    });
+    render(); return '__LIVE__';
+  }
   start(ctx, mode) {
     if (!['bot', 'online'].includes(mode)) return 'Usage: pong [bot|online]';
     if (!ctx.tui) return 'Pong is interactive; connect with an SSH shell (without a remote command).';
@@ -84,4 +116,4 @@ export class PongService {
   }
 }
 
-export function run({ arg, ctx, api }) { return api.pong.start(ctx, arg.toLowerCase() || 'bot'); }
+export function run({ arg, ctx, api }) { return arg.trim() ? api.pong.start(ctx, arg.toLowerCase()) : api.pong.chooseMode(ctx); }
diff --git a/test/games.test.js b/test/games.test.js
index 4fba865..ef613ee 100644
--- a/test/games.test.js
+++ b/test/games.test.js
@@ -26,6 +26,21 @@ test('pong bot can miss when its reaction is delayed', () => {
   assert.equal(game.rightY, 6);
 });
 
+test('pong paddle contact changes trajectory by hit position', () => {
+  const game = new PongGame(false);
+  game.leftY = 4; game.ballX = 2; game.ballY = 4; game.vx = -1; game.vy = 0;
+  game.tick('left', 'stay');
+  assert.equal(game.vx, 1);
+  assert.ok(game.vy < 0, 'upper-edge contact should send the ball upward');
+});
+
+test('pong flat returns accelerate slightly', () => {
+  const game = new PongGame(false);
+  game.leftY = 4; game.ballX = 2; game.ballY = 5; game.vx = -1; game.vy = 0;
+  game.tick('left', 'stay');
+  assert.equal(game.vx, 1.25);
+});
+
 test('live flappy consumes Space and exits on q', () => {
   let handler; let finished = ''; let writes = 0;
   const service = new FlappyService({ addScore() {}, getLeaderboard() { return []; }, getPlayerBest() { return 0; } });
@@ -66,3 +81,15 @@ test('live pong consumes arrow keys and exits on q', () => {
   handler('\x1b[A'); handler('\x1b[B'); handler('q');
   assert.match(finished, /left/);
 });
+
+test('pong mode picker selects online with arrow keys and enter', () => {
+  let handler; let finished = ''; let screen = '';
+  const service = new PongService({ addScore() {}, getLeaderboard() { return []; }, getPlayerBest() { return 0; } });
+  const ctx = { username: 'visitor', channel: { destroyed: false, write(value) { screen = value; } }, tui: {
+    setInputHandler(value) { handler = value; }, finishLive(value) { finished = value; }
+  } };
+  assert.equal(service.chooseMode(ctx), '__LIVE__');
+  assert.match(screen, /BOT/); assert.match(screen, /ONLINE/);
+  handler('\x1b[B'); handler('\r');
+  assert.match(finished, /Waiting for another player/);
+});