diff --git a/game.go b/game.go
index faf1631..e2600c5 100644
--- a/game.go
+++ b/game.go
@@ -41,8 +41,6 @@ func applyAction(g *game.Match, a action) error {
 		return g.Apply(a.Player, 6)
 	case "7":
 		return g.Apply(a.Player, 7)
-	case "ping":
-		return errJustAPing
 	default:
 		return errWeirdAction
 	}
@@ -101,7 +99,7 @@ func gameActor(ctx context.Context, g *game.Match, dealer, chall person, join <-
 				broadcast(ctx, g, dealer, chall, obs)
 				g.NextGame()
 				broadcast(ctx, g, dealer, chall, obs)
-			case game.ErrWrongTurn, errJustAPing: // do nothing
+			case game.ErrWrongTurn: // do nothing
 			case errWeirdAction:
 				slog.WarnContext(ctx, "nonsense action", "from", a.Player, "action", a.Action)
 			default:
@@ -131,6 +129,9 @@ func playerActor(ctx context.Context, p person, actions chan<- action) {
 			}
 			return
 		}
+		if a.Action == "ping" {
+			continue
+		}
 		select {
 		case <-ctx.Done():
 			return
@@ -174,6 +175,5 @@ func gameOver(ctx context.Context, dealer, chall person, obs []observer) {
 
 var (
 	errWeirdAction  = errors.New("unknown action")
-	errJustAPing    = errors.New("just a ping")
 	errMatchExpired = errors.New("there is a time limit on matches please")
 )