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Facebook Messenger has a hidden basketball game that can be played by sending a basketball emoji to someone and then tapping it to launch the game. The game is simple: flick the ball towards the hoop to score a point, and try to beat your high score. The game gets harder when you reach 10 points, as the hoop starts moving back and forth. This mini-game is a fun way to pass the time while waiting for replies and can spark some friendly competition with your friends.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to start the game | Send a basketball emoji in a Messenger conversation and then tap it |
| Game mechanics | Flick the ball towards the hoop to score a point |
| Difficulty | The speed of the flick doesn't matter, as the ball automatically moves to a certain height; only the direction matters |
| Scoring | The game keeps track of your high score |
| Encouragement | Different emojis appear depending on whether you make a basket or miss |
| Group chats | Messenger will tell you what other people's high scores are and will make the highest score the one to beat |
| Increasing difficulty | After 10 points, the hoop starts moving back and forth across the screen |
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What You'll Learn
How to access the game on Messenger
To access the basketball game on Facebook Messenger, you must first ensure that you have the latest version of the app installed on your device. This is important because the basketball game was introduced as part of an update, so you won't be able to play it unless your app is updated.
Once your app is updated, you can open a Messenger conversation and send a basketball emoji to someone. After you've sent the emoji, tap on it, and the game will launch. Note that this game is not available on the web version of Messenger. It is only available on the mobile app.
If you're using an Android device, you can find the basketball emoji under the "bell" tab in the emoji tray, next to the "send" arrow icon. If you're using an iOS device, change to the emoji keyboard, and you'll find the basketball emoji under the "activity" tab (the soccer ball icon).
Once you've tapped on the basketball emoji, the game will launch, and you can start playing! The objective is simple: flick the ball toward the hoop to score points. Don't worry about the speed of your flick, as the ball automatically moves to a certain height, so you only need to focus on the direction.
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Flicking the ball: speed and direction
To win at basketball on Messenger, you need to master the art of flicking the ball with precision and speed. Here are some tips to help you improve your performance:
The speed at which you flick the ball is crucial. A faster flick will result in a more powerful shot, which can help you score from longer distances. However, be mindful that a faster flick also reduces your margin for error. Practice controlling the speed of your flick to find the sweet spot that balances power and accuracy.
Direction is just as important as speed. When flicking the ball, aim for the centre of the hoop to increase your chances of success. Adjust the direction of your flick slightly to account for the backboard, especially when shooting from an angle. Use the backboard to your advantage by bouncing the ball off it and into the hoop.
To achieve the desired speed and direction, it's important to have a consistent flicking technique. Hold your device firmly and find a comfortable flicking motion that works for you. Some prefer a quick wrist action, while others find it more controllable to use their finger to swipe the screen. Experiment with different techniques to find your preferred style.
Remember that practice makes perfect. The more you play, the better you'll become at controlling the speed and direction of your shots. Focus on developing a smooth and consistent flicking motion, and soon enough, you'll be sinking baskets with ease.
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The game's three modes
The Basketball minigame on Facebook Messenger has three modes: Free, Time Limit, and Endless. In Free mode, you have 20 balls, and the game ends when you've thrown all of them. In Time mode, you have 60 seconds to score as many points as possible. In Endless mode, you have three lives, and the game ends when you've failed three times. The game becomes more challenging after every multiple of 10 points. At 10 points, the basket starts moving across the screen, and according to some sources, the hoop moves faster after 20 points.
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How to play with friends
To play basketball with your friends on Facebook Messenger, you need to first update your app to the latest version. Then, start a conversation with a friend or a group of friends and send them a basketball emoji. Tap on the emoji, and the game will launch. You can also customise your conversation's theme to basketball by tapping on the conversation name at the top of the screen, selecting the "Basketball" chat theme, and tapping "Select" in the bottom-right corner.
The game is simple: flick or swipe your finger in an upward motion to shoot the cartoon basketball through the hoop. The game is not about speed but direction, as the ball automatically moves to a certain height. You can also use a straight edge, like a ruler, to guide you as you toss the ball and improve your score. The basket is stable when you start playing, but once you pass 10 hoops, it will start moving slowly from side to side, making the game more challenging.
Your high scores will show up in the conversation thread, letting your friends know who has the high score. If you send a basketball emoji to a group chat, Messenger will tell you what the other people's high scores are and will make the highest score the one to beat. Each basket you make is met with an encouraging emoji, and when you miss, you get a sad one.
To play other games with your friends on Messenger, such as chess, you need to be on a call with them first. Go to https://messenger.com and open the conversation, then click the phone receiver icon. Once you're on the call, tap the controller icon at the bottom of your screen and tap a game you want to play. Your friend needs to tap the "Join" button to play with you.
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The game's evolution since 2016
In 2016, Facebook introduced a basketball minigame within its Messenger app. This game was launched to celebrate the college basketball season and join in on the fun of March Madness. While it wasn't the first game Facebook had released on Messenger, it was much easier to access than the previously released secret chess game.
To play the basketball game, users had to update their Messenger app, send a basketball emoji to someone, and then tap the emoji to initiate the game. The gameplay was simple: users had to flick the ball towards the hoop to score points, with the goal being to beat their high score. The speed of the flick didn't matter as the ball automatically moved to a certain height, so players only needed to focus on the direction of their flicks. The game kept track of the player's high score, and different emojis would appear depending on whether they made or missed a shot.
When played in a group chat, Messenger would display the high score to beat and make the hoop move faster for every ten consecutive shots made. The game's addictive nature, despite its simplicity, led to speculations about the potential for branded Messenger games and the role of Messenger in the future of mobile advertising.
Over time, the basketball game within Messenger gained popularity, with users expressing their love for it. However, some users speculated that the game might have been removed from iPhones due to Apple's policies regarding competing games on iMessage. As of 2020, there were discussions about the game's potential removal, but it is unclear whether it is still accessible as of 2023.
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Frequently asked questions
To access the game, update your Messenger app, open a conversation, and send a basketball emoji. Tap the emoji to bring up the game.
The game is simple: swipe the ball towards the hoop to score a point. The basket will start moving after 10 hoops, and the backboard will move in a diamond pattern after 30 hoops. There is no time limit.
It is important to have good technique. Use your index finger for more accurate shooting, and employ longer swipes for better accuracy. Wait for the basket to re-align with the ball before swiping.
Yes, you can play with friends. Send a basketball emoji to a group chat and Messenger will tell you everyone's high scores.
Yes, there is a secret chess game. To play, type “@fbchess play” into a chat and a chessboard will appear.
