Whack-a-mole: how many can you hit in 30 seconds?

Tap the moles, chain combos, grab the golden ones, and leave the bombs alone. Your score, reaction time and accuracy show at the end.

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๐Ÿ”จ

Ready?

30 seconds. Combos multiply your points.

๐Ÿน +1๐ŸŒŸ golden +3๐Ÿ’ฃ โˆ’3 & reset

How to score higher

Soft eyes, centre of the grid. Looking at the middle lets your side vision catch moles in every hole. Chasing one hole at a time is slower.
Protect your combo. Every five hits in a row raises your multiplier. One bomb or a missed tap drops it back to x1.
Stay light. Hover over the grid between moles instead of pulling back. Shorter moves mean faster hits.
Warm up. Most people score noticeably more on their third round than their first.

Why a silly game is good focus practice

Whack-a-mole mixes three things researchers like to measure: how fast you notice something (visual search), how fast you respond (reaction time), and how well you hold back from a wrong move (inhibition). A 30-second round won't change your brain, but it's a quick, honest snapshot, and it's a lot of fun to beat.

That mix of short, varied challenges is what SkillArena serves every day: four different games in about four minutes.

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SkillArena: Focus Training app icon
SkillArena: Focus Training

SkillArena is a free skill game for iPhone and iPad. Each day's Daily Arena mixes four short, different challenges for reflexes, focus and memory, and you can unlock new modes as you chase personal bests.

Free on the App Store

Questions

How do you play whack-a-mole online?

Press Start, then tap or click each mole as it pops up. You have 30 seconds. Hitting moles in a row builds a combo that multiplies your points. Golden moles are worth extra, and bombs cost you points and reset your combo.

What is a good whack-a-mole score?

It depends on your device and whether you use a mouse or a finger. Your personal best is saved, so the best comparison is with yourself or friends on the same kind of screen.

What does the reaction time show?

It is the average time between a mole appearing and you hitting it. Many people land in the 400 to 700 millisecond range in a busy game like this, which is slower than a simple reaction test because you also have to find the mole.

Why are there bombs?

Bombs train you to hold back as well as react. Stopping yourself from tapping the wrong thing is a real focus skill, often called inhibition.

Does it work on a phone?

Yes. It is built for touch first, and works with a mouse or trackpad too. Turn the sound on for the bonk.

Updated November 11, 2026.