Want to find a technique to see how quickly your body and mind operate together? You’re in the right area. The internet’s new thumb wars are reaction time tests, like the one at http://reactiontimetestgame.com. Everyone thinks their fingers are faster than their pals’. There’s just one way to find out.

Think about this: You sit in front of a screen with your index finger ready, waiting for that color change or sign to appear. Heart pumping, eyes narrowing. The screen makes you want to see what’s next. Then the time comes, and your task is to hit the button faster than a cat jumps on a laser dot. The excitement never goes away.

Why should you care about how fast you react? It’s not just bragging rights. In video games, having fast reflexes can make a big difference. They’ll pay off while you’re playing a hard game of ping pong or when you swerve to avoid a pothole. Researchers say that sportsmen and gamers run their own secret Olympics in these exams, cutting milliseconds off their results like chefs chopping onions.

But things don’t always go as planned. If you tap too soon, you’ll get in trouble. If you wait too long, your pride will hurt. Haven’t we all had that annoying moment when your brain yells “Now!” just a little too late? That’s the split-second gap when champions are made and the rest of us are just bystanders.

Let’s talk about numbers. The average time it takes for a person to react is between 200 and 250 milliseconds. Some people do worse because they practice, cut off distractions, or merely have a nervous caffeine habit. People who are tired, stressed, or—worse—when someone coughs nearby shortly before the race could react more slowly. It’s the dog’s fault, right?

No one gets a perfect score on these examinations right away. Repetition works wonders, just like learning to whistle or juggle. Test, repeat, and prove your friend’s claims wrong (“I swear I was faster!”), and keep track of the score. You’ll get the feel of the rhythm, and you could even surprise yourself by doing your best.

Is there a trick to getting really fast times? There are tricks that work, including keeping your hand half-hovering, concentrating on your breathing, and obtaining eight hours of sleep. Some people think that chewing gum helps. Some people say that raw resolve is what wins. It’s a mix of science and superstition. The only sure way to avoid problems is to not sneeze at the wrong time.

One last thing: reaction time tests remind us that in a world that moves so quickly, it’s the simple things we do every day that make life so much fun. Have fun with your buddies, laugh about how close you came to losing, and keep your fingers moving. It’s easy to learn, fun to play, and always an excellent story to tell at your next party.